Decorating for Christmas

Traditionally, I would decorate the house the day after Thanksgiving.  In the last few years, I have limited my decorating to that day.  If it can’t be completed on that day, then it is not going to be included.  I feel like I need to consider the other end – how long will this take to undecorate???  Again it must all come down New Year’s Day.  I simply choose to give no more time to it in my schedule.

This year is a bit different.  I won’t be here for Christmas or New Year’s, so I certainly don’t intend to do work that I won’t be here to enjoy.  I hadn’t really thought much about it, but the other day a good friend looked at me hard and jealously – even accusatorily – exclaimed, “YOU don’t have to decorate this year!” 

I looked at her and smiled, “No, I don’t.”

Later, I giggled about it.  I am relieved to not have decorating on my list, but I wondered at my friend.  She was obviously doing more than she really wanted to this year.  Why was she adding this stress to her life?  Why was I relieved that I wasn’t?

The beauty is that I did choose to decorate, because I wanted to do it.  But this time is just one hand made manger scene from Peru.  I collect crèches and this was the one I purchased last year.  It is a play on a traditional set with a modern shape.  I wonder what change this chance to be simple will take and what I will choose for next year…

Here is the ceramic crèche from Peru: Mary, Joseph and the baby.  Details of the pieces follow.  I like to hang the Moravian Star up somewhere and let it shine all night.  It seemed right in the front window with the crèche.   The star actually hangs directly above the crèche, but what you see in the pictures is it’s reflection in the window.

How are you choosing to decorate this year? 

If you want to share, take photos of your creation, blog about it including a link to this post and put the link to your entry here.  This list will be open until New Year’s Day!  (Thanks Sue for the inspiration!)