I love Christmas. I love all of the decorations and the music. We begin the buildup after Thanksgiving. The card making and sending, the present buying, wrapping and shipping, the baking and eating. Oh. my. goodness. THE EATING. Then, somewhat anticlimactically, it's all over. The presents are opened, fawned over and put away. The big meal is eaten. The baked goods begin to run out. But the hardest part for me is the tree.
Die tannenbaum is arguably one of the most significant secular symbols of Christmas. It is when it goes up that I really get into the spirit of the holiday and it is when it comes down that I officially conclude Christmas in my heart. Christmas is so special to me, though, that I fight letting go of the good feelings. Which means that I will leave that tree up as long as I can. I once left it up until May. That was a real tree, too. You can imagine what the trashmen thought that week.
Practicality prevents me that kind of procrastination these days. With two cats and a toddler, it's a miracle the tree is still standing after a mere two weeks. I know that the day is fast approaching when the tree will have to come down. I acknowledge this, but I am not ready just yet. I will linger in the afterglow of Christmas for just a little bit longer. Until that day, I will turn on the beautiful twinkly lights each night as it gets dark and I will savor the warm memories of so many wonderful Christmases past floating through my head and heart.
It's true...once the tree comes down, the season is over. Finis. This year seemed so whirl-windy that I'm writing down WHEN to do/start things next year so I can slow down and enjoy it a little more. At least that's my plan. I'll let you know how it goes in a year ;)
ReplyDeleteI got Summer's shoes at Stride Rite. Love them! They are worth the extra money. They are made so well, and with winter it is nice to have something that looks cute with pants or cable tights and a dress. Mary Janes go with either!. (the only trouble is the velco is so easy, she does take the off and on, but she can do this with any type of shoe now:)
ReplyDeleteI too will still be turning on the twinkly lights and loving evry min of it!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother used to say, there's nothing as over as Christmas. I mean when it's over, it's over. I think leaving the tree up helps to adjust to the over-ness. Our tree is still up and my kids are in their Christmas pajamas right this very minute.
ReplyDeleteOh I know how you feel! Just having all the glittery, colorful decorations in my house puts me in a good mood. I hate to take it all down and have it go away.
ReplyDeleteNow I've got the perfect excuse to keep them up. Ethiopian Christmas is Jan. 7th, so now we leave our decorations up until then, to help honor our daughter's culture.
it is so sad to see the tree go. I am usually ready and kinda sick of looking at it after Christmas but this year since it went up so late, I don't want to take it down, yet.
ReplyDeleteThis year has been a little different for me -- I took my tree and everything down yesterday. The holidays have really reaked havoc on Carley's sleep schedule, and, well, sleep is very important to me. I was thinking if the toys were put away and the decorations down, she'd "settle down" from the holiday hype.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little, I'd make my Mom save a few gifts for after Christmas to prolong the holiday...
Wishing you a healthy and happy 2009!
I agree. But this year it's coming down early. I need to put a final nail in this year. 2008 has GOT to go and completely go. lol. Horrible horrible year. lol. So, this year, on New Years Eve, I shall pack away 08!
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way...I WOKE up and it was 60 and now it's 38. We're reversed! ha ha!
Sigh...
ReplyDeleteIt's all I can muster. 'Cause my house is a nightmare...the Nightmare AFTER Christmas,if you will. I must go clean. Really. I don't want to. But I have to.
p.s. We must discuss the vamp movie I watched last week. Dude...
I know what you mean about the tree--it's always depressing to take it down. I'm going to enjoy mine this week and then off it goes!!
ReplyDeleteJohn told me that our tree wasn't drinking anymore water which means that it's starting to die. Our tree will probably be outside right after the New Year Holiday. I love the way Christmas makes one's house feel. Extra cozy and warm...but I'm looking forward to cleaning up and re-arranging furniture and finally getting some curtains, etc. up in the living room. I need the xmas stuff down so I can be inspired. Otherwise, my entire house will be red.
ReplyDeleteI love your picture--it looks so pretty! I took down the tree the other day and I was so relieved. I think I needed it to be over (especially the eating part.) There's nothing wrong with lingering though...I say enjoy it as long as you can!
ReplyDeleteI usually want to keep the tree up, but this year I just had to take it down and clean up. Maybe it's some manifestation of nesting syndrome, because I also have a desire to mop a lot, and that is not normal for me, either.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tree you have!
You will find NO disagreement here!
ReplyDeleteI say keep it up until Easter ...
I'm thinking we'll take our tree down on New Year's Day. I have been meaning to sit on the couch near the tree and read a novel and drink hot chocolate ever since I put the tree up. I guess I'll have to do that tonight!
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