Backstory
Christmas has an important role in the process of downsizing. When 17 tubs of holiday decorations come down out of the attic, it might just be time to lighten the holiday load. Years ago, you may have had half a dozen kids and friends helping with the joy of decorating for Christmas. Now, there may be just you, or just you two. So surely there comes a time when you consider losing the Christmas tree and affiliated decorations. I had that urge, this year. Here’s the story.
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No Christmas Tree This Year – #469
This year is the first time we are going to have no Christmas tree. We planned to leave our home, up north, just before Christmas to spend the winter in Florida. So why bother dragging out all of those ornaments and lights and stuff. It would be so much easier this way.
Of course, I did love looking at the sparkling angel that topped the tree. A gift received long ago from a dear friend who is no longer with us.
After the holiday last year, I packed the Christmas ornaments into boxes, labeled with the names of each of my kids and grandkids. I included in each, a list of who made each ornament, or why it was purchased or who had gifted it – even how it was found at a yard sale or a craft sale. Opening each of those boxes this year would have brought back so many happy, sometimes distant memories.
Well, I can just remember it all this year without all the fuss. No tree. No trouble. Make sense. Who needs it.
I thought of the lights flickering different colors on the tree branches and the tree skirt made by my sister surrounding its base, barely visible with all the gaily wrapped gifts that usually cover it.
On the other hand, it IS only once a year. And we WILL be here for most of December. Ah shucks, we can do without a tree NEXT year. For this year, bring it on. Christmas, I am yours!
P.S.
So that urge wound up the same way that many downsizing plans do; postponed! Well gee, just because our central family is smaller now doesn’t mean we need to remove all the gala of Christmas; just the work. I invested in a tall, skinny, pre-lit tree that glistens and sparkles. The full workload consists of plugging it in. That’s now my kind of Christmas decoration. Go for it!
[Show #469]
We have had a themed tree for several years. First it was the traditional green with a few collected ornaments that were peacocks or in the blue/turquoise family. Then it was a white tree with more peacock ornaments. This was truly lovely but gradually the white tree turned yellow from the attic heat. So now it is a 9 foot wrought iron tree that is simple to assemble & packs in a small box. Lighting it was with a spot light last year was okay but this year we tackled adding 500 lights which was a challenge!
At last, it is done & will be our “Christmas Tree” during the holidays then a “peacock tree” that can remain until the urge strikes to pack it away until next year.
Well, things really do change over time, don’t they?
Yes — The springs we do for holidays change over the years as we age and the kids grow up and move away and have families of their own. Traditions pass down to the younger generations. That’s life !
And a good life it is, Louise.
We so agree with you Annette! We just have a small skinny tree with a few ornaments on it! Merry Christmas and a blessed new year to you and Bill. See you in the spring Lord willing. Hugs
It is all in His hands.
Great message
We felt that way for the first time
And have downsized slightly
Having a pair of one year old kittens meant less in the tree as they present us with ornaments each morning
The kittens are festive, Joan.