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Monday, December 26, 2011

TELL ME IT ISN’T TRUE!

There is a rumor going around that Christmas is over and Christmas trees, Santas, villages, and even nativities have to be put away for a year!  Please tell me that is just a rumor.  I just got all of this Christmas décor out.  Please tell me I don’t have to start putting it all away!  I know Santa ate all of the cookies we decorated (even though the icing and sprinkles were thicker than the cookies themselves)…
cookies for Santa
and he delivered our miniature donuts to the elves (decorated Cheerios – a little tedious and a huge mess),
donuts btr
I know that 25 adult family members shared Christmas Eve dinner in our home...
tbl for 10 cmbnd
sunrm tbl cmbnd
table in front of stockings cmbnd
frplc tbl cmbnd
and I know that 7 children shared Christmas Eve dinner in our home.
chldrens tbl full-vert
I know that our Christmas Eve pageant included a “Baby Jesus” who was much too large to play the part (and who fell out of the basket twice during the pageant), and a shepherd who insisted on wearing a straw hat (and who managed to only knock over one thing with his cane), and one of the three kings who wore an Ole Miss football jersey to go visit baby Jesus (yikes-I would have had no objections to an Arkansas Razorback jersey!), and a few who decided to depart the pageant prior to the photo shoot.
pageant
I know that we must have all been good this year, because on Christmas morning Santa was good to everybody.
Christmas am
I know that our home was a complete disaster on Christmas Day when our children and their spouses were trying to figure out how to get monetary gifts out of a pinball game (which took a little time).
pinball machines
But, pu-leeeease don’t tell me I have to put away all of this Christmas now!
decor mos-horz
Obviously, I am avoiding putting it away by playing on my blog.  Hopefully, next year I can look back at this blog post BEFORE I start decorating for Christmas and recall the monumental task of putting away Christmas décor.  Do you think that will turn me into a Christmas décor minimalist?  Nah, I’m not that smart!  (Edited to Add:  My first comment on this post was from Priscilla, who reminded me that I can leave them all up until January 6th – Epiphany!  What a wonderful comment. Thanks Priscilla!  I have an excuse to not rush the “undecorating” process. Of course, I have to start now to have it all put away by the 6th of January!)
I hope your Christmas was as joyous (but not as big a mess) as our Christmas.  Thank you for coming to see yet another Christmas post on my blog!  Laurie

26 comments:

Priscilla said...

OK, Laurie, I'm telling you: "Christmas isn't over"!!!!!
There are 11 more days. Epiphany is not until Jan 6th. Just keep enjoying Christmas until then. That's what I'm doing. WooHoo, I love Chirstmas - all 12 days of it.
Have fun, Sweetie.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Oh trust me....my house was a big mess too! I got it straightened out...but then I hit the bed! I was pooped! It was fun though!!
Glad your days were successful!!

Sonny G said...

This fun time sure does pass quick doesnt it..

I'll take the live, now dry things outside.. May leave the rest a few more days.. I miss the twinkling lights when they come down. I may put a few strings on my ficus trees as I have seen Susan has.

Your home is so pretty with all its holiday decor and I know you'll miss it.. But next year will be here before we know it..

xoxo
Sonny

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I don't have that much to put away this year - thank goodness. Looks and sounds like your family had a very nice and fun Christmas.

xinex said...

Aaaah! Now I feel good because I don't have to put away any Christmas decor cause I did not put anything out. But even if I want to put them away, I can't cause I am not home, lol. Laurie, you are the most awesome grandma I know. I bet your grandkids just love spending the holidays and everyday at your house. I love your table settings and your dishes and your centerpieces, awesome grandma! I know you had a great Christmas so wishing you a Happy New Year now. Tina started having contractions since 4 AM...Christine

Alicia said...

It's always so much fun to decorate but the putting away is such a chore! But you did a wonderful job and it all looks gorgeous!

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

It looks like everyone had a great time and enjoyed all of the beautiful decorations! I love all of your Grandkid pics! I put my decorations up late this year as I was waiting for my daughter to come home from college to help. Now it's about time to take everything down and it just seems too soon! Maybe tomorrow... :)

Take care,
Pam

Unknown said...

Dear, Dear, Laurie,
Leave the house as is and take a long, long vacation in the tropics somewhere and come back just before Thanksgiving..Decorations ready! LOL! seriously, enjoy all of it as the kids grow up so fast and when it's all adults like we have it's just not the same at Christmas..we loved our messes and miss it all!
Hugs...

Mellodee said...

Laurie, it's too soon to put it all away! It is so nice to have Christmas all around you for the days AFTER Christmas. There is no rushing around, no errands, no shopping, no wrapping, no meals to prepare, no family underfoot (as much as we love them, it's nice to have your home to yourself again!)

Christmas Week is a low=key, quiet time to rest, reflect, remember, and relax. And having all your beautiful things around you to welcome the New Year is wonderful!

If you absolutely must, you can start to put away some of it (perhaps all your dinnerware that you won't need, but the rest really is lovely for a few quiet days. You can put it all away after New Year's, I promise there are no laws governing this!

Of course, those of us who REALLY love having our Christmas stuff around us, don't even think about putting things away until January 6! Gee whiz, if you put every thing away before then, how ever will your 3 King's find the manger???

Sit, relax, enjoy!

Ginny said...

Actually, you have until January 6 which is the official end of the Christmas Season. So now you have a little more time to enjoy your decorations. I know I will!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I'm not ready to put it all away yet so I love the idea of Epiphany and not feeling 'rushed' and I will get it done my Jan 6th! Works for me. hugs, Linda

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Dear Laurie,
Yes of course leave it out until Valentines Day if you wish...just have a valentine tree!
I love all the pics of your grandkids and family and of course your amazing decorating!
Hugs friend,
Cindy

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh, it looks like such fun at your house! Enjoy this special week! Happy holidays! ♥♥♥

Anonymous said...

Hi Laurie! I love coming to your house! I know you had a Merry Christmas! If ever you want to get rid of any of your pretties - call me! :)
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;)

Gloria said...

My dear Laurie, nothing you pin on Pinterest can ever compare with your beautiful home, table settings and, especially, your family! Everything is so lovely, and the best are your family photos. I like your story that the baby Jesus fell out two times during your pageant! But I'm sure he wasn't injured! LOL! Happy Holidays, Laurie.
Gloria
P.S. The rumor is FALSE. You got AT LEAST another couple of weeks to keep your stuff out and enjoy it. :)

Sue said...

Hey girlfriend- who wrote a supposed hard-fast rule that says even the twelfth day is 'the' day? hah! One year, my last tree came down in March! ha ha I want to savor it.... Maybe you'll do the same?!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas. No way are my things coming down for at least a few more weeks! This is when I enjoy it.

Tardevil said...

I bet everyone had a great time at the 'south Pole'. Actually, I let my lights burn until Jan. 6th and then take everything down. (But I travel some over the holidays). Seems like the first time I get to enjoy them is after Christmas. ;o)

Tomarie said...

I just have one question....would you adopt me?????
I'll cook, I'll clean, I'll even put away your Christmas decorations....just please A-D-O-P-T me Laurie!!!!!

Kathleen said...

I can't imagine putting anything away till after the Epiphany! That has always been the tradition here. I mean if you have a New Years brunch or dinner, where are the decorations? You must come North, that's how it is done here, girl!
I love all your tables, but I adore the plaid!
And the kids are just precious!
Looks like a wonderful holiday!

Tricia said...

Laurie, what a magical Christmas at your house! As a grandmother myself, I know what goes on behind the scenes to pull that off. It's fun, yes, but also can be exhausting! I hope you've had some moments to put your feet up and enjoy your decorations!

Marlis said...

ooh, that is a lot to put away. I used to keep everything up through ephiphany.. but wait, I didn't work back then. so putting it up was okay whenever I got to it.. Now with working, not so much! Our tree is still up though.. Your home is lovely all decked out. The tables are fabulous.. wow. and it looks like a wonderful time was had by all. Loved the living nativity!! Happy New year, hoping your coming year is filled with many blessings, warmth and good cheer! xo marlis

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Oh Laurie... it sounds like you and your dear ones had a wonderful time and that's really all that matters.....and I so enjoyed your account of the day's events... Hilarious!

Happy New Year!

Spencer

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Wait...hold the phone sister. I have an announcement...

Christmas is NOT over.

Nope, we haven't celebrated our family Ponderosa Christmas yet. So in this neck of the woods Christmas isn't 'till Saturday! Woohoo...

There ya go!

Girl, ya must need a barn to store all your beautiful Christmas ornamental goodies in.

I loved seein' what a grand time Christmas is in your beautiful home.

God bless ya and have yourself a fantastic New Year.

(BTW Jan.6...39th anniversary) :o)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Laurie,your pics with the children are all just wonderful. Now as for all of the decor, I totally love seeing it, but boy I would run if I had to find a place to put it all away. Good luck. Love ya and hope you have a very Blessed New Year. Hugs, Marty

Sarah said...

Christmas isn't over here either. ;-) Won't take the tree down and pack up the decorations till after New Year's Day. Still enjoying it all!
Cute photos of the grands. ~ Sarah