Deck the Halls (and Take Some Ibuprofen)

Did you entertain any guests on Halloween night? We were visited by 13 groups of ghosts, princesses, heroes, and zombies. My girls and I took our turn haunting our neighborhood for goodies as well. God bless the dear souls handing out full-size candy bars, even to eager parental chaperones like me! What is this, Christmas?!

Speaking of which, it’s time to flip the page on the calendar and prepare for the fast-arriving holidays! I know, you probably grumble about the way-too-soon sprouting of Christmas trees next to the Halloween décor at your local retailer. I laugh about it myself, but I confess: we religiously open the attic on November 1st to unleash the holiday cheer in our home, too. Down come the tree boxes. Plastic bins packed with lights, ornaments, greenery, golden treasures, and silver bells all parade their way into the main hall. Popping sounds of bins and boxes echo across the house as they unleash their seasonal joy. Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Michael Bublé paint the air with their familiar festive vocals. The Keurig sets aside the coffee pods and begins churning out hot chocolate… heavy on the chocolate. Slowly, the scent of jubilation begins to fill the air!

Pass me the ibuprofen! This weekend, in addition to setting up our four Christmas trees, I strung the lights on the house, across the back woods, and onto the fence. It takes a solid day and a half, and about a week to recover. I’m pretty much a wimp. I still can’t use my back or even move my legs without pain. I’m used to riding a train of meetings all day, filling out PowerPoints and spreadsheets, not lifting, wrapping, hanging, draping, and zip-tying all that spectacular magic around our home. But oh my goodness, as night fell last night, our yard erupted once again with the multi-colored, sparkling madness that is our seasonal decor. That’s right! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I’m quite sure our neighbors love us.

The holiday season is here! But it can be stressful. There’s so much we want to do. There are projects to wrap up, things to buy, people to see, and tasks to get done. But don’t lose sight of the joy! If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or anxious, pause and reflect. The miracle of merriment presents itself when we get a chance to enjoy our labors, savor the beauty around us, and spend time with the ones we love. So yes, if you’re crazy like us, pull down those boxes. Hang up the delightful decor. Cuddle up next to some cozy memories. Reminisce and appreciate the season. Share time with your loved ones… oh yes, and if needed, take some painkillers as directed.