Oh, is there anything sadder than the day you take down your Christmas decorations? I don't think so. You put them up with so much joy, so many high expectations about the approaching holiday season. Then, in a flash, it's over, and all the bright red bows, shiny ornaments and felt snowmen get crammed back into their boxes for another year. Geez, I hate it!
How was your Christmas? We just returned home this morning from a wonderful trip to see both of our families for the holidays. This was no small feat, since my family is located near Cleveland, Ohio, and Alan's relatives reside much further south in Gadsden, Alabama.
But we saw them all, got to see everyone open the presents we chose for them, shopped the after-Christmas sales, and ate enough high-calorie homemade cooking to last a LIFETIME! So many happy memories were made, so many dear ones we got to squeeze and remind how much they are loved.
And now, just like that, it's all over. January is here, and my beautiful, festive decorations sit here before me, telling me it's time to pull out the bins and pack them away for another year. I know this, but I feel like the child that wants to cling to the magic of Santa and presents for just a little while longer. Maybe one more night...
24 comments:
Around here, folks don't seem to be too much in a hurry to put everything away. You just enjoy it as long as you want to! I'm traveling the next couple weeks so mine won't come down till mid January if that's any consolation! :D
we're on the same schedule over here- time to pull out the giant rubbermaid bin and cram a bunch of ornaments into ratty old cardboard boxes. somehow, it seems like these ornaments have tripled in quantity since they've been up on the tree and i am NOT looking forward to pulling them all down. guh.
good luck getting the motivation to de-christmas over there!
Sometimes I think it's really sad because the house looks empty, but other years I am so excited to see the clean empty space again! It's probably based on mood that year?
I'm so glad you had a chance to get away and visit. I did the same thing and it was one of my favorite Christmases to date.
All ours have gone away today :) and altho it marks the last day of my holiday break and a return to work tomoro I have to admit to always being rather relived to have the house looking clear and fuss free :)
I know how you feel, Joan. It's hard not to come down with the blues when the holidays are over. They will surely come again before you know it. Your wonderful story about sharing yourself with that elderly woman remains with me, the best gift that I received this year!
I felt that way yesterday when I was taking most of my things down. I also thought of how nice it would be to have help doing it. hahaha
Just wanted to wish you a very Happy New Year
Maggie
I'm taking my tree down this afternoon... :o(
I don't like taking it down. I even put it up a week earlier this year, and it still went by too quickly.
*sighs*
~shoes~
I used to have band contests; solos and ensembles in Gadsden, AL. That is not far from where I grew up.
I remember leaving the tree up until March one year. In case you decide to do that, buy hearts for February and St. Patty's day decor for March. . . I didn't but I should have.
I really was lazy about the tree that year!
what ya need is a ( fiber optic tree) small size
ya could keep it out all year, and when ya want some christmas just plug it in a there ya go! :)
happy new year!
Sounds like you had a great Christmas...sorry you are sad about taking down your lovely decorations. I didn't put any up this year but when I do I put them up early and by the time Christmas has come and gone I am way ready to put them away. Hugs
I bought a tall skinny tree this year...its not in my way, so I might just leave it where it is :)
Oh I know just how you feel - I blogged about the same thing: we put up the tree with champagne, carols and joy - and bring it down with... nothing. Next year I'm going to put on special "pulling down the tree" music (and make sure that all the boxes are put away, not still sitting on my dining table three days later...) xx
I solved the problem of the sadness of taking down the Christmas decoration. I didn't put any up! And I was fine with it! Only my youngest daughter came home (to my house) and she was barely there before she was gone again!
I hate taking down my tree. I have been procrastinating....maybe tomorrow.
Oh girlie - thank you for making me feel normal! I was feeling totally put out by all those people who complained about not being able to stand their Christmas "clutter". EEK! Christmas is NOT clutter! :)
I will gladly unpack those beautiful hopeful things with you again in a year!
my little home-xmas lights are still up, my bike decoration might stay up for a bit more. so cute I cant let go =)
thx for sharing this post, my holiday break was quite quiet and mellow
happy new year!
xxomeli
We'll me undecorating this week. It really is quite sad.
Happy New Year!!!
xx
Oh I just looooove your little cereal sad-face! LOL. It's totally sad, how sombre the mood is with decorations coming down, compared to when they go up. But you know what, something happened this year - we were cheerful taking them down as well. First time ever. I know! totally bizarre. I think we just determined to keep the mood light and festive and all 3 of us chipped in (ie. it's usually ME that does it all and THAT is just depressing!).
Ah, poor kitty. You're eating his cereal. ;-)
I'm glad you were able to visit with everyone!
I don't mind taking down the decorations. Mine tend to make everything looked cluttered and I can only take that for a short while. Plus, it gets me motivated to do some cleaning, culling, and re-arranging to start the new year.
For the winter blues, I like to have several small projects lined up for January.
Good Luck!
Wow, you really do have family all over the place. Ours is all here which is both a blessing and a curse.
Ours don't come down until twelve days after Christmas - when, according to my husband, "The Wise Guys came." But I'm ready. I'm looking forward to quieter times.
No way! I attacked my roommate's tree! I hate them. I am a grinch though.
I felt like I had just won a battle when it was finally boxed up again!
visions unto myself
Joan, you wrote this post on what was technically still only the "tenth" day of Christmas, so I hope you did keep them all up, at least until today! xo
Joan, your life is of great interest to me and I would like to know more about you. With that in mind I have given you a blog award. When you have time please visit my blog, read the latest post, and pick up your award!
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