I dunno, of all of the holiday decor throughout the year, I especially like xmas. I like the lights, I like the festive mood.

I recall as a kid, my mom would take me and my brother to go see houses lit up with xmas lights in the suburbs of Chicago. It was always a treat. There was this one house, where the guy had hooked up a santa sleigh and reindeer on a pulley contraption. About every 2 minutes, the Santa's Sleigh would go to the top of this house and then descend back down. As a little kid...if this wasn't special, I didn't know what is. We would park outside that house for about 10 minutes. It was very cool. Anther one just had a HUGE sleigh in the front yard.

One of my favorite things to do with my mom...was decorating the xmas tree. We'd start at 7pm on a friday night. Get my lazy dad to bring it up from downstairs. He'd put it up and by the time we got to hanging the ornaments, he had to go bowling, so it'd be my mom and my brother and myself. We do the whole tree. Put up the chocolate santas (hide them, so my dad wouldn't eat them all...though one year we hid them so well, that we'd find chocolate santas for a few years to come). But it was when we were done, we'd turn off the lights and just sit and listen to xams music and look at the tree. It was very pretty...though it was fake.

I'm sure the Norway Spruce likes being dressed up LIKE A CHEAP SLUT

Taureau said:

You're only jealous because you can't carry it off.

.
[Edited 12/4/04 9:46am]

BinaryJustin said:

There just doesn't seem like any point. As I said before I won't mind it all once I'm home, although there are some families there who think it's cool to put fake reindeer on their roofs and absolutely cover their entire houses in alternating flashing lights...akin to an Amsterdam brothel

Taureau said:

I suppose one thread jack deserves another.

BTW...That stuff was really special to me as a kid. You need some Christmas Magic. Some holiday Cheer

Taureau said:

No, But I do.

superspaceboy said:

I'm not saying I don't enjoy XMas, I do! I think part of the problem is that I'm living on my own, for the first time, and so the run-ups to this XMas and the last one were quite a lonely experience in my flat even though on both occassions I knew I would be spending the good part of 2 weeks away from it and with my family. Another problem is that my parents have never changed the decorations they use, and as a result the decoration process has become more modest over the years. I have to admit that it does all add up to the whole party atmosphere, but I could never understand why my parents would always adhere to the '12 days after XMas' rule for taking the decorations down.

Taureau said:

I hope that this year turns out to be a better one for you. Xmas alone sucks...and I suppose would make all the decor stand out in it's gaudiness. I still think you need X-Mas cheer. If you can afford it...You should get your folks some new decor this year...just a little bit.

I am a little surprised I like the decor as much as I do, as my real dad used to put up decor right after thanksgiving and take it down after easter. Thank God my mom saved us from that hell with a divorce.

I got something for you... Superspaceboy... hold on a sec.

By they way... as a young child I loved decorating the tree... I was so particular and had to put the lights on a certain way. I actually refused anyone to help.

Later in life... I got into putting up a tree, small at first as I lived in an apartment. Then later, bought a home... bought a good size tree and really got into decorating the house with so many lights. The trees and bushes were cool to coordinate with different colored lights and such. Truly loved it, the lights in particular... not neccesarily the gift exchange aspect. Time spent with family... .

Now, I live in a smaller place... been alone for two years, this will be my second Christmas here. Last year, I did not put a single light up... it was ok, it was just the phase I was in.

This year, I nearly did the same... although... I had beautiful company this weekend and because of their visit, decided to put up a small tree for their arrival, happy I did.

... ~Smile.

Hold on...
[Edited 12/6/04 10:41am]

It does not take much to allow light in...





My little tree, I just took this picture a few minutes ago.

A couple of years ago... I gave away a beautiful artificial tree, truly looked real. I gave it to a family from India, who had just moved here and did not have the money to put up a tree. It can be expensive, if money is tight. I also gave all my decorations away...

So...

I ended up buying a few lights, a simple ribbon and a tree topper. I had these vined autumn leaves... in my closet for I don't know what reason. I pulled them off the vine and put them into the tree. There you have it. My first thought was to gather some pine cones and some dried up cactus pieces to put on the tree, why go into expense when nature can be just as beautiful.

Happy Holidays Superspaceboy... (that is a cute name by the way) If you have children... or plan to, they will be lucky to have a happy go lucky father who understands what the holidays are truly about... time well spent.

Very festive Julie...

I haven't decorated yet.... It takes me forever to take them down.

sag10 said:

Go simple... with just the right touch.

I put it up like a flash of light. Real trees do not take forever to re-shape, they are ready to go. ~Smile.

Happy Holidays.

Freespirit said:

You are very creative, with an artistic touch..

I just put up my tree last night I still have to decorate it.