Christmas Decorexis

Have you heard of Decorexis?  I hadn't until I was flipping through a magazine and happened upon an article about this new modern affliction.  Apparently, symptoms include obsessive foofing, insistence on achieving the perfect decor, and refusal to invite friends over because the throw pillows don't work on the dated, tired looking couch.  Oh no!   I think I have Decorexis!  As I was decorating the Christmas tree, I began to feel a tad embarassed at my motley collection of vintage ornaments.  I soon realized to my chagrin that it was simply not possible to achieve a chic, colour coordinated tree with ornaments gathered over time.  With greater and greater gloom, I looked at photographs of staggeringly beautiful Christmas trees and wondrously decorated homes and thought to myself that my tarnished vintage ornaments and other hand me down pieces could never hold up to such loveliness. 

 Never mind, I consoled myself.  Up onto the tree they go in all of their tarnished, mottled glory.

What matters is the memory of wrapping up warmly, going to the tree lot with a loved one, picking out the perfect one, all the while rubbing one's hands and stamping one's feet against the cold, the precarious, exciting ride home with the tree, and the careful setting up of the tree so that it stands up straight and proud while the room fills with the invigorating scent of pine.   Decorating it with old ornaments that only see the light of day once a year is like visiting with rarely seen good friends.

And, of course, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without jolly Santas.

Or, for that matter, angels, even if their wings are a bit askew and crumpled from being played with too many times.

Wishing all of my lovely readers and friends a Wonderful and Joyous Christmas!

I'm linking up to The Charm of Home, At the Picket Fence, Common Ground, Knick of Time, A Stroll Thru Life.

Deck The Halls

One of the aspects I love about Christmas is revisiting the "old" and seeing it with new, delighted eyes.  By that, I mean the ceremony of unpacking old, beloved decorations and, with the appropriate gravitas, arranging and rearranging them.  There is something magical about pulling aside layers of tissue and then unveiling a treasure trove of glitter and sparkle, especially at this time of year.

And I must declare an overwhelming fondness for jingle bells at any time of the year.

Of course, displaying little vintage wooden toys is perfectly acceptable at Christmas time, even if one is well beyond the age when whirling toys brought hours of amusement.  Admittedly, they still do.

Even though the days are shorter now and darkness falls swiftly, there is a delight in turning on twinkling lights and watching the reflected glow.

House and home is transformed into a winter wonderland.

All that is needed now is the company of loved ones.



I'm linking up with My Romantic Home, At the Picket Fence, The Charm of Home, Common Ground, French Country Cottage, Knick of Time, A Stroll Thru Life, Ivy and Elephants.