topic Health issues and decorating in Holiday

Health issues and decorating

texassunflower — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:00:44 GMT

I have back issues. Herniated disc and a bulging disc. The epidural I had in November increased my pain. I started Christmas decorating today and I overdid it. I know I will feel it tomorrow, just like I hurt badly this afternoon. I haven't even started on the tree. I think it's time to re- evaluate how much decorating I need to do for Christmas. Not every surface needs to be covered in Christmas decor. I only decorate the living room but bending and lifting did me in this afternoon. Those of you with bad backs or other issues, do you decorate less or just take longer to complete the task? I will be downsizing after this year. I think I would be content with just a tree, a wreath over the fireplace and stockings on the mantel. Also a wreath on outside door and cute doormat.

Re: Health issues and decorating

ciao_bella — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:39:26 GMT

I don't have the health issues you have, but the older I get the harder it is to keep up with decorating like we did when we were younger. I decorated my fireplace mantle over a few days and yesterday decorated the 7 1/2 foot tree. I'm the type who has to have each ribbon and ornament in the right place, so it took me quite some time to get it like I like. The only thing I did outside was hang a wreath on the front door and put a string of lights on the two urns that sit on each side of the front door. I do have battery timed candles in each window but that was done the beginning of November. I leave the window candles in all winter. Love the look of them.

Do what you can and enjoy whatever gets decorated.

Enjoy the holidays...

Re: Health issues and decorating

Nataliesgramma — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:31:05 GMT

I have arthritis in my knees.....I started right after Halloween and I finishe last week. I don't work on it every day and I just do a little at a time when I do....

I don't like boxes or bins laying around ....so I bring one in and work until I empty it...

Re: Health issues and decorating

SouthernBee — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:31:07 GMT

@texassunflower : I understand. I have lower back and hip issues and walk with a quad cane. Two friends have offered to help me decorate but big question will they be available to help when time to take everything down! Last year thought family would be visiting and put up big tree. Family didn't come. I ended up in the hospital a week before Christmas. Very easy to get excited about the holidays and do to much. Appreciate friends offer to help.Probably best to decorate and put 3 foot tree on a table. Wreath on the door. Navativity set on the hutch in the living room and yet will be in pain from that amount of work. Southern Bee

Re: Health issues and decorating

DAD — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:32:27 GMT

I have a terrible back. I just finished outside decorations. My husband helped me get the garland with lights around a pillar. I do a wreath, two reindeer & small tree that are lit under our dining room window. I hang two small wreaths on our garage lights. I have two wooden snowmen & a smaller one on our outdoor table. It's all done, but I did everything slowly & while we had 3 mild days in a row. Inside I do a 7 foot slimline tree & keep the decorations simple. I hang two wreaths. I have some special yet simple decorations I put out & it doesn't take long. My husband sets the tree up & it may take me 3 days to do the rest. Just a little each day. And of course flamless candles in the windows. I used to decorate everything in sight. Not anymore. We have already downsized. Good luck & just do what makes you happy! Merry Christmas!

Re: Health issues and decorating

wilma — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:32:58 GMT

@texassunflower

Sorry about your back. Hope you feel better soon.

I used to put something Christmas in every room of my house! It was just too much. We started decorating more simply a few years ago. I went through lots and lots of boxes of Christmas decorations and kept only the basics and sentimental items.

We finally bought a tree with lights already attached (that really helps). Our main decorations are the tree, wreaths on doors, nativity, & electric candles in windows. I have a Christmas tablecloth & centerpiece for our dining table. I can put everything up in a few hours.

I kept our Christmas village houses, but we haven’t put them up in a few years.

Merry Christmas!

Re: Health issues and decorating

AuntG — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:35:40 GMT

Your condition sounds painful @texassunflower . Yes, cutting back is for the best. So far, my back, knees and joints aren't too painful. Still, a tree, wreath and a few Valerie Parr Hill decorations are all that are needed to make a home festive. I've never thought greens and berry garland on stair rails was practical. Also, I've never adorned a chandelier with bows and greenery. You see that stuff in magazines, but no thanks.

Re: Health issues and decorating

ValuSkr — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:41:48 GMT

I'll decorate after Thanksgiving. But it seems hardly worth it for only 3+ weeks. I'll definitely pare it back: no tree and just a few favored decorations, nutcrackers, etc - things that can be easily put out and, later, put away.

Re: Health issues and decorating

kaydee50 — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:49:20 GMT

No health or back issues but we stopped putting up a tree years ago. It's just the 2 of us and it was more work than it was worth. I only put out my nativity set and stable and display a few dozen ornaments. I certainly wouldn't jeopardize my health just to put up some decorations.

Re: Health issues and decorating

Snowpuppy — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 00:09:50 GMT

Checking in with 1 arthritic knee and an autoimmune disorder. 😐

Add to that a long workday.

I kept saying that I would get help decorating, even if just a college kid for a few hours.

I truly lucked out this year. DS came up for a few days to lend a hand. He's even gone grocery shopping for me while I was at work. All I had to do was feed him! Aye yi yi 😭

Re: Health issues and decorating

froggy — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 00:45:28 GMT

I am just giving up for this year. I started pre-surgery chemo for breast cancer in August and it will go through January 2. I feel pretty rotten most of the time but at least I know I should be back to normal by next year. I have some minor back problems (plus old age!) so I feel for those of you with chronic pain. That really does tell you it's time to cut back.

Re: Health issues and decorating

Azcowgirl — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 01:02:46 GMT

I too did most of the decorating yesterday, and last night my back was giving me trouble. I thought I’d probably just do a tree since having norovirus last week left me pretty wiped out, but I made the mistake of looking at the pictures from last year and that did it, had to bring in a couple bins more to add to it. 🥴

Re: Health issues and decorating

luvmybeetle — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 01:03:16 GMT

@texassunflower What's interesting is I decorate more than I used to. I have had back surgery and have degenerative disc disease. I just start in early November and try not to rush or bend a lot. My husband brings the boxes into the rooms and I take out what I need and he takes them back to the basement. I have a tree in 2 bedrooms and a narrow tree in the dining room and one main tree in the living room. I have mostly Radko and other glass blown ornaments so only I put them on. I do all the decorating because I'm very particular. But, my son does most of the outside decorating when he comes on Thanksgiving. I love to decorate for Christmas and if you stand still long enough at my house I will decorate you. I don't over do, I just do little by little. And this year I have some kind of virus that is just killing me. Been in the house sick most of the month of Nov. It looks like I'm moving in slow motion most of the time.

Re: Health issues and decorating

Kachina624 — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 01:03:47 GMT

I don't know why a person with painful health problems would even contemplate extensive decorating. I stick a wreath on the front door and call it good. I got a small, pre-lite 4ft tree several years ago but have never taken it out of the box. Just too.much effort for me and 2 dogs. Time to enjoy the efforts of others.

Re: Health issues and decorating

luvmybeetle — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 01:09:30 GMT

@Kachina624 If those 2 dogs are like the one in your avatar, I'll take them off your hands. I used to have a Collie and adore them. I really miss my little girl. She's been gone since 2006.

Re: Health issues and decorating

Azcowgirl — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 01:10:31 GMT

@froggy wrote:
I am just giving up for this year. I started pre-surgery chemo for breast cancer in August and it will go through January 2. I feel pretty rotten most of the time but at least I know I should be back to normal by next year. I have some minor back problems (plus old age!) so I feel for those of you with chronic pain. That really does tell you it's time to cut back.

@froggy Take it easy, Just enjoy what you can. I had bc surgery two yrs ago this month. Hang in there friend, One day at a time.

Re: Health issues and decorating

1Snickers — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 01:39:00 GMT

It takes longer to decorate now. The tree went up after Halloween with only Valerie's beaded fruit it's slim and takes about 30 minutes.
I enjoy decorating, just for myself. But I have to remember that everything I put out must go back! Then I want it put away ASAP! Sometimes less is more, so I rotate items.
I fractured my back about a year ago, so try not to lift or do heavy items. My problem is the bending and wrapping!
I use QVC bags mostly, but have to wrap some and it's always affected my back.
In your situation I'd do very little, maybe a smaller tree, they're on sale now everywhere!

Re: Health issues and decorating

JYWilliams — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 01:37:55 GMT

I'm sorry that your having so much pain. Just do a little each day. Just don't over do it. And if your not able to put out all your decor then at least you'll have some out.

Re: Health issues and decorating

Sooner — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 01:41:50 GMT

I feel for all of us with health issues, that makes life difficult enough. We pared down years ago decorating and it was more the putting away than the putting up!!! LOL!!!

Re: Health issues and decorating

SunValley — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 03:27:33 GMT

I don’t have any major health issues and it still tires me out. I decorated the mantle and buffet top, and put up a few wreaths. I decorated the tree in stages, taking my time. Cut way back this year and I like it. I used mostly champagne and red, quite by accident. Looking through my Christmas stash, those were the items that “spoke to me” this year. I seem to do less every year. I live on a street with few houses and little traffic, so outside I have a wreath and call it good.