This morning, I looked over at Topher and nonchalantly said, “I’m ready to put my tree up.” He replied, “Christmas tree?” And I said, “Yep.”
I know I haven’t packed away my Halloween decorations yet, but as soon as I do I want a Christmas wonderland. Thanksgiving decorations are kind of lame, so I just want to fast forward to my favorite holiday.
Topher disagrees. He thinks it’s too soon. I usually but my tree up on the day after Thanksgiving (which he thinks is too early), but I think this year he might get overruled.
Here’s the thing, I put a lot of effort into my Christmas decor, and I want to enjoy it. The people out there that wait til the week of Christmas to get their trees baffle me (if you are one of these people I’m sure you have your reasons). Why go through the effort just to take it down again in a few days.
Not me. Don’t tell anyone, but one year when I still worked outside the home, I didn’t take my tree down until the Superbowl.
Yes, I agree that’s pushing it too far, but I was never home, and we didn’t have time to enjoy it.
Not to brag but I have really nice ornaments, and if there was a fire and every living being was out safely, my ornaments would be the first thing I would rescue.
Even the cat loves Christmas. She takes up residence under the tree for a month (or two), taking safe refuge from the pups.
I am, however, a bit of a control freak when it comes to my tree. It is silver and white, and I make sure my gifts underneath coordinate perfectly.
We do have a small problem, though with the cat living under the tree. She seems to like to chew on the bows on the gifts. It was always so embarrassing giving someone a gift topped with the shredded bow with little teeth marks, so now I put the bows on right before the big day.
Ok, don’t judge (because I’m sure I’m not the only one who does this)…you know all of the ornaments your kiddos make you in school? Well, I do put most some of them on the tree — at least the silver and white ones. They all have a special home near and dear to the backside, bottom quadrant. Yes, I know. I’m a bad person.
It should be the memories that count, but why can’t they count on the back of the tree? Mind you, my daughter is 15, so she really doesn’t get too worked up about her preschool toilet paper roll snowman covered in macaroni (and painted silver) being seen only be the cat.
And please don’t even get me started on Christmas music. If I had my way, I would probably listen to it year round, but since local radio is lame and only plays it “seasonally”, I have to listen to it nonstop for a solid month. It makes me happy. If you’re in my car or in my house, expect to hear the ring ting tingling of the holidays. Of course, this drives my daughter and hubby a little crazy after hearing Mariah Carry’s “All I want for Christmas Is You” for the 900th time. But tough cookies, it’s only for a month.
The last last item of business: the outdoor lights. Every year, I ask Topher to put them up before it turns cold, and he always says “next weekend”.
Every year, like clockwork, the next weekend is frozen-to-the-bone cold. Then he tries to use the excuse that he will freeze to death. I just tell him to suck it up, bundle-up like Ralphie, and don’t lick the frozen ladder on the way up .
He always thinks that if he puts it off long enough I won’t make him do it. Wrong!
He hates putting them up because he has a small fear of heights. I can’t blame him, I don’t like them either.
But it’s Christmas, dang it! The season of joy and love, so get up there and be a man! Side note: I no longer wonder why I get weird gifts from him, it’s payback.
Well, it’s Nov 5 and I have most of my Christmas shopping finished. I buy throughout the year when I see great deals and hide them in the basement until Christmas morning.
So I’m counting down the days ’til I wear Topher down, and he makes me a happy little Shanna by dragging out the tree.
I know everyone has different Xmas traditions, and I’d love to hear about yours.
This is a commissioned headboard that I did for a client. It seemed to have problem after problem (the paint wouldn’t stick for some reason) but I loved the way it turned out. I used a bonding agent, then chalkpainted it ivory, used a somewhat different glazing process, and waxed it. I forgot to take a picture of the footboard with it. The pictures don’t really do it justice, you can’t really see the textured colors. This one was a lot of work so I’m glad it’s finished and that my client loved it!
Before:
After:
Deby M says
I am like you about Christmas. I just took down the Halloween decorations and saw the boxes of Christmas ornaments staring at me. I normally have 4 trees. One is a travel tree in the foyer that has all the ornaments from places we have visited over the years. One is in the den, that is the family tree, and has all the handmade and Disney/cartoon ornaments on it. Some are over 30 years old! Another is the one in the Dining room which is mostly Poinsettias, and the last is in the formal living room, the “fru-fru” tree, with blown glass ornaments and silver and white, with very formal decorations. I have five fireplaces and decorate four of the mantles.. Also nearly every doorway has a bough ??? (is that the right word?) over it some with lights. My husband and I both LOVE Christmas. Our house is 175 years old, and is so much fun to decorate! I recently retired and started “Pickin” so I cant wait to start decorating for Christmas. We have a separate storage house outside with decorations in it, so I would not have to decide what to grab in case of a fire! I cant wait to see your ideas for Christmas Decorations…Bring them on!!
Joy says
We decorated our large tree at The Mercantile Shoppe in Yoder where I work today!
The tree has purple and champagne decor…just lovely!!
Our Christmas displays are looking great!!
We have ten so far. I’m pooped!
peg lydem says
Listened to Christmas Carols last weekend. Just came in from putting up the lights on the store entrance. Having a retail shop lets you indulge in the holidays you love for as long as you wish! I like your idea about Thanksgiving Carols since Thanksgiving is really my favorite holiday , I think I will find some! Beautiful Headboard!
Happy clients make the world a happy place.
Blessings peg
Kathryn Griffin says
Love the headboard! You did a fabulous job on it. I’m with you, I love Christmas!! Thank you for sharing. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/11/make-it-pretty-monday-week-23.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Linda says
Love the headboard. great transformation!
Karen says
so funny. I laughed at your title. Just last week my HUSBAND….put Christmas carols on!! Then in his thick French accent asked, do you have Thanksgiving carols? I thought it was cute. I agree….all the effort for such a short time. Live it, put it up early and enjoy!!!