Friday, December 7, 2012

Deck the Halls, Blah Blah Blah

I'm not a Christmas sort of girl. I usually do some decorating, but over the years it's gotten less and less. I have an entire large closet packed to the brim with ornaments, wreaths, lights (about 5,000, give or take), stockings, etc., but I can't remember the last year I actually used all of it.

Having five in-house dogs means decorating takes a little extra effort. No live tree, because when we tried that, they peed on it every day. Nothing within their reach, either, so the artificial tree has to be mounted on a table 3' tall, and breakables have to be wired onto the branches for the times they misjudge their mad dashes through the house and crash into the table. No stockings hanging from the fireplace where they can yank them down. No Father Christmases or elaborately dressed angels on low surfaces, either, because they're just so darn much fun to chew on or cuddle with.

This year I don't have the tree up yet, and I'm not sure I actually care. Once we put it up, after a few weeks, I'll just have to start thinking about taking it down again. I haven't done any shopping -- everyone just wants money. I haven't even gotten out the old Elvis Presley CD of Christmas tunes.

Though it's not all bah humbug around here. I watched Elf the other day, laughed in the right places, and even sang along.

Nineteen days until Christmas. I'll either get in the mood or the holiday will be over and I won't have to think about it again until next year.

That's an idea I can get behind.

9 comments:

  1. Oh Marilyn, here in Germany we traditionally put up our Christmas tree only on the 24th, so for your tree, you still have plenty of time left! ;)

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    1. That's an idea I can get behind, Charisse!

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    2. Really, you do? How long do you leave them up? Around here, the mentality seems to be get them up quicker so you can enjoy them for a month or two.

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  2. I'm lagging a little myself this year, Marilyn. No trees, yet. :( No lights. Just an old lantern with red berries around it and a gorgeous poinsettia.
    But I'll get there. I think.

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    1. LOL, Susan. I think I may actually get the Demon Santa and Mrs. Claus out and plugged in. Beyond that, who knows??

      Though the Christmas parade last night got me in a better mood (once I thawed out, that is).

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  3. Oh no, not for a month or two! ^_^
    In the traditional German way, the Xmas tree is supposed only to be decorated on the 24th. It´s a ceremony in itself. The adults decorate the tree on the 24th while the kids will be entertained away. After attending the mass, the tree and the presents underneath- supposed to be brought by the Holy Child in their absence- will be revealed to the children. There would be singing & the exchanging of gifts, then dinner. The tree stays until the 6th of January, or until the garbage men come by to collect the trees. So we have the tree for around 2 weeks only! :-)

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    1. Okay, I always wondered about waiting until the 24th, since I know so many people who take theirs down a day or two after Christmas. I thought that seemed like a lot of work for such a short time. Two weeks sounds better.

      That's a great tradition.

      I actually got my tree about 3/4 decorated. I've got a few more ornaments to put on, then I'll be handing them to Bob on the ladder while he does the top part. I have to say, it's nice having it up.

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  4. Hi Marilyn, so how´s your tree? Could you post a picture of it when it´s done, please? I´d love to see it!;)
    Yeah, they´ve got great traditions here. At first i felt awkward with the gift giving on the 24th instead of the 25th and having two days of Xmas (25th & 26th) instead of only one, but you get used to it easily.

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    1. We actually finished it today, so I'll take some pictures and put one up. This time I decorated it entirely with glass balls that I painted. I think it looks pretty good.

      We *always* opened presents on the 24th (then we had a Santa gift to open the next morning). I think I was in high school or college before I found out a lot of people waited until the 25th. I never would have had the patience!

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