Have you taken a moment to drink in your surroundings today? What color are the leaves outside your window? When you take a deep breath, does it smell like pie-scented candles or crisp trampled leaves? Are you layered up in a flannel or chunky sweater enjoying a hot tea or pumpkin flavored treat? This is the sentiment of the season, after all: To be intentional with our gratitude, and take time to appreciate who and what we have.
Publisher, Wyatt Layman
My most valued heirloom doesn’t necessarily lend itself to decorating, but it’s still never more present than during the holidays when I’m surrounded by family. The 1972 GMC pickup featured on the cover was handed down to me by my grandfather, Donald ‘Don’ Layman. Of course, it is a beautiful truck, but its meaning goes so much deeper. For me, the emerald truck brings to mind early memories of my grandpa taking me out for ice cream, cruising around looking at timber, or picking me up from elementary school.
For my grandfather, its meaning was even stronger. This GMC truck was a symbol of his American Dream. My grandfather was born into a large family in a rural community still reeling from the great depression. His family had a small farm and logged for a living, skidding the logs out of the woods using mules and horses. Eventually, he founded his own sawmill, and later a trucking company as well. In 1972, he ordered that beloved pickup brand new, but most importantly to him—he paid cash. It wasn’t about money; it was about ownership. The truck was his version of a framed ‘first dollar.’ It served as a symbol that he was a self-made man. Today, grandpa's GMC serves as a reminder of a man I still admire deeply and the lessons he taught me in the years we shared. I drive it regularly, but never more so than around the holidays when I reflect on memories of him at our Thanksgiving table or handing out gifts from under the tree.
Managing Editor, Michelle Bazis
There’s no denying that nostalgia reigns supreme this time of year and gatherings start leaning sentimental. While retailers are ready to exploit our holiday weaknesses as early as back-to-school, in our home, seasonal traditions begin when the leaves start to change. This is when bins are pulled from storage and a carefully curated vignette comes to life. By mid-October, the front porch is decked out in autumnal swag, and once November arrives, family heirlooms start to take center stage.
My paternal grandparents were antiquers, so my family heirlooms - like my great-grandmother's stoneware butter churn - hold stories much older than theirs. My grandmother 'Nannie' was a homemaker, and nothing warms my heart after temperatures drop like her southern comfort food recipes prepared with her well-loved kitchenware. Her hand-sewn quilts add warmth to the guest room while a collection of classic novels alongside vintage baskets adds a perfectly rustic look to gathering spaces. The fall is the perfect season to display my grandfather's hand carved corn on the cob and apples—'Papa' was a bit of a craftsman and a bird hunter, so decorating with a collection of pheasant feathers keeps his memory front of mind.
The Sentiment
Of course, we don’t all have family heirlooms, but incorporating sentimental symbols into your surroundings is a great way to engage a thankful mindset throughout the holidays. A few ways you could do this include framing your favorite photos from the year, creating a soundtrack of songs tied to special memories, exchanging handmade gifts with friends, or cooking recipes inspired by places you’ve traveled.
Perhaps you're stepping out on your own and ready to shift the tone of the holidays for future generations of your family. This could be the year you discover special items that will be celebrated for years to come. Think on the intangibles that will last beyond the physical. In Wyatt's case, the quality time with his grandfather, and his lessons in hard work. For me, the recipes and thoughtful crafts that make loved ones feel cared for. When the 'things' are gone, it's the sentiment that lasts—the heart of the heirloom.
In 1972, he ordered that pickup brand new. Today, it serves as a reminder of a man I still admire.