topic Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it? in Holiday

Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

Julie928 — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:20:30 GMT

This may seem like a stupid question, but I have to ask as I'm sure we all have different reasons. Right now (and for the past week) I have been in full-blown autumn decorating mode. My biggest and most time-consuming project is our fairy mantel. The nine foot mantel in our den is transformed each season with miniature Cicely Barker fairies, a house in the center, and miscellaneous accessories. The garland in the background is draped with white Christmas lights and (currently) Bethlehem Lights fairy lights in amber ~ fast twinkle! It took me almost four days start to finish but wow, do I love the finished project. (Still working on the attaching photos issue ~ will post pics when I get this resolved). Then there's the bay window, the coffee tables (2 of them), the dining room table, and replacing summer wreaths and garlands with autumn ones. Whew! I do ask myself (and insert a few colorful words from time to time) why do I do all of this? I guess it's because, for me, I love to surround myself with what I find beautiful. When you walk into my home I instantly want you to know I love and respect nature, and sometimes in this crazy world I want to believe fairies really do exist. Then there's all of you. Even though we have never met I love conversing with each and every one of you. I love hearing what you've bought and seeing photos of how you use it. It's great fun, for me anyway. So tell me ~ why do YOU decorate?

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

CareBears — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:40:06 GMT

@Julie928 For me, I am my Mother's Daughter she decorated so beautifully for all the holidays' and in her honor I do the same, and at the end of the day when I look at the finished project, it makes me feel warm & fuzzy and this might sound strange but I feel more of a connection with my Mom, like she is looking down on me from heaven and letting me know she approves!

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

nana59 — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:30:04 GMT

I stopped decorating a few years ago....my arthritis makes it just too much work..the only thing I do when the seasons change is melt different tarts!

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

ValuSkr — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:31:44 GMT

I think it's nice to have a change of scenery once in while. So seasonal decor works.

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

LIG1 — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:32:36 GMT

@CareBears wrote:
@Julie928 For me, I am my Mother's Daughter she decorated so beautifully for all the holidays' and in her honor I do the same, and at the end of the day when I look at the finished project, it makes me feel warm & fzuzzy and this might sound strange but I feel more of a connection with my Mom, like she is looking down on me from heaven and letting me know she approves!

@CareBears~ Lovely ❤ ....your post touched my heart.

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

CareBears — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:37:22 GMT

@LIG1 When she first died I did not want to celebrate Christmas without her, and someone definitely yelled in my ear and told me to Stop IT, that Christmas is a time to show love and to come together, and YES to remember past holidays to carry on the traditions, and I listened, and followed the advice I so needed at the time. I set a flameless candle on the window in the kitchen (so Mom can see it from heaven) at midnight on Christmas EVE, and tell her Merry Christmas Mom, I love you and miss you, and I know she wakes up on Christmas morning to the sound of the most beautiful choir that is made up of angels, she being one of them

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

chrystaltree — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:38:00 GMT

Wow, so earty. Autumin is over a month away but it must be beautiful. I think we decorate our homes and offices and even our desks for ourselves. The reasons a different for every person but it seems to be more of a women's thing. Our decorations are an expression of ourselves, we surround ourselves with the things that give us pleasure. I never did a lot of decorating, except for Christmas. But in the past few years (I'm 57), I've begun decorating my home for each season. Not nearly as elaborate as OP's decorations. But I do place seasonal accents, in a theme, in my livingroom and dining room. The theme this summer was "pink floral". That will be up until mid September and I'll do my fall decorating and that will be up until the day after Thanksgiving. Then Christmas!!!

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

on the bay — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:39:06 GMT

@Julie928-

I loved reading your post. It reminded me of how I used to decorate when I had a house and children still in it.

Now, I do it because, like you, it makes me happy and it is so pretty to look at.

I usually go to my children's houses now but I still like to turn my place into a magical place.

And one of my daughters uses many of the decorations we used to use and I love seeing her enjoy them as much as we always did.

And really who said fairys don't exist?!

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

lOVETOSHOP — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:42:55 GMT

When we bought a larger house, I went crazy the first few years we lived here and needed a lot more seasonal decor.

Now that we've lived here almost 16 years (and I'm getting older, of course!) I'm finding myself asking "why do I do all of this seasonal decorating"? My kids have moved out and it's just me and my husband. Every year I say I'm going to do less and less decorating, as all of our stored decor is downstairs in a room off the basement and it's a lot of going up and down stairs. But then I always end up breaking down and doing it since I have it all and it seems like a waste not to use it.

I love it once it's all in place but I do wonder how much longer I'll keep it up!

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

ECBG — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:43:13 GMT

The joy of the celebration!

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

Kachina624 — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:44:11 GMT

I think, as women, it's part of our nesting urge. Make the nest as attractive and welcoming as possible. Birds do it too, as well as many animals. I'm no longer nesting so I don't decorate. It's just something to drag out that then has to be re-packed and put away. Nobody sees it but me.

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

homedecor1 — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:45:16 GMT

@Julie928

Everytime I tell myself there is only the 2 of us, limited company & no kids I say I'm going to stop!

Then i I come here & see all the great posts of you ladies/gents who have such lovely homes, creative decor ideas & sharing your great holiday finds -- I change my mind & out come my things!

BUT today my spouse had to go up in the attic above our garage (90+ degrees & pull down ladder) and told me he can't lift & carry the stuff anymore up there -- he plans to bring it ALL down & wants me to find a home for it (esp Fall & Christmas I have abundance)!

Honestly, I wish I knew someone who I could give to (my kids don't want it) -- so guess if it's ever under 80 here that will be my project! Sadly, he means what he says...

I've always decorated for every season/holiday since my kids were young - and I enjoy it YET I'm going to have to get another idea how to store what I ❤️ and not buy anymore...not easy, was in Kirklands oh my....😱😱😱I was good .....but didn't want to be!

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

lucymo — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:52:49 GMT

@Julie928 Julie, this is not a stupid question. I find it interesting to know why we all spend so much time and money to work for a week or more to decorate our homes. Then we spend another week to pack it all up and save it for next time so we can do it all over again.

I decorate our home because my DH and I both enjoy the festive atmosphere of whatever season it is. I also enjoy the time I spend on the actual decorating. We do Fall, Christmas and Easter in a big way, others not so much.

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

lucymo — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 01:03:00 GMT

@homedecor1 wrote:
@Julie928

Everytime I tell myself there is only the 2 of us, limited company & no kids I say I'm going to stop!

Then i I come here & see all the great posts of you ladies/gents who have such lovely homes, creative decor ideas & sharing your great holiday finds -- I change my mind & out come my things!

BUT today my spouse had to go up in the attic above our garage (90+ degrees & pull down ladder) and told me he can't lift & carry the stuff anymore up there -- he plans to bring it ALL down & wants me to find a home for it (esp Fall & Christmas I have abundance)!

Honestly, I wish I knew someone who I could give to (my kids don't want it) -- so guess if it's ever under 80 here that will be my project! Sadly, he means what he says...

I've always decorated for every season/holiday since my kids were young - and I enjoy it YET I'm going to have to get another idea how to store what I ❤️ and not buy anymore...not easy, was in Kirklands oh my....😱😱😱I was good .....but didn't want to be!
@homedecor1 I'm feeling so much sympathy for you and your DH. It had to be hard for him to tell you he couldn't do the attic climb anymore.

Maybe you can just pick out what you love and know you will use and find somewhere to store that. I need to do that very same thing as I've spent the day rummaging through boxes and finding so much that I can't or won't use. So I'm weeding it out...again.

Enjoy decorating for fall soon. It's still hot here too but we can enjoy some nice changes in the decor soon.

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

LIG1 — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 01:08:56 GMT

@CareBears wrote:
@LIG1 When she first died I did not want to celebrate Christmas without her, and someone definitely yelled in my ear and told me to Stop IT, that Christmas is a time to show love and to come together, and YES to remember past holidays to carry on the traditions, and I listened, and followed the advice I so needed at the time. I set a flameless candle on the window in the kitchen (so Mom can see it from heaven) at midnight on Christmas EVE, and tell her Merry Christmas Mom, I love you and miss you, and I know she wakes up on Christmas morning to the sound of the most beautiful choir that is made up of angels, she being one of them

@CareBears~ How touching.... I have no doubt that your mom's spirit watches over you. What a beautiful way to remember her with the candle in the window...(((❤)))

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

GCR18 — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 01:30:05 GMT

Decorating for holidays is some what new for me. I really didn't do much with holiday decor until about 5 or 6 years ago. I find it fun to hunt for this or that and see it all come together. I think the holiday touches make a house a home.

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

Mominohio — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 01:42:26 GMT

I simply love 'home'. Even my first apartment, when I had very little to work with, I wanted to decorate for the seasons. And I'm one of the weird ones that loves to cook and clean and do laundry too!

I've always decorated for me first. I love it. The process of shopping for it, creating the look I either want or doing the best with what I had to work with, enjoying the results each time I walk into a room, being proud to have people come into my home and feel warm and welcome based on how the rooms look and feel and smell.

When I had my son, the seasonal and holiday decor became much more about making his childhood and his life magical. I spent more money and more time and involved him in the doing of it all. I wanted him to have the tradition of a nice home all year, but a magical place to remember his childhood holidays.

Now that it is just two of us again, it's back to me and what I want to look at and enjoy. My husband I think appreciates a well kept and maintained home, but he really isn't into holiday or seasonal decor. So now I choose things I like (as opposed to child centered and friendly) and put together what satisfies my creative side, as well as what makes me feel my home is warm and inviting.

I learned what I do and the reasons I do it from my mother. She always kept a nice home, even when we had very little in the way of material things to keep a home with. For her, it was an expression of love for her family. It was an expression of pride in her home and her ability to create a place people would like to be. And for both of us it is an expression of gratitude for all we have been blessed with. Grateful for The family we create the home for, and for the things we have been blessed with to use in order to create that home.

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

homedecor1 — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 02:05:52 GMT

@lucymo

yes, he was serious - those steps are very steep & I have limited closet space in the house. He has been fighting a pinched nerve in his back (just had MRI) stopped playing golf for awhile. I completely understand his reasoning. In fact, he always compliments me on how beautiful every looks & festive.

This past 2 years we have lost a significant amount of friends (& family) who we entertained with. I am having a lot of issues realizing losing people around me - 3 of our closest friends here passed in the past 7 months. (Of course it's because we are so much younger than many in this community).

I will try to pick my fav pieces & sell the rest. That is the hardest part we are only "allowed" a community yard sale in April. I'm going to try to do word if mouth & do a "pre-estate" sale in October - I not only have seasonal but lots of home items (kitchen, etc.) I'm no longer using...ugh ...

Plus it's always hot into December so there isn't a good day to spend clearing out my stuff in the hot garage or lanai! Oh the "paradise" moments!!!!😉

@Mominohio

I always say I am a perfect "domestic". Growing up we had a nanny/maid her name was Elsa and reading your post reminded me of how I love to clean, iron, cook, bake, sew, and love my "comforts of home". Elsa was such a wonderful woman she taught me to keep a home & my dads Italian mother was my other "mentor". Summers spent with her & my aunts were wonderful.

I love the seasons & here it's Summer all year long - I so miss my beautiful home up north & my family. I never spend holidays here but I do enjoy decorating my home.

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

CareBears — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 01:51:59 GMT

@LIG1 Easy to honor such a beautiful person, my Mom and I were always together, she truly was my Best Friend, if I was not at home when my husband would come home from work he always knew where to find me, and then we made him worry aobout what trouble we would get ourselved into, My Mom always brought out my feisty side, LOL!

Re: Holiday Decorating. Why do we do it?

Gram W — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 01:52:47 GMT

@homedecor1. I am a 72 yr old widow. I understand the issues of carrying things each season. I have everything in the house now. I have most organized by season and I have them in under the bed long storage boxes on wheels upstairs. I purchased the QVC collapseable Clever Crates. (The smallest has handles.) I take a crate upstairs and shop in my own supplies. If my DIL needs something she calls me before she buys new. I have decorated their enclosed front porch for years. I have collected so many things over the years so I have a big collection to "shop" from and the arrangements each season are different.

Right now I am collecting wildflowers, cattails, etc to add to this year's wreaths, candles, lanterns and silk flowers. I especially enjoy decorating for fall and winter. I do simple basic decorations for each of the 4 seasons. For Halloween I just add ghosts, handmade ceramic tree stumps/vases, spiders, etc to fall. For Christmas I add Santa, Nativity, elves, etc to winter. This makes it easy to move out of a season without having to redo everything. When I was first widowed I didn't decorate because I go to be with my children and grandchildren every holiday. That was not a good decision for me. I received a mental kick in the behind and got back into doing what I love. It is relaxing and it gives me a great deal of pleasure. I will be doing it as long as I can go up and down stairs, even on my bottom.