Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – December 12, 2004

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – December 12, 2004　

Decorating For Christmas

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – December 12, 2004 – It’s raining outside and yesterday’s snowfall won’t last much longer. However, its fading presence on trees and fence tops is still enough to motivate me to decorate the house for Christmas. It’s not a chore I particularly enjoy because I have to root around in my “basement from hell” to find the decorations.

This task is a little more palatable now that I have a large plastic container that houses them in one place. When I finished, I’m always amazed at how lovely the house looks adorned in festive green, red and gold.

I don’t buy a Christmas tree because my living room is tiny and there really isn’t enough space. I do decorate my fireplace mantel with a beautiful green garland that I wrap in twinkling white lights. My crystal candle holders are topped with pretty candle rings and tea lights sparkle behind chunky blocks of glass, etched with a snowman, Santa Claus and a Christmas tree. The pine blanket box in front of the fireplace gets its share of decorations, as do the buffet and the dining room table.

This year I made the table decorations very subdued. A gilded, tin Christmas tree with two crystal candle holders on either side, each sitting on a flat gold disk. Very simple – very elegant. My pine sideboard in the kitchen has my toy soldier nutcracker and my two red Pinocchios keeping one another company, along with a couple of gold candles shaped like Christmas trees. I topped my hallway pine cupboard with reindeer and a crystal bowl filled with bright red apples and green and red stones.

My bathroom will get a quick pick-me-up with red towels and a little china Santa Claus. These are all familiar decorations that I’ve treasured for many years. They make me feel good, they give my home a beautiful, seasonal flair and I can decorate in an hour. Not bad for a curmudgeon like me. Some days I think I just won’t bother, but then I do the basement run for the Christmas box and I’m always glad that I have.

Decorating for the holidays doesn’t have to be expensive or expansive. Use things you love and ornaments that have a special meaning for you and your family. In past years, I’ve made decorations, some of which I still have. Dollar stores are a wonderful source of inexpensive holiday wares, wrapping paper and colourful ribbons and bows. You really don’t have to blow your budget at Christmas time to enjoy the season, and one of these days, when I’m a little older and a lot smarter, I’m going to prove this to myself.

Maybe not this year, but soon. In the meantime, even if you’re not feeling in a holiday frame of mind yourself, then decorate for your family and your friends. On Christmas Eve – you’ll be glad you did. I’m already smiling as I look around my living room. This transformation from “everyday to holiday” took me no time at all.

There really is something special about the Christmas season. It’s an ending and a new beginning all rolled into one. People try, even if they aren’t always successful, to be at their best. Most of us appreciate the significance of the season, and attempt in our own way, to acknowledge the people we care about. Everyone is affected positively when they are sincerely appreciated and this is the season for thankfulness and love.