Decorating for Christmas...

[Lindsey]

Originally Posted by Mandy

So many times we see deco's and lights that look like they have just been thrown against the walls, it gives a very untidy impression, and i don't like that, it's almost a shame and waste of all the pretty stuff.

Oh I agree! One of my friends is like that, their house is always just thrown together. There's a whole lot of lights, but they just don't fit. They're the kind of people who just throw the lights wherever, like if it's too short to go around the top of the house, but too long to just do one side (they live on a corner), they'll just put it across one side, and then whatever's left over they'll just sling over one window or something, when the windows are all the same size and evenly spaced. Drives me nuts!

For us it's become a tradition to decorate the day after Thanksgiving. We get up super early and bring down boxes from the attic...and split duties. We put Christmas music on and work the whole day. It's soooo fun Before we got married, my (now) husband would always go to my parents house and help us... so now that we're married we spend Thanksgiving with them and help them out the next day. Since our apartment is kinda small, we usually do it before we go for Thanksgiving. Anyway, it's a really fun time for us. My dad, both grandpas, brother, and husband work on the outside, and my mom, me, and both grandmas take the inside. Then for dinner we eat what was left of the turkey and any other leftover we can find. Good times

[DianaB]

A few years ago I decorated right after Christmas because I had a Christmas party here at the house in early December. I felt like I was so much better organized that year that I'm thinking that I'm going to try and do it again this year. (I'm trying to be better organized so my stress level isn't so bad!!) Usually we decorate the second week or so before Christmas which is hard to do because I have lots and lots of decorations!! I collect Hallmark ornaments and have a bazillion of them!! My tree is so full of ornaments but is really beautiful. Then it takes forever to take it down and put away!! I usually leave my tree up until the middle of January so that I can enjoy my collection and take it down when I'm more relaxed.

We, too, live about 1/4 mile from the road, but my 14 year-old daughter likes to have lights outside the house, so she and her dad usually put a few up. Nobody can see them unless they're coming to the house, but, oh well, it makes her happy.

[Janet]

I do think I'm going to try and do more earlier. I to felt that the earlier I start, I don't feel so bombarded with everything. We'll see.....LOL