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[lynnie61]

@magicmoodz   It's probably just me, but I am no where near ready to get rid of the tree.  However, I must say, I don't spend the time that some do on their tree.  My sisters tree takes three days to get it up, then probably two to get it down.  It's soooo beautiful, I will say.  I can put my tree up, decorate it in less than an hour.  It's not as grand as my sisters, but the flocking, lights and my special ornaments and a few added picks, it's still beautiful.  

Its calming to me, love looking at it all season long.  One year, we traveled 10 days near Christmas, then had a family health issue,  and I didn't put the tree up.  I know I'm not ready to give up on my tree.  I put it up usually Thanksgiving weekend, and it stays up until the first week of January.  It's my first Christmas being retired, so I'm going to really enjoy it this year.  

[magicmoodz]

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@suziebee1 wrote:

@magicmoodzI haven't put up a tree for 2 years - have not missed it at all.  I do put out some Santas and other things, but don't miss the tree.  You could always get a small table topper tree and keep a few ornaments to put on that, but I say if you want to get rid of the big tree, do it.

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@suziebee1 

Thank you for sharing. Sometimes I find myself doing things out of habit. I think I would get more joy out of passing my tree on to a family who might truly enjoy it.

[magicmoodz]

@amyb 

Thanks for chiming in with some very good ideas!

I was always the one trying to to cheerlead others to have a Christmas tree no matter the size, their religion (haha!) or if they were only going to be in town for a few weeks during the holidays, offering to help in any way I could. Now I wonder if I was obnoxiously in their business.🤔😲😅

[magicmoodz]

@gidgetgh 

I appreciate your comments. It sounds as if you are content with your decision of limited holiday decor.

I remember how diligently you worked on downsizing the things in your house and I am sure when the time came it made your move so much easier. That is definitely in the back of my mind.

[magicmoodz]

@RedTop 

Everybody is happy in your family! If trucker daughter wants a tree up, she can do it!😄

Thank you for sharing. I enjoy hearing what other people do over the holidays.

[magicmoodz]

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@rnmom wrote:

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@magicmoodz wrote:

Ladies, I have a dilemma! I am toying with the idea of donating our Christmas tree and all of its decorations.

The last few years I have hinted that we not put up a tree, but my husband insisted and who am I to steal his joy? 

My family is all across or out of the country for months during the winter months. His family is too big now to host a holiday gathering unless we do it in our party room.

So anyway, this year he seems a little more amenable. Maybe he is tired of hauling everything up from our storage in the parking garage. 

I will definitely keep my beloved Santa Claus collection and my candle collection. I saw a wall hanging online that is intriguing me--ornaments, acorns, snowflakes, etc. hanging from a big horizontal white birch branch. I do think we could re-create it. 

Will I regret getting rid of our tree? Any sage words of advice?

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@magicmoodz - Did you still put up a tree this past Christmas? If you did, what I would do is, not put up a tree this year and see how you feel about it. If it makes you sad and you regret it then you can put up your tree again next year. If it is a relief not to have to go to all the work and you don't miss it, then I would donate your tree and decorations next year. But I wouldn't get rid of anything until you know for sure that you won't regret it and wish you had it back. 

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@rnmom 

That is very sound advice. Thank you. Yes, we had a tree last year and the year before and the year before that.😄 Even if we were vacationing over the holidays, I always made certain to have a tree up before we left.  

I think this whole idea of moving has me in a tizzy! Where do people who live in apartments even store their holiday decor?

[magicmoodz]

@amyb 

Such good ideas! Thanks for the inspiration!

We have not had a real tree since (2 houses ago😄) I could hear the needles falling on the hardwood floor. I was so angry I undressed that tree and hauled it back to the store for a refund!

I do make sure to have lots of real greenery and berries in vases to get the wonderful smell of evergreens. 

I don't have a hurricane, but like the idea of a glass vessel holding ornaments. Maybe a trifle bowl would work?

[magicmoodz]

@lynnie61 

Thank you for commenting. It is nice to hear you get so much enjoyment out of your holiday tree. And your sister's tree must be beautiful.  

I have read on this thread or another? that you have recently made a move. Considering I am entertaining the same, I love hearing how others cope undertaking this task. Sounds as if you have everything under control. My OCD can get in my way of moving forward.  

[gidgetgh]

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@magicmoodz wrote:

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@rnmom wrote:

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@magicmoodz wrote:

Ladies, I have a dilemma! I am toying with the idea of donating our Christmas tree and all of its decorations.

The last few years I have hinted that we not put up a tree, but my husband insisted and who am I to steal his joy? 

My family is all across or out of the country for months during the winter months. His family is too big now to host a holiday gathering unless we do it in our party room.

So anyway, this year he seems a little more amenable. Maybe he is tired of hauling everything up from our storage in the parking garage. 

I will definitely keep my beloved Santa Claus collection and my candle collection. I saw a wall hanging online that is intriguing me--ornaments, acorns, snowflakes, etc. hanging from a big horizontal white birch branch. I do think we could re-create it. 

Will I regret getting rid of our tree? Any sage words of advice?

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@magicmoodz - Did you still put up a tree this past Christmas? If you did, what I would do is, not put up a tree this year and see how you feel about it. If it makes you sad and you regret it then you can put up your tree again next year. If it is a relief not to have to go to all the work and you don't miss it, then I would donate your tree and decorations next year. But I wouldn't get rid of anything until you know for sure that you won't regret it and wish you had it back. 

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@rnmom 

That is very sound advice. Thank you. Yes, we had a tree last year and the year before and the year before that.😄 Even if we were vacationing over the holidays, I always made certain to have a tree up before we left.  

I think this whole idea of moving has me in a tizzy! Where do people who live in apartments even store their holiday decor?

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@magicmoodz - they more than likely don't have that much holiday stuff. As always, only speaking only for me, but it is so freeing to live with less. 

[lynnie61]

@magicmoodz   Yes, I recently moved from years and years in an apartment to my childhood home.  No, 🤣🤣. I don't have it under control.  My father moved into independent living and I'm dealing with his stuff and MY stuff in this house.  At least the move is done, and now it's just sorting, deciding what I'm keeping, donating, trashing.  He still asks for things, and sometimes, I just don't want him thinking I cleared all of his 50 years of life from here - that nothing mattered.  its a bit hard. 

My apartment was a 2 bedroom, and the facility provided a storage "locker" in the basement.  It was probably 4' x 4 ' and went to the ceiling, so I could keep my tree and several bins in there. I also had too much stuff, so I'm trying hard not to bring more in.  That's why I love this thread.  I will never be a minimalist but I need to not add more.  I like my dishes, seasonal decor, make up.  It's quite the process.  Good luck.  Lots of wonderful posters on this thread.  I enjoy it, and it helps to know others experience the same need to declutter.