Dreaming of Holiday Decorations…

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I love being excited for Christmas.

I love looking forward to decorating and baking…

not so much Christmas shopping, but that’s a whole other story.

Isn’t it too soon you ask?

You see, there is a point (usually half way through December) in which I am no longer excited for Christmas. (I know… that is terrible, isn’t it?) The stress of everything… last minute gifts, wrapping, shipping, traveling, etc. takes away my Christmas joy. I shouldn’t let it and I even make a conscious effort to simplify every year, but by the time Christmas day rolls around I don’t want to see another Christmas decoration for another minute. The season is officially over for me on December 26th.

But right now, in November, there is no stress. I am excited to decorate. I love the joy and anticipation of the season. I am enjoying being in the mood to go shop before the malls get crowded (afterall, the stores and malls are already decorated for Christmas… might as well enjoy picking out gifts while there is a good selection and no crowds). Might as well enjoy your home decorated with twinkling lights, sounds of Christmas music and fresh Christmas cookies coming out of the oven.

As women and as homemakers (and a good lot of y’all being mothers… it is not my turn for that just yet) we take the brunt of the stress. We are usually in charge of gifts, decorating, organizing, wrapping… pretty much everything that doesn’t involve a rickety old ladder and climbing up on the roof to hang Griswold style Christmas lights. And I’m not complaining about that one bit. But the reality of the matter is that it is our turn to enjoy the holidays right now… before it gets all crazy. We always have great intentions to bake and decorate Christmas cookies… but decide it is too soon. So we wait… and then the season gets too busy with obligations and parties… and we miss out on the parts of the season that we actually enjoy.

Have I convinced you to get in the holiday spirit?

If not, these should:

{via country living}

{via house to home}

{via}

Ooohhh… yes. I am definitely ready to watch Elf. And Garfield’s Christmas (it wouldn’t be Christmas without it). I’m hoping to get everything decorated this weekend. I started unpacking some Christmas items during the move… but I am far from organized. Unpacking one box at a time, our little place is beginning to have a floor.

In the meantime, I decided to fill our disaster of a home with the smell of the holidays with some cinnamon sticks. Such a little touch that has me a joyful mood. And in lieu of the decorations that I don’t have up to show you… I have decorated my simmering cinnamon sticks (say that 5 times fast!) with cheesy Christmas clip art. Doesn’t it scream 1980’s Christmas? You’re welcome.

Fill your home with the smell of simmering cinnamon sticks and you too will lose your marbles for Christmas.

I guarantee it.

(I bet I’d have more credibility with my “guarantee” if I had a beard.

And a line of men’s suits.)

Share and Enjoy:

Melissa Miller

November 13th, 2009 at 8:59 pm

Hi Melissa!
I was so surprised to see a sweet comment from you today I had to say Hi. I had no idea you still read my blog. Thank you so much!

I agree with you one hundred percent about the Holiday stress thing. Being military families and far away it is so hard. The traveling is tough.

Oh but the decorating…*Smiles*
Have a wonderful weekend, ~Melissa

jessica

November 13th, 2009 at 10:10 pm

i am also getting giddy inside. ella asks me everyday if it is christmas and if we can decorate. the kids are starting to watch christmas movies (garfield included..they looove that one)…i just can’t wait to watch them lose their marbles when the lights and tree go up! that’s if bobby will ever get them down. there is just something about christmas that is like no other time of year. it just makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.

Staci

November 14th, 2009 at 7:42 am

My hot cocoa mug runneth over!

I can’t wait to decorate. I have all things fall and Thanksgiving-ish still in the dining room – only because I’m still waiting to hear if my sister and her family are coming for Thanksgiving.

I pulled out all of my Christmas bins and stacked them neatly in the living room last week. I had planned to have it all decorated by this weekend but we had 2 days of rain and had to wait 2 more days for it to dry up enough before we could get back in the fields to finish cutting beans. We are cutting this afternoon! Hoowah!!!

That means I will absolutely be decorated by next weekend! Today I’m making my baking list and shopping list so immediately after decorating I can start my cookies.

I can’t remember Garfield – I’m gonna have to check it out. I love Elf and watch it year round.

My Farmer-to-be thinks I’m absolutely off my Christmas rocker.

Allyson

November 17th, 2009 at 1:55 am

I have been having the same thoughts of giddiness! (sp?) My daughter and I walked around the neighborhood this evening just to see if anyone has decorated yet and thankfully no, because I love being first! I agree about the stress mid-December though. I found the Organized Christmas website and that has really helped get me and keep me organized for the holidays.

Funny side note about the women taking on the work. Last year my husband was having a lot of fun Christmas morning and I finally asked him why, his answer…because he had no idea what ANYONE was getting. Yeah, that won’t repeat itself. This year he was handed half of the list with a wrapping date deadline. I will wrap if they are here by December 5th. He is one motivated dude right now. Thanks for the great photos, now if it weren’t 75 degrees here today, I would be waaaay more into it.

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