Basketfuls of Blessings
The holidays have always been a special time of the year for me. I’ve always loved the excitement…the way everything feels so special. I have memories of being a child, my (large) family arriving on Christmas Eve with presents—enough to make any child’s eyes widen in abounding amazement. How can any reasonable person expect any child to go to sleep without getting to tear open every last gift shimmering and shining under the tree in pure, joyous, temptation?
Up until I lost my mom at 15, we would have holiday gatherings at my childhood home. Thanksgiving and Christmas stuck with me the most. My mom was always a light. She was constantly doing things for others—making gift baskets full of goodies, complete with her homemade pepper jelly and Caribbean seasoning, and fresh holly adornments from the holly tree in our yard. (I was always called to wrap the baskets with red cellophane paper.)
If nothing else indicated that it was Christmas, you’d know by the table neatly set with her collection of British fine China that only came out for special occasions. While my mom had a spirit of giving all year, that spirit just seemed to be amplified around the holidays. She blessed so many with her gifts (intangible and otherwise) and impacted so many with her kindness and love. Sometimes it felt like everyone knew her because she would strike up a conversation with just about anyone. While my time with my mom may have been cut short, her spirit is something I continue to carry with me. I still get excited during the holidays. I take time to enjoy the music and traditions and time with family. Everything, everyone, is a blessing.
Speaking of gifts and blessings, fortuknit was blessed to be able to host its first trunk show in November. It was on Black Friday—perfect timing for gift givers to come and shop from our collection of beautiful, handmade and unique gifts. You might remember from A Tale of Two Gold Needles earlier this year that my mom is the one who taught me to knit. In fact, I’m sure I have the interests I have today from watching her creativity combined with learning all the DIY tricks from my dad. It truly does bring a smile to my face to see people take joy in experiencing something like our first trunk show and buying items that are made with love and can be gifted with love, too. I really can’t wait to have more trunk shows in the future.
While the day started off rainy and cold, the sun eventually brightened up the day. We had beautiful weather and it was an overall incredible day. I feel so grateful to have been able to host the show and have the support of friends, family and clients (fortuknit friends). If you couldn’t make it to the S’mores & Pours Trunk Show but want to purchase items, I’m still taking orders, so please do head to the shop once you’re done reading 😊. Links to new items are down below.
And still, more blessings. I am heavily involved with my alumnae association. One of my colleagues recently organized a donation collection for feminine care products where she called alumnae all over to collect items and donate locally. In doing so, I had the pleasure of connecting with the Center For Family Services in Camden, NJ. They just so happened to be having a drive at the time I reached out to them to donate and they had a particular need for feminine care products for school-aged girls. Since then, the organization has held a special place in my heart. You might be aware that a portion of fortuknit sales is dedicated to giving back. In addition to that, starting on Giving Tuesday (November 29th) through Friday, December 16th, you can join fortuknit in making a contribution to the Center For Family Services’ Holiday Gift Project. The money will go directly to children in need so that they can have the wide-eyed excitement of enjoying presents this holiday season.
Thank you for your donation!
Finally, I wish all my readers a safe, happy, healthy and fortuknit holiday season. Take time for self-care, family and loved ones, and focus on what’s important. See you again in the New Year!
And…if you’re just not sure what they’ll like, let them decide by buying them a fortuknit gift card.
