I don't like to put up anything Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Every year I attempt to get the Christmas tree and decorations up as soon as possible after Thanksgiving so I have time to enjoy them. Every year it takes me until the second week of December to get it all up. It's rush, rush, rush to get it up and then it's rush, rush, rush to get it down. In our family it's always been a tradition to leave it up until after New Year's Day. When I first moved to the south I noticed some people putting their live trees out at the curb the day after Christmas! I was kind of surprised, but decided that tradition probably began before the days of A/C and artificial trees when the live trees quickly dried out and became a fire hazard. I guess it's become a tradition for some families to still get it all down right away.
I have found that in this climate things stored in the garage or attic don't always hold up well in the heat and humidity. So, I rent a storage place for the Christmas decorations. That means numerous trips to the storage place to bring back the plastic containers with the Christmas things and then lugging the empty containers back to the storage place until it's time to take everything down.
No wonder the holidays can be stressful. This year it suddenly occurred to me that here is no steadfast rule saying when decorations must come down (or go up). I enjoy the decorations and all the memories that go along with them. It's AFTER the Christmas rush that I finally have time to truly enjoy them. I decided that from now on I wouldn't take down the decorations until the end of January. I would take time to truly enjoy them.
Like this wreath that I bought at a craft show in the early 1980's.
I took down the outdoor decorations, but inside it's still Christmas and I'm in no hurry for it to end.
Now head over to Jenny's blog for a list of this week's participants. Thanks for visiting...
We had an aluminum Christmas tree when I was a kid. How I wanted a fresh tree so much back then. Now, I can't bring myself to buy one, although I think about it every year. We purchased an artificial tree with lights several years ago. I like it quite fun. It goes up and down in a flash. The indoors Christmas stuff usually come down the 2nd week in January. If I the Mama said longer, I'd probably keep them up, too. Your ceramic Santa is very handsome!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Christmas lights are always festive. I love that wreath with the boot!
ReplyDeleteWe had an aluminum tree too when I was younger!!! I know having all those decorations makes your home a real home - with good memories. I agree keep them up as long as you want too - there are no set rules. And I didn't realize you had to store them in a special place and then go and retrieve them - that is a lot of work but I can see how you would want to keep them nice.
ReplyDeleteI agree ~ enjoy the Xmas decorations ~ they are wonderful ~ Great post !
ReplyDeleteHappy Week to you ~ ^_^
I usually keep the (fake) Christmas tree until Jan 6 when my son was still living with us. Ever since I have enough of Christmas decorations just after the New Year and put everything away.
ReplyDeleteHow adorable...I took Christmas down inside and left just around the door outside up because it does look pretty in the snow...:)JP
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all your memories still making your heart happy. Just because the official day is over...what's the rush. Truly. Your pictures really warmed my heart, Betty. XOXOXO
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