Having our home decorated for Christmas on Thanksgiving Day allows me to sit, relax, and enjoy my family and my home while the turkey cooks away. I can live in the moment of that day. I can sit and watch The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and enjoy it, without my mind racing with all the things that need to be done in order for Christmas to begin.
I know this because I didn't always decorate before Thanksgiving. I used to wait until the day after. My mind would be racing with lists of things to do before the plates were cleared from the table. I was running around gathering up turkey and pumpkin décor before we even cut the pumpkin pie. I stressed about the dishes getting done so we could pull out the Christmas ones.
Now, I don't. Now it is all done. The house is decorated with Christmas love all around. And I am at peace. Do we eat turkey and stuffing off of Christmas tree plates? Yes, we do. Do we have Christmas music playing as we clear the table? Yep. Do we sit by the beautiful Christmas tree while we eat slices of pumpkin pie? Sure do. And you know what? That is alright. Because we are together. And we are happy.
So do what makes YOU happy, my friends.
Because, why not? : )
I/We have always done Christmas decorating after Thanksgiving or the day of. Maybe it has/had something to do with the fact we spent the last 20 yrs down south where it wasn't cold much before (or even after) Thanksgiving. We were just discussing this, actually.... even with snow on the ground, I think we will continue to wait until the day after Thanksgiving. Trying to decide how we can decorate the outside and where the real tree is going to go....hubby is planning, wink. Blessings
ReplyDeleteI love that you've decorated already! I can't wait but with everything we have going on it will probably be a while. But we have started watching Christmas movies and listening to the music. :) I am a huge proponent of do what works for you!
ReplyDeleteI wish Christmas was year round. The music is my fav...and of course celebrating the birth of Our Lord...it is such a wonderful time of the year!!
ReplyDeleteMy in-laws do this and I LOVE it - it really makes Thanksgiving seem extra cozy!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have made it a tradition in our family to decorate for Christmas on the first day of Advent. I know some do it the day after Thanksgiving, or before, and some wait to put the tree up on Christmas day, but we have found for our family the first day of Advent works great for us, at least so far. We are already together on a Sunday afternoon, so it has always worked out very nicely. Loved hearing how your family does things. We can all do things different and still be very happy, and still celebrate these important holidays each in our own way :)
ReplyDeleteI loved this post, Billy Jo!
ReplyDeleteYou made me chuckle with you honesty and thank you for sharing that.
"To each is own". If that makes you happy and peaceful, then you should do what works for you.
I totally agree with you, in that our minds are busy thinking if all that needs to be done for Christmas, and we miss the joy of Thanksgiving. So doing it your way really does relieve stress. You are the smart one!
Your tree looks lovely.
Blessings to you and your family this holiday season.
Debbie
I agree, why not! I love Christmas and it's all I can do to wait until Thanksgiving is over and I can begin decorating. I also love Thansgiving, but there is just something special to me about Christmas. For some reason I just can't bring myself to put up Christmas decor before Thanksgiving - I'm not sure why since the day after I am bringing in all the Christmas totes :)
ReplyDeleteI love your reasons for decorating early, my friend, and I appreciate your honesty. Someday I won't be able to wait and will be joining you with "early" decorations.
Hugs and blessings!
I don't decorate before Thanksgiving (actually, I think I did one year way back when), but I can certainly see the cause for it and I think it's practical to combine the two holidays, as they are so close together.
ReplyDeleteI love your reasoning and it makes total sense! As I was reading your post I was thinking to myself "she's got it! the key to a stress free holiday season!". What a wonderful feeling it must be. I usually wait till next weekend, but now you have me reconsidering....: ) Your tree and decorations look beautiful, festive, and cozy! Have a wonderful week, filled with holidays, turkey, family, and love! ♥
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing all your Christmas decor on Instagram and it's cute that you explained on here! It totally makes sense. I've been trying to get shopping and wrapping done before Advent so that I don't have to think about what I still need to get or rushing out to buy this or that. It allows me to enjoy Advent for what it is and not focus on the gifts. I've only become this way since being a mom, so I can totally enjoy the girls during this time!
ReplyDeleteAnd this year will be the first year we put up Bill's Christmas Village - and I think we'll do that Thanksgiving night when the girls go down… but I think we'll wait a week or so for the tree because we get a real one! ;)
Thanks for sharing!
This is the happiest post EVER! (and not to mention you stood back!) Love you friend for all you share with us and I love love love love love this idea! I am still trying all the things I learned from being with your family for just a few short days. We are relaxing more, my couch is getting more time with all of us on it and guess what? I am happier than ever!!! Little things that you teach us make a big difference! Love ya!
ReplyDeleteI just have to say, you are SO cute!
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