

Jessica Elf
The Christmas Elves traditionally arrive at Highclere on December 1st but this is not a usual year and they have arrived early to give us a head start. Traditionally, elves are sent by Santa Claus from the North Pole on a special mission to keep an eye on us all and how we all behave in the lead up to Christmas. Often, by this time of year, perhaps not quite as well as we should be.
Conventionally they wear green or red outfits with large, pointy ears. They spend much of the rest of the year making toys in Santa’s workshop and taking care of his reindeer. Some people think this workshop is in a hidden place in Lapland, others that is located in a distant part of Canada. Wherever it is, there is obviously not only a factory but also a major distribution hub to rival Amazon’s biggest operation as well.

Chief Elf Sally
Part of the reason that we do not know where the elves live is because they are related to the hidden folk of Norse mythology, the “álfar”, also known as “huldufólk”, (the hidden folk). Santa Claus is the chief elf, “chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf” to quote from the poem “The night before Christmas”.
Sally in the gift shop is Highclere’s Chief Christmas Elf, wearing tinsel to keep her in a suitable frame of mind and working ceaselessly. The other name for Sally and her team is “nisse” which may be derived from the old Norse “niðsi”, meaning “dear little relative”. Sally knows she constantly needs more relatives and more help. This past week in particular she has been calling in extra elves as it all became rather busy as the Castle was decorated. She was particularly thrilled that the reindeer elves arrived as Highclere’s herd is now gathered on the lawns outside the Castle.

Paul Shiny Upatree Elf
Sally knows that no two elves are the same: some are smaller than a baby dormouse while others are bigger than the biggest Christmas tree. Each elf has its own name and special duties and they are very difficult to spot because of their extremely rapidly running legs and silent movements. In fact, humans can only see elves when the elves themselves actually want to be seen, which is probably why whenever Sally needs her elves, she can never find them. Sally’s legs get quite tired looking for her elves.
Paul Shiny Upatree is a very reliable elf for Sally with his reverence and knowledge of nature (he is a gardener) and he helps her most days.

James the Giggling Elf
James the Giggling Elf was supposed to make stands for Christmas trees but he was often invisible when he was most needed, whilst John the Manager Limerick Elf was never invisible and, as with his traditional characteristics, he played pranks if he was not happy. Sally, Chief Elf, knows that Bolly Christmas Mantleshelf Elf and Sonny Garland Elf are very steady and not too tall and not too small, in fact, practically perfect in every day.

Quick Elf Luis and John Limerick Elf
All the elves think that traditions are very important and “nisse” never like changes in the way things have always been done. The colours of all the decorations this year match the elves, being red and green. Some of the elves wear tops with lights on them which is very useful as Luis the quick elf runs so fast you can never see him. Eorl Alabaster Snowball elf (Geordie) is highly intelligent and the only elf at the North Pole with two university degrees, one from Oxford and the other from his wife.
Sally has long planning lists to bring order and harmony into December’s world, from decorating all the Christmas trees, the rooms inside and out, brushing the reindeer every day and wrapping all the gifts being posted to all the best people. Every day there are more lists to dispatch:
Biscuits and books
Presents for cooks
Scarves and ginger jars
Pens and pads for writing memoirs
Trays and tea,
Gifts to open with glee.
And so, Sally and her elves have very little spare time until Christmas Day. That is a special day reflecting on all they have done and thinking what they can do and how they can live well in the next year. At the end of the day, just like in the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, they say together:
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future”.
An enchanting, beautifully written Highclere Christmas story!
What a lovely room! I didn’t see one elf in it. They must have been hiding! 🙂
Yes awohl
Do you ever have a theme where each room is decorated in decades gone by of your home? If so, which is your favorite Era or decorated area of your home? Thanks for sharing this. ☺
I will give it some thought – we tend to have an overall coherence each year rather than each room being different. Except that outside looks at natural stories..
Lady Carnarvon, a wonderful Christmas story. The Elf with the 2 university degrees, he has to be very special! Best Wishes To All, Cheryl
He is!!!
What a delightful description of Christmas preparations at Highclere! One of my favorite Christmas memories is that of attending the Downton Abbey Christmas gala. The castle was so beautifully decorated and we had such a lovely time. Thank you to you and all the elves. It was a magical evening!
Thank you – I am so glad we had so many parties last year and thank you for coming here. May 2021 be full of people and laughter again
Merry Christmas to Everyone at Highclere Castle and Prayer’s for a great 2021 and beyond.
It looks beautiful, like every year.
Thank you for sharing it it brings a wonderful feeling all over, especially during this difficult year.
God Bless…
The castle looks lovely and it was nice to acknowledge the word hard work. I like how you wove the story together with it’s final line.
Well I would say you have some really dedicated and fun-loving elves at your Castle 🙂 such a fun blog to read today. You made my Monday morning
How lovely, we have seen Christmas being addressed (and obviously dressed) everywhere here in the States too. My husband and I hope it will bring cheer to a very down year. Being careful, Christmas for us thus year will be a very special Tea.
I love this beautiful place! When I look at it I see the beauty from the past and the present. Oh to actually see it in person would be a dream come true! Downtown Abbey had me hooked so to know that you can actually visit this place is exhilarating! I will begin to save money to visit one day! I live in America. I can’t wait!! Maybe next Christmas!
Donna Parcus,
Do what you can to save up as it is SO worth the trip across the pond to visit Highclere and it’s beautiful grounds. Plan a couple days visit as there is much history, beauty, graciousness to take in and especially if you can stay for tea! Do be sure to purchase tickets to tour the interior of the castle of course including the Egyptian exhibit in the lower level, then stroll about to the gardens, the animals in the meadows, the follies and the of course the gift shop as it is filled with many lovely items! Happy planning! Something wonderful for you (and all of us!) to look forward to in 2021!
Take care and remain well.
Oh lovely. Hope everyone has a Merry Little Christmas.
Thanks Lady Carnarvon for sharing, we were early in doing our decorating as well since we are still on Furlough. Since we had the time and needed something to cheer us up, we went ahead as our neighbors were watching. Hopefully seeing our house all lit up outside will get them in the mood. As we have our Thanksgiving holiday this week, maybe they will be in the mood on the weekend.
As I have your Christmas book, we went and looked to see what we could go ahead and make as we were having a friend over. We chose the White onion soup and Focaccia bread as she was bring over Cottage pie. Yum to all, will definitely make again. I’ll be posting pictures on the FB page.
Happy Holidays to all!!
Sandy Newton Florida
Thank you and on Instagram today I finished off my mincemeat !
So beautiful! This is Thanksgiving week for us here in the US. So thankful to hear from you every Monday morning when I get my desk at work!
Lovely decorations and what a nicely written blog for a wonderful season. Merry Merry Christmas!
What a fun post to read on a dreary morning here in NYC! Wish I could buy James the Giggling Elf a pint at the pub, he looks like a fun person to be around. Thanks to you, Lady Carnarvon, and James, for bringing a smile to my face today!
Giggling James Elf is so missing the pubs..
Dear Lady Carnarvon
Such a jolly post. Highclere must look splendid when the elves have completed their work. I enjoyed the in progress photos. Seeing the tree in the great hall reminded me of the Downton Abbey Christmas episodes.
I realize that you and the Earl have another home on the estate so wonder how much time you spend among the holiday decorations at your manor house? Christmas past must have seen some grand parties which I doubt you are able to have during COVID. I’m pleased to have a glimpse at the beauty created by your staff.
Wishing all of you a happy Christmas and better days in the year to come.
Cate
We are normally more in the Castle than this autumn and normally collapse there over the holiday period but this is not a normal year
Thank-you Lady Carnarvon for your story this morning. Mondays are always sweeter after reading your blog. I’m truly enjoying all your Instagram live posts and this morning in the kitchen was a favourite for me. I plan to reread your Christmas book this week.
Stay well and safe,
MaryAnn Rice
Springboro, Ohio.
Lovely post. The happy faces reminded me of how genuinely friendly all of the Highclere staff were!
Blessings to all!
Querida Lady Carnarvon,
Maravillosa casa, y un gran honor conservarla y cuidarla… especialmente en Navidad.
Gracias por contárnoslo.
So precious time !
Best regards from France
Sincerely
Angeline Mattiocco
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Christmas cheer is certainly coming early this year, a welcome splash of colour and family values. The Somerset elves will be out soon, watching over the grand children to make sure they are well behaved in the lead up to Christmas. We have two elves, Aefelwine and Aefelweard. Aefelwine is apparently my elf because his name has wine in it and Aefelweard is my husbands because his name sounds like its weird (like Grandad apparently). Each week the elves stealthily move around the house and position themselves where they can observe. No one dares to appear to be looking for them, but there are squeals of delight when they are spotted. I can see there is going to be a lot more mischief this year, to make up for a tough year. Hopefully yours will not be too naughty either, and they will bring you joy and the festive spirit.
Jane
Such a lovely story, thanks for spreading Holiday cheer early, fun to see the “elves” of Highclere!
But one is causing mischief: i am having troubles posting here and placing an order for the “Christmas box” from the Gift Shop to be sent to Florida. Help little good elf!
I will ask Chief Sally Elf to help – could you email [email protected]
I love this post! This has given me the Christmas spirit. In light of everything going on in the world your post has given us all a bit of happiness and brighten our days. Thank you.
Delightful story! Wishing you all a blessed Christmas.
Lady Carnarvon,
This is truly a heart-warming, giggling post to read!! What a lovely way to imagine the pre-holiday fun at Highclere! Thanks for giving my husband and me a wonderful start as he “let” me read the post to him. Your Christmas book in on our coffee table.
Many happy days to go from now until the Jolly Old Elf visits you and all at the Castle.
Hoping that the Spirit of Christmas lingers long throughout the New Year,
Martha
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
What a fun read this morning. You are so creative and such a wonderful writer. Your blog this morning has definitely put me in the Holiday spirit. As I prepare for Thanksgiving this Thursday, I have already started lists for the day after. That is when we’ll get our tree and start our decorating. I could use a few of your elves. ☺️
Have a wonderful week,
Pam ( from North Carolina)
Absolute hygge m’Lady, well done!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
My copy of “Christmas at Highclere” is on the kitchen table ready to share it’s wonders! Thank you for this behind-the-scenes look at how it all happens. My mother was from Sweden, and the tomten are elves that take care of the birds & animals, help without being seen, and make some mischief to keep things interesting. Your elf, Luis, might make some delicious cocktails to keep everyone hydrated! You have truly wonderful friends, and give us all inspiration. The decorating is gorgeous. Did they use lambs-ear, the pale soft green, on the fireplace mantle? I might try the same.
Thank you for the wonderful photos and stories. In a few days, we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the USA, and despite the challenges we all face, there is much to be thankful for. Your weekly writings are among them. I hope you and your loved ones continue to stay well, and Happy Thanksgiving from my little corner of the world. Bless you.
Best regards,
Charlotte Merriam Cole
Dear Lady Carnarvon, Everything looks so wonderful, and another lovely read. I love all the Elves names, they brought a smile to my face. Thank you.
Best wishes
Lorraine.xx
A wonderful blog!
It’s nice to see and read about all the incredible, behind the scenes workings, of such a magical place. Thank you, and the fantastic elves, who make it happen!
A beautiful enchanting story to lift our spirits . You must have all the good and helpful elves helping you I could certainly do with some in my home .
Such a lovely tale!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Well you have he succeeded in tickling my funny bone once again with your charming description of your elves and their habits. It has given this Monday morning a lovely start to the day. I can’t wait to see the pictures of Highclere in the coming Mondays leading up to Christmas Day. It is the best time of the year and you decorate so beautifully.
Fondly,
Diana
South Florida
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
What a charming and delightful Monday story.
Beautiful pictures of various rooms in the Castle. Unique nicknames for the Castle’s “Elf” staff.
Does the gift shop sell jarred mincemeat filling for export to the United States? I enjoy mincemeat pie with cream this time of year, but it seems to be getting harder to find on the store shelves at the local market.
Everyone in the United States willll be celebrating Thanksgiving this week Thursday. Christmas season will begin the day after. Despite the COVID-19, we have much to be thankful for.
Until next Monday, keep looking for the “elf on the shelf”.
Perpetua Crawford
We cannot export any food to the USA because of USA customs ..
Good Morning,
It is VERY NICE to see some of the rooms used in Downton Abby and the ENORMOUS Xmas tree still stands TALL in the large room. It sure bring back many warm fuzzy feeling to these old bones today.
Please extend my warmest wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and staff!
Sincerely,
John Roberts
Tonawanda, N.Y.
U.S.A.
So excited for this behind the scene look ahead of our 2021 Christmas Visit!
I am glad and I am looking forward to welcoming our guests this year –
Lady Carnarvon, as lovely as this entire blog is, and as enchanting as the story is, my eye keeps going to the gorgeous green silk wallpaper. It struck me as the finest I’ve ever seen on my visit several years ago. I haven’t changed my opinion. Thanks for the inspiring post about all your elves. I’m smiling on a Monday morning – a lovely thing.
Thank You so much for sharing this lovely story and the photos – what a delicate room!
Best wishes to You and all the elves – greetings from Austria!
Thanks for an amazing and funny blog. We all need positive humor and joy in our lives now. This Texas Hill Country lady looks forward to every Monday so that a new blog can lift my spirits. I am never disappointed. I wish joy and blessings on everyone as we begin the holiday period. May we find pleasure and joy in the little things and enjoy our gift of another day. Blessings on everyone.
Thank you and take care!
Your blog from Highclere is always as enchanting as it is inspiring! I love how you make life at the castle come alive and we can all shut our eyes and imagine what a morning at Highclere might be like. I’m curious about where the Christmas tree comes from? Is it from a forest nearby?
Merry Christmas!
Brenda, San Antonio, Texas
We buy the trees from a local tree farm – we then collect them all on a tractor!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I so enjoy your blog–always fun and delightful–this time elves and ‘the hidden people’.
I was given a beautiful little book (The Little Book of the Hidden People by Alda Sigmundsdottir) a few years ago by my sister who had traveled and thoroughly enjoyed Iceland. This little book is filled with wonderful tales about the hidden people. Cheers to Iceland for having an official Chief Druid that communicates with the hidden people, and helps when the hidden people get ornery!
Wish we had a few hidden people here in Massachusetts!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Dear Lady Carnarvon, and your family.
Julie Tirrell
Cape Cod–Barnstable MA
Excellent blog this week
We need all the humour and good will you so ably posted
Many thanks o
I loved hearing about the Highclere “elves”. If I lived in the UK, I’d volunteer to be a Highclere “elf” myself. I’m sure I could be put to good use helping out – if only to keep all the elves supplied with cups of tea and biscuits to keep their strength up!! Highclere must be a magical place at Christmas. I look forward to seeing more photos in future blogs. By the way, did you know there are White House “elves”? The White House has a team of volunteers who help with the decorations every year. It’s on my bucket list to help out there one year.
That sounds lovely too!
Love your stories and your wonderful elves!!!! Your home is exquisitely decorated for the Christmas season! ❤️
Thank you for a “peek” at Highclere’s Christmas cheer! My grandsons are looking forward to the arrival of “Trophy” (their name for Elf on the Shelf). Trophy has been known to climb light fixtures and Christmas trees! I think there is another elf who has worked very hard all year to make Highclere the very best! I will call her Lady Keeper of the Flame Elf!
Lady Carnavon,
Can you hear my laughter from the country over the pond? What a delightful, magical blog this morning. It appears the elf with the two degrees is a might special in your eyes.
How Beautiful.
Connecticut Greetings once again Lady Carnarvon,
You hit another “home run” with this Monday Blog given it’s humor, photos, traditions and upbeat spirit as I woke to a rainy, gloomy Monday and wet week ahead here in Connecticut, USA. So love seeing that given these horrid pandemic days you and Lord Carnarvon are keeping up your Christmas traditions for you and your staff and all of us who peak into your lives to enjoy! During this week of our “Thanksgiving” I am truly grateful for your Blog, your weekly Pod Casts and all of the books you’ve so beautifully authored.
Continue to remain well and I hope and pray this Christmas season can have some joy for you and your families even though you may not all be able to gather together as in past years as we may not as well.
We here in Canada are convinced that Santa Claus is in our country, as his mailing address is Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H 0H0, which is a Canadian postal code. And did you know that every letter gets answered, thanks to the many elves at Canada Post? So many elves at work this time of year! Thank you for a delightful post this morning, and the lovely pictures, perhaps most especially the magnificent ceiling of the Green Room!! Merry Christmas from Fredericton, Canada.
Ho Ho Ho
What a perfect day to receive your blog. This afternoon I will be going to History San Jose which is a park that depicts San Jose CA at the turn of the century (1900). Each year my San Jose State University Alumni groups decorates a tree for a month long event called “Christmas in the Park.” Usually this event takes place in the downtown plaza and draws over 500,000 people. However this is not a normal year so we are doing a drive through event at the History San Jose Park instead. Our tree this year will be in front of an authentic one room schoolhouse which is owned by the College of Education at the university. It will feature decorations by local schoolchildren done is the style of the 1850s which of course is when the Gold Rush was in California. Today is damp and drizzly so I will be the hot chocolate elf, bringing an airpot of Mocha Cappuccino for the worker elves to enjoy while decorating. Every year this event kicks off the official holiday season for my friends, husband and myself. Even a damp, drizzly day and COVID cannot dampen our holiday spirit. From the Golden State to you and your family in faraway Yorkshire, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
For the past 10+ years, the children (& now grandchild ❣) & I have joined my husband at the Senior Residential Community where he works to help him decorate the public rooms – Bistro, Dining room, Library, Community room, Lobby, Foyer, etc. It is one of the highlights of the Christmas season for us as we so enjoy interacting with the Residents, our friends.
Though only 2 of us are able to make it because of restrictions, we are especially excited this year as we haven’t been able to do our weekly visits for 6+ months. We are so looking forward to seeing everybody! (I’m not sure how much we’ll actually accomplish, given all the catching up we need to do ). Well worth the 2 covid-19 tests we had to take (a wise precaution we were happy to comply with) in order to be safely admitted to perform our tasks.
It is a privilege to decorate & one we thoroughly enjoy (though, I must admit to total exhaustion afterwards & gratitude that I have a year to recover! ). I suspect Sally might feel similarly…
She seems to find a large gin and tonic helps …
Thank You, Lady Fiona, for the Warmth of your Message . I have never looked forward to Christmas and the Season in General more than I have this Year. Your Book , Christmas at Highclere, lies near me on my Coffee Table.
We’re on the same page here Lady Carnarvon – decorating early. This is the earliest we’ve every hung up our Christmas lights! What a joy to see our home lit up on my dark early morning and late evening walks with my dog. I’ve been watching Downton Abbey (again!) and just finished the last episode of Season 2 which ends with the Christmas Special and Matthew asking Mary to marry him, down on one knee in the snow and she accepts. My husband pops in once in awhile to watch and says, “And to think we were there! I want to return to Highclere Castle again.” You have the most wonderful elves. Love seeing your home all decorated for Christmas! Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Thank you – I think there are things (vaccines ) to be thankful for – thank goodness
Lady Carnarvon~
You are so funny and clever! Writing that Eorl Geordie has two degrees – one from Oxford and one from you – made me chortle.
I wonder if I’m going to decorate at all as health issues make that quite difficult. I feel quite guilty. But having no elves to send copious lists to, I decide my husband and I may just have to honor Christmas in our hearts this year.
Happy Christmas to you and yours!
~ Bonnie in ‘BAMA
PS: My husband has three degrees. Alas, he’s only aware of two. 😉
I love your final PS – you could always decorate the table with small pots of flowers
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
What a wonderful article. The castle is even more beautiful with the Christmas decor. How do the elves keep the large Christmas tree from drying out too soon?
As my brother is putting up Christmas lights outside and the turkey is starting to thaw in the fridge, I am getting excited about the holidays this very different year!! A lot of neighbors and friends are decorating early too this year. We all want something cheerful to look at!!! I will be turning on the lights after Dinner on Thursday!!
Have a wonderful week!
Lisa Cosgrove
Bolingbrook IL USA
Light in the darkness but so essential this year..
Today’s message was so filled with lightness and joy! Thank you for sharing these stories and photos. December 2019 my dear niece Laura arranged for her sister Erin and myself to attend the Highclere Downton Abbey gala which was delightful and delicious! This year we will revisit those memories as we stay quarantined and safe in Canada. Happy Christmas to All.
Thanks! I needed that!
Hello Lady Carnarvon
Your Christmas Tree will be magnificent when fully decorated and I am sure there will be a present or two under the tree for you and Lord Carnarvon.
There will also be a mystery box with nobodys name on it but it will be full of hope for 2021 and the blessings that come. I think the box will contain peace on the earth, guidance for our world leaders, love for one another, no more poverty, protection for our children, and voices united in the praise of Our Lord. All of these things are my pipe dreams for 2021 and if they were to come true it would surely be a miracle.
The blessings of Christmas to you and your family and to all our chatters here. A Happy and Holy Christmas to everyone
Joy Roebig
Joy thank you – I sort of hope, like you, that the spirit of cooperation and collaboration might be a present …
Lady Carnarvon, Thank you again for lifting our spirits ad our hopes for a Merry Christmas. By now I’m sure the twinkling lights at Highclere have been lit, and your beautiful home is a buzz with holiday cheer, planning and looking forward to a beautiful season. Here in the colonies, we are unable to travel to see your magnificent splendor this year, but we still know our future is bright and hopefully in 2021 and beyond we can resume our normal travel to Great Britain for the holidays. No place on earth does Christmas quite like you, and with great spirit. We are planning a grand Thanksgiving week here in the states, and we hear that two Turkeys, corn and cob, will be pardoned to kick off a week of Thanks to God for the gift of life, beauty, and a vaccine. We are praying that in 2021 we can say goodbye to an invisible virus that has concerned us all, and temporarily changed the way we travel and interact with others. Meanwhile, people like you and your most helpful and scholarly elf’s take us to Christmas’s past, when all was merry and bright. My hope springs eternal, especially after reading of the shenanigan’s of elves, and the delightful Christmas spirit I have felt when visiting Highclere in past years. God jule, as the hidenfolken would wish!
Thank you for introducing us to your wonderful elves. I have just moved and would love the elves to help if they could cross the pond! Happy decorating!
Today, November 23rd, is my birthday….here’s hoping that from now until the Christmas season we experience increasing joy and good will to men!
Happy Birthday
“God bless you everyone”. Thanks for a wonderful story, which gave me much amusement. As it heats up here in Australia, I envy your thick jackets and cheery smiles.
Anne.
In response to the festive mood- How does one know that Santa Claus is a gardener?
Because he says hoe hoe hoe a lot… thi hi!
I’m now completely revved up with warm Christmas feelings, singing, and you have just inspired me to put up Christmas decorations early this year – we need some extra cheer this year!
Thank you for such fun reading, as always!
(…driving home for Christmas….☃️)
I love that song – driving home for Christmas…
What a beautiful Christmas story! Even though I don’t celebrate Christmas, since I am Jewish, I enjoy viewing all of the preparations at Highclere. Happy holidays to all! I live in New Jersey, USA and I truly enjoy all of your posts!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I’ve had a busy day putting up all my own outside lights and decorations, and just got to your lovely post. A delightful read, you are so imaginative and your beautiful pictures have inspired my INSIDE decorations which I start the day after our U.S. Thanksgiving.
I leave you with a parody I wrote several years ago, to the tune of “We Need a Little Christmas.” I know we both share a love of all creatures great and small.
We Need a Little Puppy
Hide all the slippers
Put up the shoes before our spirits fall again
Call up the landlord
We may be pushing thugs, but
Spread the newspapers now!
For we need a little puppy!
Right this very minute
Sitting on the sofa
Sleeping ‘neath the spinet
Yes we need a little bundle
Right this very minute
Need a little puppy now.
Count up the numbers
We have a dog, cat, horse and
Way too many birds
Look at the vet bills
We may as well give up, ‘cause
Who can pay them all now?
For we’ve grown a little leaner
Grown a little colder
Grown a little sadder
Grown a little older, yes we
Need a little a little laughter
Ringing through the rafters
Need a little puppy now!
(And we DID get a Boston Terrier puppy! To add to our Sheltie, et., al.)
.
What a lovely story ! Highclere looks magnificent, you and your elves are amazing. I am in the United States and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year
Your beautiful, magical, wonderful details of Christmas at Highclere touched me so! How wonderful to keep these traditions. Memories came back to me of how important these traditions are for our family – although at age 90 and living alone – my daughter in Australia, my son in Indiana – I still have the same holiday decorations and all the memories that go with each. Each memory is so very precious! They will always be in my heart – even though I am alone and at a rather advanced age. As the Holiday season approaches, I suddenly feel the joy and happiness of years back and I become young again.
Merry Christmas to all at Highclere!
Forever young then !
Lady Carnarvon,
Your elves do outstanding work, I’m sure Santa is quite jealous!!! Merry Happy Christmas
to everyone at Highclere castle (including mischievous elves.) May everyone reading
experience true joy during Christmas and experience hope and joy in 2021. This season
reminds us miracles do happen and we can be happy even in the midst of trying times.
I wish everyone the happiness that good health, friends and family, and prosperity can
bring.
Merry Christmas to all,
Ann Catherine Flood
Lovely story and such enchanting elves there at Highclere. Wishing everyone at Highclere a wonderful holiday season.
My most fervent desire is that when I awake on 01JAN2021 that’s the actual date and it won’t be “Groundhog Day” repeat (movie w/Bill Murray) with 2020 version 2.0 popping up!
Anticipating booking travel without restrictions by 2022; my hesitation stems from the stories I heard growing up about the “Influenza”. My father’s twin brother died from influenza when they were infants. As a retired medical/psychotherapist, I understand the importance of cooperation and collaboration to resolve any of these issues on this small world we inhabit.
May all of us enjoy the holiday season and welcome a new year in good health with great friendships.
Mankind is most resourceful
Christmas couldn’t come earlier! It brings so much cheer at such a time as this and Highclere so beautifully leads the way!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
All the elves at Highclere are as busy as bees making everything just perfect for Christmas. The enormous tree in the saloon is beautifully decorated. There is so much to be done. The elves are doing a fantastic job!
Merry Christmas!
May the coming year bring hope and peace.
In the words of Tiny Tim, “God Bless Us, Every one!”
And we have a lovely surprise to share on Instagram – if you love Dickens..
Thank you for bringing a laugh and Christmas early. I could do with some help from those elves in Sidmouth when they have finished Highclere!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
It’s so great to see the elves having such great fun and that the Christmas spirit is shining bright in the Castle decorations! Thank you for your always positive, educational and uplifting posts. Please keep them coming. Merry Christmas to all!
Thank you and all best wishes to you!
Wonderful! Thank you for such a fun and heart-warming insight into the Christmas preparations in your beautiful home. I hope your dogs will be joining in with their own treats on Christmas Day. I’m sure they’d love to be Santa’s Little Helpers too.
They are always helpful -in their view
Lady Carnarvon, the staircase garland looks so beautiful, very artistic. To you and your family and all stay well. With Warm Regards, Cheryl
Beautiful Christmas post. Highclere Castle looks absolutely gorgeous. Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.
MY DEAR LADY CARNARVON ,
GOOD EVENING,
RÍO CLARO 37 ° CELSIUS.
I LIKE TO SEE AND ENJOY THE LANDSCASPE AROUND THE CASTLE AND SEE THE PHOTOS,TELL ME MILADY, STILL NOT SNOWED AROUND THE CASTLE THIS YEAR????
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM BRAZIL FOR ALL MONDAY FAMILY AND THE STAFF OF THE CASTLE.
MILORDE AND MILADY THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH. GOOD YEAR 2021 FOR ALL.
VILA ALEMÃ
RIO CLARO – SP
BRAZIL
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I love seeing the pictures of Highclere this time of year. It just adds so much to our Christmas Spirit!
Hubby has carved more wooden ornaments for our tree over the past few years. We have nearly one hundred. He carves them and I usually paint them. We have Vikings, trucks, planes, trees, poinsettias, Dala horses, gnomes, bears, and many more. We have our tree now and will be setting it up tomorrow. This is a great season and we wish all of you our best.
Thank you Lady Carnarvon
You are a joy and blessing to us all.
You have such a positive energy that radiates all over the world!
Your decorations are gorgeous. Blessings to the elves, Santa would be proud.
Keep your blogs coming.
Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Phyllis Simpson
Thank you for the uplifting official start of the Christmas season.
May you all be merry and bright and may you enjoy the love and light of the season.
We are all blessed- and thankful to have you Lord and Lady Carnarvon to share you beautiful estate with all of us during these strange times.
Best,
Iris Butler