She Magazine DECEMBER 2015 | Page 86

deck the halls Higher Grounds Photography F For her youngest grandson, Tammy has a Grinch tree that he helps her decorate each year. Another favorite tree among the grandchildren is the candy tree, upon which Tammy hangs giant candy canes and peppermints. The pieces that mean the most to her, however, are the ones handmade and given to her by her children and grandchildren. While there are many beautiful decorations in Tammy’s home, there are some – such as these – that a price cannot be placed upon… for they were made out of love. While she enjoys living in Christmas Land, nothing gives Tammy quite as much joy as being with family during this time of year. She learned the importance of this during one particular Christmas season when the family was struck with hard times. “One year when my girls and I were having a tough time fi nancially, we didn’t have the extra money for the tree. I was down about it, but my girls picked my spirits up when they went outside, found and cut a small Charlie Brown Christmas tree, and brought it in. They then made a stand using a soup can and decorated the tree with handmade ornaments out of cardboard and glitter. We didn’t have a lot of money that year, but we had something much better – each other.” A tradition she’s proud to have started in her family is spending Christmas Eve together. “Traditions equal memories… memories that can never be taken, for they last a lifetime.” One tradition she’s exceptionally excited about is their Chinese gift exchange game for the adults. The grandchildren get to participate, too, as they draw names and purchase a small gift for their fellow cousin or sibling. “Everyone gets a gift and we have so much fun!” 86 DECEMBER 2015 “ . . . WHILE SHE ENJOYS LIVING IN ChristmasLand, NOTHING GIVES TAMMY QUITE AS MUCH joy AS BEING with family... Tammy is looking forward to ending 2015 with family and friends, and she anticipates having them over to enjoy her own little snow-globe world of wonder. While Christmas 2016 is a year away, Tammy is already making plans. “As excited as I am about this Christmas, I’m even more excited about next year’s, because I will have a new great grandbaby to share all of this with. My first great grand!” This new addition to the Blizard family will undoubtedly grow up to love Christmas just as much as Tammy does. Tammy Blizard resides in Florence, South Carolina, with her husband William. She is the owner of Affordable House Keeping and the loving mother of Monique Bryant Turner, Brandy Bryant Caulder, and Billie Gayle Bryant. SHEMAGAZINE.COM