The holidays wouldn’t be nearly as special each year without Howard Miller grandfather clocks. My family ceremoniously places a Christmas mouse (an adorable little stuffed mouse wearing a red hat and jacket) on the top of the grandfather clock in my parent’s living room right after Thanksgiving to signify the start of the Christmas season. No holiday shopping is done, Christmas music played, or trees trimmed until the Christmas mouse is in place. I’m not sure where the mouse came from or how it came to be perched on top of our clock, but it has been the tradition my entire life.

Howard Miller clocks, available at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com, epitomize family and the holiday feel in our house, and I hope that Mike and I have a grandfather clock of our own one day to place the Christmas mouse (which I will inherit) on top of. I really like the more cotemporary Howard Miller clocks, like the one pictured, and there are plenty to choose from that match any decor and style.

The Clocks Blog can give you all the specifics on how to care for your clock, giving clocks and gifts, and new additions to the 1-800-4CLOCKS inventory, but suffice to say, Howard Miller clocks are my personal favorite and what will be going in my home.