by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by Blandine Joannic from Pixabay.)
“All good things must come to an end, you know.”
I can still hear my father saying that.
Usually, he’d make that pronouncement as summer vacation drew to a close and we were packing to go home.
And on this, Twelfth Night, the official end of Christmas season 2025, I was thinking about that as I took our outdoor decorations down.
(Royalty-free image by Woon Kuongchin from Pixabay.)
It seems to me, that, as one “good thing” comes to a close, we have multiple exciting things to which to look forward.
Not to mention memories of what was best about what we’ve just experienced.
For Christmas 2025, one of my favorite memories will be looking out our window at the rain–and seeing our Christmas lights glow through California’s record storms.
But there were also the decorations we put out.
(Royalty-free image by Bella H. from Pixabay.)
A patchwork of special memories
Every Christmas, I hang up a small ceramic elf under a mistletoe leaf.
Several blocks from where my parents lived was a family-owned florist. And every Christmas season, they’d stock some of the most whimsical, imaginative decorations–many of them handmade.
My mom bought the elf from them, and gave him to me for Christmas, several years before she passed away.
Now, that elf evokes memories of snowy Christmas trips back to Wilmington from the West Coast, to visit with my mom.
(Royalty-free image by Alexander Kliem from Pixabay.)
An L.A. memory
Near the elf, usually, is a tiny, orange three-legged pig.
The Christmas season that I moved to Los Angeles, and went to Olvera Street with a friend, I bought him at one of the small stores for less than 75 cents.
At the time, I had no job, and very little money. I’d had a tough search, between employers that just weren’t hiring and jobs that weren’t a good fit.
But we went to Olvera Street’s las posadas event and had a wonderful time.
Besides the procession, we loved the carols in Spanish, and the pinata. In fact, we scrambled for candy along with a lot of other “tall kids” when it broke!
And I bought the pig, thinking, “Things will be easier next year.”
They were–and I’ve never forgotten how the festive feeling of las posadas made a rough road smoother.
(Royalty-free image by Maria Moczydlak from Pixabay.)
A glowing memory
And finally, we also put out votive candle glasses, with rainbow-colored insets.
These belonged to my favorite uncle, who would host Christmas every year when I was a teenager.
Those votives glowed on his coffee table. A fire crackled in the fireplace, with the tree nearby. Of course, there were dozens of packages underneath it, as well as boxes of candy, cookies and nuts sitting in the living room.
My uncle knew how to keep Christmas. He loved giving, and loved people. Seeing his votives glowing in our living room always takes me back to those family celebrations–some treasured memories.
Going forward
As we put away the decorations, I’m most looking forward to some special immersive events, this year. (Sadly, COVID still forces me to isolate from the in-person ones!)
But if you are out and about, as many people are, there are some in-person events you might enjoy:
“Crafternoons” at Feline Good Social Club, Long Beach.
Long Beach’s cat lounge has multiple “purr-fect” events, featuring their 40+ adoptable kitties. You can also come in and hang out with their sweet felines, either by booking a reservation online or as a walk-in, depending on available space.
However, I especially like “Crochet with Cats”, which happens monthly on a Sunday afternoon.
According to their website, all materials and supplies are included for this one-hour session, and their next “Crochet with Cats” event is listed as happening on Sunday, January 25th. Currently (purrently?) they show 14 spaces available.
They also feature yoga sessions, sound baths and a “Meow and Chow” event that sounds perfect for anyone who can’t actually have a kitty to get their “feline fix”, and all proceeds support their rescue and adoption programs.
Feline Good Social Club is located at 301 Atlantic Avenue (corner of Atlantic and Third) in downtown Long Beach. They’re open Thursdays through Mondays, 11 am to 6 pm.
(Photo courtesy of Museum of Make Believe, and used with permission.0
Treasure hunts at Museum of Make Believe, Laguna Beach
As I’ve mentioned before, Museum of Make Believe is magical.
Think 1,000 square feet of magic: an enchanted woodland, located in Laguna Beach.
Storytelling and creativity take center stage, as guests get invited to go “treasure hunting” among the trees and flowers of the handcreated Storybook Forest!
According to Museum of Make Believe’s Facebook page, they now have three treasure hunts available for visitors: a picture-and-color one for the youngest magic-makers in the audience; a more challenging one for us “big kids”, involving a search for a magic word; and a much harder one which is for anyone who loves a challenge!
While I see two of these listed on their information page, you will be able to find out more about the picture-and-color adventure by emailing them, at info@museumofmakebelieve.org.
Exhibiting at Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa
July 17th seems far away–now.
But, can you believe that that’s the opening day for the Orange County Fair, in Costa Mesa? And that competition guides are schedule to go online by February, according to the Fair’s website?
Here’s the link to stay updated on 2026 Orange County Fair competitions and contests. There’s also a link to sign up to receive the latest news in your email.
The 2026 Orange County Fair will run from Friday, July 17th, through Sunday, August 16th at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.
And–that wraps it up, for now! Hope your memories of Christmas, 2025 are among those you treasure, and that 2026 is full of special events to which you’re looking forward.