Retro Christmas

During the month of December my blog has been taken over by my characters. Elizabeth Lane is the heroine of Return Engagement, and Nikki Lane is the heroine of The Best Selling Toy Of The Season.

Elizabeth: Welcome to Elaine’s blog, readers! Are you ready for Christmas?

Nikki: My Christmas shopping is finally done!

Elizabeth: What did you get Tommy? You were having a hard time deciding.

Nikki: Oh, I found him a leather bag for his computer. He’ll just love it! Now, tell me what we’re doing today.

Elizabeth: Today we’re talking about decorating a themed Christmas tree.

Nikki: I don’t ever do a theme tree. The kids make most of our ornaments.

Elizabeth: Elaine always has two trees. This year she put her theme tree in the dining room, and the family tree is in the living room.

Nikki: I guess her theme trees are pretty. What’s the theme this year?

Elizabeth: A Retro Christmas.

Nikki: Wow, that’s cool! Where’d she find the retro ornaments?

Elizabeth: Estate sales are a good source for retro ornaments. So are little junk and antique stores.

Nikki: What about Ebay? I just love Ebay. Yesterday I was bidding on an antique pie safe, and I thought I had the winning bid, but at the last minute I lost it. Those last minute bids ought to be outlawed! I had already picked out the place for the pie safe, and I was even going to put a pie in it. Tommy likes pumpkin pie, but I don’t know if that….

Elizabeth: Yes, Ebay is a wonderful source for retro ornaments. That’s where Elaine bought most of hers.

Nikki: What keywords did she use?

Elizabeth: Vintage Christmas ornaments.

Nikki: So how old are the ones she bought?

Elizabeth: She has some from the 1930’s, some from the 1940’s, and a couple from the 1970’s, but most of them are from the fifties or sixties.

Nikki: You should show the readers a few pictures.

Elizabeth: I intend to.

Nikki: What kind of tree did she use? Before I married Tommy I always had an artificial tree, but it couldn’t be too big because our trailer was only a single wide. Tommy always wants a live tree though. Of course, people with allergies might not want a real tree. I’m having one this year I think, but…

Elizabeth: Elaine used an artifical tree because she wanted to put it up so early, but if she really wanted to be authentic she would have put up a cedar tree. They were very popular in the South.

Nikki: Better be careful with her lights if they’re old too.

Elizabeth: Elaine has authentic lights from the 1950's, but they gave out so much heat she decided to buy some LCD lights that are the same size as the real, retro lights. she said they looked okay.

Nikki: Since Elaine's tree is in the dining room she should find a retro tablecloth.

Elizabeth: She looked at the retro tablecloths but decided to buy a new one made in a vintage design.

Nikki: I didn’t know you could find those. Not that I want one, but someday I might.

Elizabeth: They’re easy to find. A lot of people love the retro look now.

Nikki: Okay, you’ve convinced me. Next year I’m doing a theme tree too. I know! I’ll do a tropical theme. Wouldn’t it be cute to put Santa hats on flamingos?

Elizabeth: Yes, I really think it would.

Nikki: Do we have a contest today?

Elizabeth: Of course. All the readers have to do is leave a comment suggesting themes for Elaine to do next year. The winner gets an electronic copy of my story, Return Engagement.

Nikki: Merry Christmas, raders, er.. I mean readers. Hope Santa is good to you.