From one who is just pulling the green boxes out of the storage closet….<3

We put up our tree today. This was the first step in transforming our home from fall to Christmas. There are many tubs to look through and determine what will go where. This will be a process that I will devote the rest of this week to and then it will be done. No matter what, it will be finished and the tubs will go back in the storage closet. 

Even as I say that I must tell you some thoughts that flitted through my mind as I pulled ornaments from their paper layers and found spots on the branches. 

For one thing I thought how blissfully ignorant we were about every one else’s time frame for preparing their homes for the holidays before social media became a thing. For all I know, people were replacing pumpkins with evergreens and tinsel right after Halloween for years.

People just did their thing and unless you got invited over for dinner or a holiday party or to play, you had no idea what their halls were decked with. Now there are debates and surveys and comments galore about too soon, too late, not enough, too much. 

I think there are basically two groups of people. Some like to have all the decorations up and then kick in and enjoy all the other things. The rest of us view the decorating as part of the festivities. It is just a matter of preference. 

Our Rachel pointed out once, we probably all have our things out to enjoy the same amount of time. Early decorators typically have the tree out on the curb and the house swept clean right after the 25th. Those of us who wait until Thanksgiving to put things out seem to like to continue to enjoy the beauty until at least after New Years is celebrated. 

Another factor is when your family can get together. I know some had to celebrate Christmas at Thanksgiving while others will still be waiting for this joy until the last week of December. 

All that to say, to each his or her own. I have enjoyed seeing photos of trees, table tops and mantles. It is a joyous time of year and really no one has the right to tell you what to use, where to put it, or when to start the process. 

While it is always fun to see the new items in stores or in other’s homes, those tubs of baubles in YOUR possession hold YOUR memories that should be given a moment to breathe voices and faces from the past into this year’s celebration. 

Recently I saw a post from a person I don’t know but follow on Instagram. She is an “influencer”. She was giving her opinion on holiday decor. All natural greens and candles and such with none of the trinkets I tend to use.

Good for her. I personally love the little knickknacks that have been gifted to me, were passed down from the generations before us or I couldn’t resist purchasing a few years ago. When I finish putting up the trim, I will throughly enjoy it whether anyone else sees it or not.

Don’t let social media or friend group “influencers” have sway over your mood this Christmas. To borrow an old term we haven’t seen for a while – you do you. I like to think that social media can inform me, but shouldn’t influence me. Embrace your own style and appreciate that of others.

May God bless you as you prepare your home and your heart for the Christmas season that will be 2023 in your own timing and unique styl