Three month challenge begins

"Christmas Eve," 5 x 7 watercolor card

Christmas decorations are already for sale in stores. The only positive note for me was a reminder to get busy on my annual challenge.
Individual watercolor Christmas cards are a challenge every year, because the list seems to get longer, even after retirement.
After at least nine years of doing these, something that started out small, I've reached a point where originality is daunting and seems to have waned. I can't remember who got what card in the past, and if the tradition is to continue, there has to be some originality, somewhere.
Or I just cease, which may happen. But not this year.
Because there are other sides of trying to paint these...I do enjoy giving something people seem to appreciate, and the cards prod and invigorate my other painting, especially when I'm in a creative slump.

So here is the beginning, three months out from Christmas day.