Those of you who know me might be shocked to learn I haven't taken my Christmas decorations down yet. It's true... haven't even started. 
The vintage ornaments I featured on this blog's header during the Christmas season were a special gift to me from my widowed neighbor. He passed them along to me last year as a remembrance from his late wife who had passed away the year before. She and I were gardening buddies and I miss her sorely. The unique trinkets are a happy reminder of her. I like the ornaments so much they are displayed separately from the Christmas tree as a focal point in the breakfast eating area.
You know what I like almost as much as the ornaments? The boxes that hold them. My sweet neighbor kept the original boxes which is really so like her to do. So, instead of packing the boxes away after I decorated, this year, I left them stacked in the garage so I could enjoy them each time I came and went.
Strange. I know.
It's about memories ... I think. Can you imagine the days in the 50's when a box of glass detailed ornaments was .99? Well, mind you, I don't remember buying any since I was a mere child, but I do remember Woolworth's and other five and dime stores like it. As a child I would save my nickels just to make a trip to one of those neighborhood stores and buy something for myself. Target is the place kids go now I suppose. Me, too, for that matter.
I do have a rule about boxing up Christmas. The house must be clean and everything in its place before I get started. Another strange quirk, I realize. But, I'm pretty sure it has something to do with that whole thing of not having messes around me if I can help it.
This year I left over half of my decorations in their nicely labeled clear bins where they are stored the other 11 months of the year. It was the year to simplify! So it isn't that it would take me a long time once I got started.
I'm having some cathartic moments as I write this post. Blogging is so much cheaper than therapy as one wise woman I know likes to say.
The twin table arrangements I made for the dining room this year really pleased me. And honestly, I don't really mind looking at them still. To make them, I cut some brown crape myrtle branches from my garden, spray painted them copper and added some pinecones I had on hand. The greenery I picked up at Home Depot in their throw-away free-pile and the pheasant feathers I keep on hand for arrangements.
Do you think I could get by with them on the table for a little longer? Amazingly, the Frasier Fir branches are not dropping needles everywhere yet.
More than anything I think my procrastination has to do with the mess that ensues with the tear down process. I definitely don't like messes. Why create a mess when everything is already in order? Oh, I know all the logic that answers that question.
-It's a short term mess for a long term goal of getting your house back to normal.
-It won't take as long to get them all down as it did to get them all up.
-Just think once it's all done, you won't have to think about it for another 11 months.
... and on it goes. None of which has motivated me all this week.
The top of my buffet cabinet will be easily put away. Instead of the elaborate candles, lights, and fixtures that in past Christmases were placed here, this year, I painted some pine cones I keep on hand and piled them on a couple of my favorite cut glass cake plates. Easy peasy stuff. I think I'll start there with the tear down process ... maybe tomorrow.
What about you? Do you have rules and personal time limits for getting Christmas tucked away?
