Yup, I really do, and like almost everything I do, without shame. To me, Christmas is more than a one-day event or a 25-day holiday season. I can’t say when the start of Christmas time is, but I know it doesn’t rely on a dip in temperature, a specific date in a specific month, and certainly not for Thanksgiving to pass. I love Thanksgiving for all it is, but it just doesn’t amount to anything in comparison to Christmas. I don’t skip it, but I may have Christmas decorations for the feast.

Okay, so the reason I leave my tree up until February? It’s usually dead by then and there are more needles in my vacuum than the tree. I can’t think of any other reason why I would take my tree down before this time, so I don’t. I love the twinkling of warm white lights, red ribbon, ornaments hanging in place of a story, and for about 15 days, presents covering a fluffy white tree skirt.

Our ornaments were packed up to the attic over the weekend with our other Christmas decor. I left the red ribbon and lights for a great touch to January. It’s is a rather boring month; no birthdays, no work functions, no celebrated holidays. The whole lot of nothing tells me it’s time to catch up on books I didn’t have a chance to read this fall and take extra good care of my home, my family, and my animals. So, I do that, with the Christmas tree lighting up our small but cozy living room (and usually a dog or two cuddled so close to me I can barely move an arm to turn the page).

Since my grandparents are still in town from Florida (and because I love to cook for people), I invited my family over for dinner last night. Still stepping over the threshold of our front door, my mom mentioned how my tree still smelled and looked good. She, diabolically, threw hers out the front door on Christmas afternoon (in her defense, they were leaving for 12 days that night and her tree was pretty dead already). Not that I need any validation for my decision, it confirmed my reasonings for holding off until it’s dead.

Christmas Traditions
First, let me say I love family traditions. I really do. But I also love finding joy and creating special memories for myself and my family in my home. Christmas traditions (and any other holiday for that matter) can be personal and unique to you. My worst nightmare is to be personalityless. I like having a signature feel and tone that expresses my personality, values, and likes, as a reflection of where I’ve been, my interests, beliefs, values, and background. I’m sure I’m not the only one who leaves my tree up, and I’m not trying to win any awards for doing it, I’ve just been seeing a mass exodus of Christmas trees coming down soon after Christmas. If that’s what you want to do, I’ll help you load it, sister. I just prefer to leave mine up a little longer. I’ve always moved a little slower than the status quo. Can someone please tell me why are we always in such a rush?

I’m going back to reading now. If you’re looking for a new book to read, check out Ina Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens. It’s sweet as pie and gave me all the feel-good feels going into the new year. I think I will live my life a little differently for it.

Happy New Year,
SF