Getting into the Holiday Spirit

I'm attempting to write this blog post while in a semi-delirious state.  You see, a few neighbors and I have been carefully planning our building's annual holiday party, which takes place Friday.  As in years past, we selected the menu, hired the caterer, bought the alcohol and mixers, chose the music, and decorated our party room.  It's the decorating that usually requires the most effort, which explains why we spent five hours last night trimming the tree, hanging wreaths, pulling tables and chairs out of storage, and creating a festive scene that (hopefully) our neighbors will appreciate.  Wish us luck.

Speaking of holiday decorating, I want to share some particularly jolly photos, which capture Wilbury Park, a Neo-Palladian house in southern England, outfitted in its holiday finery.  The beauty of Wilbury Park's Christmas decor lies in its simplicity, with decorations more or less limited to greenery and a few tastefully trimmed trees.  Of course, a house as lovely as this requires little more than some boughs of holly, so decking the halls with a modicum of restraint is understandable and advisable.

And until next week, when I hope to have my sanity restored, I wish you a pleasant weekend.

All photos from House & Garden, December 2003, Melanie Acevedo photographer.