This weekend would normally be the weekend that I put up the Christmas tree and decorations, but this year, I've been so preoccupied with dentist appointments and being busy with sending out orders, that I haven't actually got around to cleaning up the house in readiness.
Today, much to OH's pleasure, we agreed that we wouldn't put up and decorate our big artificial tree this year, as we are leaving London earlier to head up to the cottage we're renting in Yorkshire. Apparently, the owners of the cottage will be providing us with a small tree for our stay, which is very nice of them, so there doesn't seem much point in putting up ours for all of 10 days or so.
Instead, we decided that I would decorate the rooted Christmas tree I bought several years ago whilst on a holiday in Wales. It's a fair size now, in a huge pot and I think I might just leave it outside and decorate it out there, rather than bring it in and risk it going into shock with the heat.
I will be putting up a few other decorations, however, some twinkly lights on the mantel piece, a wreath on the door and other festive bits and pieces, just no tree. I almost regretted the decision tonight when I was out walking the dog and could see lots of Christmas trees in the windows of houses as we walked around out neighbourhood, but I know that for this year, it isn't really worth it and LB isn't too worried, which makes me feel better about it.
I'm going to make a concerted effort to clean around this week, before getting the decorations out. I've done just about all I can with regard to preparing the last of the stock I have for sale, and I expect demand will start petering out in the next week or so, which will leave me more time to concentrate on housework, Christmas decorations/preparations and the last of the Christmas shopping.
Tonight, LB is going to a birthday party for a few hours, so OH and I are going to treat ourselves to a takeaway fish and chip supper. I'm going to make a start on some Christmas wrapping I think, LB's presents mainly, while she is out and unable to peep. I just have to get the wrapping paper down from the loft first.
I'm not feeling particularly Christmassy yet, but we got our first Christmas card today. Unfortunately there was some sad family news inside it, so I need to make a follow up phone call sometime in the next couple of days.
I hope your Christmas preparations are coming along nicely.
Working on our tree today. It seems to take longer and longer every year. I worked on it for two hours, decided to take a break and will be getting back to it in a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteAs far as other decorations, I think the only things I will be putting out are my nativities and perhaps a very few other items. I will need a center piece for our table, and a bit of Christmas colour in the living room, but nothing too much.
God bless.
I think if we were staying in London for Christmas Day or having anyone to stay, I would go for a tree, but for just the 3 of us in the lead up it's a lot of work. I'm sure all of your Christmas guests will love to see your tree, Christmas just isn't Christmas without one on Christmas Day. Good Luck getting the tree decorated today.
ReplyDeleteWe had a chat about when we were going to get our Christmas tree and ended up saying we weren't going to bother. I have some other bits and bobs to put out but I can't be bothered with a tree, let alone spend out for one. It sounds more miserable than it is!
ReplyDeleteWe got the bags of decorations out of the loft today. I can't understand why I have so much and it's so awkward to lift them out whilst on a ladder. I think I'm going to have a good sort out and try to get it down to a minimum this year. (I did say this last year too!)
DeleteI think you made the right decision ! It's sad when Christmas cards contain bad news. I also feel sad going through my address book & writing addresses to one aunt or uncle now on their own. I will be choosing a plainly worded Christmas card for my mother in law as it seems awful to send one with Happy Christmas inside when she lost her husband a few weeks ago. One of the packs of cards I bought says Have a fantastic time inside ! ( I'm sending that to my brother who has three new grandchildren this year -three babies for Christmas !
ReplyDeleteYes, I will need to think about the card I send to this particular family member. We've just had other news that another household in the family are having a tough time this Christmas too, which is sad. Life can be really difficult for people at Christmas when they are struggling with big issues like grief or separation.
Delete