Community Chat

[jeanlake]

I haven't put up a tree since I became an empty nester four years ago. Now I just pick my favorite areas to decorate and if anyone makes a comment I say -- go ahead and put the tree up. Go for it. But you need to put away the things you put out. I decorate the front door, put out the nativity scene, cover the mantel with my snow people collection, put up lighted winter city on the window seat in the dining room, and put out the dining table centerpiece. That's all I want to do now and it's okay. No guilt zone. There's no right or wrong way to prepare for the holidays. Be kind to yourself. Don't feel guilty!

[Peaches McPhee]

You need to stop caring what other people say and make your own decision. Do what makes you happy. You are in charge of this one.

[toodles11]

Goodstuff,

I have never seen a tree with the stand already attached. I wonder if any of the places that sell trees would have that. I wouldn't mind doing that at all.

[pinky ann]

KingTut: I have to agree with all of the above posts. Please do only what is meaningful to you! Your neighbor had no right to say what she did, and I hope you'll forget it sooner than later.

Christmas is in your heart, not on a tree. I love to decorate, but at times have just put up a small 3 or 4 ft. tree, a few mantle decorations, and was very happy with it. Please do exactly what will make you happy!

BTW, My sister loves the Christmas holiday, and has never put up a tree! I don't think she has ever heard anything negative from anyone about her decision. pinky

[Pickwickpapers]

I also agree that you are not obligated to put up a tree or to put lights in your windows. Just do whatever you feel comfortable doing. I am in your position and will put a wreath on my door, a bow on the mailbox, & a few decorations in the living room and a small decorated plant on my dining table. Getting out my tree and putting up lights are way too much for me to handle. I have holiday kitchen towels that I use too along with a bowl of Christmas candy that I place on the kitchen cabinet. Just do what you want and what makes you feel good.

[AnikaBrodie]

Do what makes you happy and not what others think you should or should not do. When my MIL moved to a senior apartment she never put up a tall tree again. Instead, she got a small tree (I think it was either a 1 1/2 or 2 foot tree) that was fully decorated with lights and ornaments. It was a no mess, no fuss tree and when Christmas was over it was easily stored til the next year. It worked great for her.

[151949]

When we lived in Pa I would buy a small - maybe 3 ft potted live tree , decorate it then keep it alive til spring and we would plant them in the yard. We had a lovely border to our yard of nice pine trees. Now I have a wonderful alcove right next to my kitchen and it really calls out for a Christmas tree so we do the work and I am always happy that I do. However, because I am terrified of accidentally bringing in a snake, a frog or a lizard , not to mention insects - we now have an artificial tree - and because we have 10ft ceilings here it is 9 ft high.

[stevieb]

I haven't wanted to for a while now, but persist in putting up something every year. Last year it was a very cute table top tree and that would probably be my preference again this year, but I'll probably put up something a bit larger. I foresee the day when I decorate with a few winter items and some pretty flowers and call it done. I've scaled down significantly over the years and am doing even more scaling back this year. It's just too much for a few weeks of enjoyment.

[cotton4me]

I no longer do any Christmas decorations. It's very freeing.

[OnlyShopsOnline]

If it weren't for my 2 year old grandson coming to the house a couple of days a week, I wouldn't even decorate anymore. It's a chore that I just no longer enjoy. However, he really enjoys all of the seasonal decorations.

Each year seems to come around so much more quickly, lol. I think I'd be happier if we celebrated every other year.

A few years ago, we bought a pre-lit table top tree, in a very pretty planter. We leave the decorations on the tree and just cover it up and store it in the basement after Christmas. The whole thing takes about 5 minutes. When we put it up, it sits on a table just under one of the small windows that are on either side of our fireplace. From outside, it looks like a full size tree.