Last week, while shopping for some household items my boyfriend would argue I don’t need, I spotted them: Christmas trees on display, lights twinkling, beckoning me to come over for a closer look. Jolly Santas, romping reindeer and frosty snowmen adorned the shelves, looking for a home to call their own. Boxes of holiday lights were on sale (Buy one get one free!) and I was tempted to take one of everything in the aisle. Under the watchful eye of my boyfriend, however, I managed to tear myself away without actually buying anything, though not before mentally check-marking everything I wanted to go back and purchase in the coming weeks.
I love the holiday season; it’s my favorite part of the year, as is evidenced by the fact that I’ve already dug out my Christmas CDs to play in my car. I figured I’d enjoy them before the holiday season officially hits and we’re inundated with Christmas cheer that’s often too annoying to enjoy. It’s far less stressful to get an early start and, hey, I waited until after Halloween, right?
One of my co-workers asked me recently why I’m so gung-ho about Christmas and questioned why I’m ignoring the rapidly-approaching Thanksgiving holiday. Well, the answer is simple: it’s cheaper. Sure I have to spend money on presents for my family and friends for Christmas, but given my penchant for decorating my super-small apartment, I’ve opted to ignore decorating for Thanksgiving altogether and focus instead on buying Christmas accessories. If you happen to walk into my humble abode at any time in the next few weeks, you’ll likely think I’ve lost my mind completely: the place looks like Santa Claus threw-up everywhere (how’s that for descriptive?). Stockings, tinsel, snowmen, reindeer, Santa, gingerbread men – I’ve got it all on display. What can I say? It makes me smile.
Part of the allure is the ambiance; the other part is the nostalgia.
Growing up, I was always excited to help my parents decorate our Christmas tree (complete with Lionel train set and quaint village set up underneath) and string up lights outside. We didn’t have the most impressive display in the neighborhood, but we did a respectable job. The house always emitted a warm, welcoming glow during the month of December. Once the tree was up, I could be found basking in the luminescence with a book in one hand a mug of steaming hot chocolate in the other. In retrospect, I realize I took for granted those quiet moments, and I’d give anything to have them back.
When I moved to Monson after college, I suffered with what I can only describe as homesickness. My apartment did not feel like a home yet and I still wasn’t used to being on my own; I called my parents in tears nearly every day lamenting my decision to move so far away. To combat my loneliness and in an attempt to make Monson feel more like home, I went all out with decorating for the holidays. Mom gave me some of the items she had amassed in her collection throughout the years, which brought a piece of my family to my apartment.
Since then, I’ve purchased my own holiday tchotchkes, which adorn every level surface of my apartment. Perhaps I’ve gone a bit too far (the number of boxes housing my decorations currently stands about a head taller than my 5-foot frame), but it does a great deal in keeping me cheerful and chipper during these first few weeks of winter-like weather.
If pressed, I’d have to say I’m not ignoring Thanksgiving at all. The ornaments may be inspired by Christmas, but the sentiments are filled with gratitude.
Column reprinted with permission from The Journal Register.
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