So this week, the tree is bought and put up. We'll add more decorations each week until Christmas. This really helps the kids to know what it's like to wait and harbor a bubbling excitement-not only for presents (because they are kids, after all) but for the true magic of Christ-mas. In the past we've just done all the Christmas decorating on one day right after Thanksgiving, but to be honest, it was a big headache-y ordeal. And by the time Christmas actually came, it was all old news.
Christmas used to begin on December 25th and last for 12 days. Guess what? In the Catholic tradition, it still does! So if I seem to be acting Scroogeish when I don't return your hearty Merry Christmas for another 23 days, I'm really not. But you can rest assured there will be no Scrooges around here and we will totally be partying it up from Christmas until Epiphany (Jan. 6). And in the meantime, have a blessed Advent if you celebrate it, and have an awesome next four weeks if you don't!
Christmas used to begin on December 25th and last for 12 days. Guess what? In the Catholic tradition, it still does! So if I seem to be acting Scroogeish when I don't return your hearty Merry Christmas for another 23 days, I'm really not. But you can rest assured there will be no Scrooges around here and we will totally be partying it up from Christmas until Epiphany (Jan. 6). And in the meantime, have a blessed Advent if you celebrate it, and have an awesome next four weeks if you don't!
you go girl!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe too are really trying to emphasize Advent this year, as well as Nativity scenes, Baby Jesus and other non-Santa/snowman/reindeer/presents aspects of Christmas.
The kids love to get their little Advent calendar chocolate every morning, but they also love putting the little symbols on our Jesse tree every night.
I have also found that by avoiding some of the tackier "Christmas" decorations that don't really reflect Christmas at all, it makes decorating a lot quicker and simpler!
Happy, happy Advent! We do the same thing with decorating. And then on Christmas Eve we get out everything that hasn't been put out and go crazy!
ReplyDeleteNext year I would love to do a Jesse tree!
ReplyDeletecool idea - but I love seeing all the stuff on it at once! I have no patience, I know ;) I also love the reminder of advent now and the 12 days of Christmas. I remind my family that the reason your Christmas cards come after Christmas is because otherwise they'd be Advent cards. (not that I'm late getting them out ever ;)
ReplyDelete