The world is made up of different kinds of people. No surprise there. But I’m amazed by friends and family who love to dismantle the Christmas tree, undecorate their home and put away the boxes on December 26th. I’m not one of those people. I never take the tree down before the first week of January. I love the week between Christmas and New Year’s. It’s a slow week and I love slow. The preparations for Christmas are over, the endless lists are finally finished (or abandoned!), and the time for still has arrived. I sit in the darkened family room by the lights of the Christmas tree, cup of hot chocolate in hand, savoring the sweetness and the slowness one of my favorite weeks of the year.
Because I’m hesitant to say goodbye to Christmas and give up the lights of the season, I transition slowly from Christmas to snow-themed decorations. When the nutcrackers step down from the mantle and into their boxes for another year, my snowman collection is unboxed and takes its place of honor on the mantle with the greenery and white lights. They comfort me through the continuing dark days of January and February. I keep the snowman cookie jar on the kitchen counter, the snowman nightlight in the guest bath, and the snowman tins on top of the bookshelves. But when the daffodils pop up, I know that spring is nigh and it’s time to pack up the snowmen and unbox the bunnies. When Jack and Robby come over this week for a two night sleepover, Jack will help me decorate for spring. Maybe Robby will join in the fun too. After all, March is the perfect time to hop into spring!
This
is my eleventh year of participating in the March Slice of Life Story
Challenge. This year I'll be mining my memories for stories to share.
The daffodils are popping up here, too! Yes, there is something about all the extra light that makes me want to get outside again. I totally understand the need for snow-themed comforts in the dark of winter.
ReplyDeleteI also love seasonal decorations that phase in and out through the year. Enjoy decorating.
ReplyDeleteI really don't like taking down the Christmas tree, so I may adopt your practice of changing the seasonal decor. And isn't a cup of tea by the glow of the lights just the very best?
ReplyDeleteI like that you lingered in Christmas and winter mood. Now you are ready for spring. Enjoy this too unhurriedly.
ReplyDeleteBy the time I remember to think about seasonal decorations, it's always too late! Your seasonal decorations sound like they bring so much joy!
ReplyDeleteI'm all about loving some decorations and I'm right there with you! Oh, the warmth of spring and the pastel colors and fresh flowers. It makes me happy inside!
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to see daffodils! Come on spring!
ReplyDeleteWe had to take down the tree early this year (right after Christmas) since one of my kittens chewed through the Christmas tree lights!
I love that you hold on to Christmas afterwards. There is so much preparation that goes into the creation of it all, I think it's such a shame not to enjoy it for awhile. And the fact that the months have a rhythm and a way to be. That is such a comfort in our unpredictable world.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you transition. Some years I leave my nativity scenes up all year!
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