Let’s face it, 2020 has been depressing.  The only glimmer of hope we have left before this god-awful year gets put behind us is the Christmas holidays.  Yes, now that Thanksgiving has passed us by, I’m totally into the holly-jolly mood of the season. 

Normally, we only put up our tree on the day after Thanksgiving and the rest of the house decorations come sprinkling in over the coming days.  Not this year.  Like some Hollywood production, it all went up in a day.  Like many of the other houses I have been driving by, the Christmas fluff and floof couldn’t come fast enough this year.  Many homes were fully decked out on November 27^th (and some even earlier) – and who could really blame them?

I told my kids that when I was growing up, many folks didn’t put up their tree until Christmas Eve.  Of course, they just stared at me like I was some sort of nut job as they opened up the attic and began to pull down box after box of Christmas decorations from the attic at 9:00 AM on Black Friday.  Who am I to stand in the way of decorations – especially this year?

My house is an old craftsman-style, 93-year old beauty, with lots of wood finishes, nooks, and alcoves, all just begging to be glammed up for the holidays.  It just screams for greenery, red bows, colored glass ornaments, and other tchotchkes placed on tables, hung from doorways, or arranged on fireplace mantles. 

The outside takes on a very “Currier and Ives” look, with swags of greenery in the windowsills and on the wooden porch posts, lights and garland around the front door, and a small candle in every window.  The tree is prominently displayed in the front window (visible on three sides), and all I would need are some Victorian carolers and a smattering of snow in the evening and all would be right with the world.

There’s nothing better than sitting in the living room by the light of the tree, some soft music on in the background – glass of wine in hand, and slowly watching my LEGO train take laps around the tree as I wrap holiday gifts.

I encourage all of you to decorate with reckless abandon this year – 2020 be damned.  Drag out all of those old boxes, uncovering decorations you haven’t seen for years, put on that Perry Como, Andy Williams, Nat King Cole, or Bing Crosby Christmas album, and start digging into those treasures.  Put it all up.  Watch “The Christmas Story” or “It’s a Wonderful Life” multiple times.  Bake cookies in the kitchen – and enjoy each other’s company.  Immerse yourself in the holiday season and celebrate with faith, joy, and love.

After the last nine months, don’t you deserve it?