I went to Michael's yesterday to gather a couple of things I needed (yes, I don't have everything in my stash of stuff) and everywhere I looked Christmas had arrived. I have seen houses already lit-up for Christmas and Christmas songs can be heard everywhere you go. I love Christmas, but I feel strongly that Christmas celebrations and decorations should not begin until after we have celebrated Thanksgiving Day. It used to be that way...Macy's would have their parade and that would be the official kick-off to the Holiday Season. What happened? I know it was the retail industry that kept pushing and pushing to lengthen their season of selling, but I can still dream, can't I? I am one that refuses to place one Christmas item out until after Thanksgiving. For many years, Christmas trees were not even decorated until Christmas eve....Santa would bring the decorated tree. That was the tradition that my Mother grew up with. When I was young, 2 weeks prior to Christmas, the tree would be decorated and before New Year's Day it was taken down. Traditions change as time passes, but one never changes for me....no Christmas before Thanksgiving. I am little easier going when it comes to taking the decorations down after Christmas....when my sweetie was home we used to pack them away together around New Year's Day, to begin the New Year with the house back to normal...but now that I am alone, I tend to drag my feet a little and probably leave them up a little longer than I should.
How about you? Do you start decorating early or are you more of a traditionalist and begin after Thanksgiving?
"I wish we could put some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open up a jar of it every month of the year." ~ Harlan Miller
Until next time....
