Author Topic: When do you decorate for Christmas? (Read 888 times)

skarke · « **on:** November 13, 2009, 05:41:15 AM »

Christmas is my favorite time of year. Though the celebration of the Risen Christ at Easter might be the most important event to mankind, I still love all the pretty stuff.

So much so, that I'm thinking about changing for our family the "official" date of Christmas decorating from the day after Thanksgiving to All Saints Day (November 1st).

When do you guys put the stuff up? Am I nuts, or what?

gstewart44 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2009, 06:01:23 AM »

My wife is like clockwork......the weekend after Thanksgiving . I'am at the hunting camp, she goes shopping on Friday, puts up decorations Sat- Sunday. When I come home Sunday afternoon I hang the outside decorations.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2009, 06:05:19 AM »

We set up a real tree one week before Christmas and take it down two weeks after Christmas. After the kids leave home, we'll probably never do it again.

Skunk · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2009, 06:16:47 AM »

My wife is like gstewart44's. A few days after Thanksgiving, the Thanksgiving decorations come down and the Christmas decorations go up.

puma4440 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2009, 01:28:16 PM »

It's all still up from last year...lol

Seriously, we put a tree up after Thanksgiving, thats about it. We have explained what Christmas is to our son since he was three, so no santa around here. We give gifts on Christmas eve, I usually have to work Christmas day.

Skunk · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2009, 01:33:12 PM »

Quote from: puma4440 on November 13, 2009, 01:28:16 PM

We have explained what Christmas is to our son since he was three...

My 7-year-old thinks we should bake a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas.

CharlieT · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2009, 01:48:25 PM »

Good for you Puma!!!!!!!!! My son has never sat on satins ops I mean santas lap. We have told him the truth from day one. How can you lie and tell him santa, easter bunny, and such are real and then expect him to beleive you when you tell him about God. BTW we don,t do the tree deal and on christmas we skip town for 2 or 3 days and get away. That way we avoid the run around of my family to her family to here to there. Just sorry we're gonna be out of town.

rio grande · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2009, 01:55:10 PM »

In our Trailer Park, we just leave the decorations up year round.
This ain't a joke.

Heather · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2009, 03:23:38 PM »

Put it up on the day after thanksgiving and take it down new years!

Heather · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2009, 03:24:10 PM »

Quote from: Skunk on November 13, 2009, 01:33:12 PM

Quote from: puma4440 on November 13, 2009, 01:28:16 PM
We have explained what Christmas is to our son since he was three...

My 7-year-old thinks we should bake a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas.

We did that last year...it was cute and really helps the kiddos understand.

Heather

Oldshooter · « **Reply #10 on:** November 13, 2009, 03:29:09 PM »

I Love the season, and have always enjoyed the holidays. But i hate the decorating and i really hate the undecorating !!! Bah humbug!

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** November 13, 2009, 03:30:21 PM »

We decorated today.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #12 on:** November 13, 2009, 04:01:24 PM »

No set day as long as everything is set to light on DEC 1st.
Stays up till the first weekend in Jan.
I light up 8 trees down the 450"+ driveway along with two lighted wreaths at the end.
I outline the house along with lighted wreaths on the doors and a white lighted star on the roof.
The sheds along with the front of the 32" tall barn get outlined also.
On the front of the barn is a large white lighted star.
All lights are multi colored except the stars.
I get so tired of seeing house after house with just white lights!
It's supposed to be a festive season honoring CHRIST our LORD so make it as joyous as possible.

To me it is also about family and friends.
This is the one holiday we all try to get together on.

Everyone has their own way of celebrating, which is fine as long as they include the FATHER, the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT!

LONGTOM

The Hermit · « **Reply #13 on:** November 13, 2009, 05:01:56 PM »

When Donna was alive, the cabin glow could be seen for miles around. Since she passed, I don't decorate at all except for a small porcelain tree. It was a Disney item she liked because it had "tweety" on it.
"tweety" was her favorite character. She had hundreds of tweety items. I even had Tweety carved on her head stone. I still set a plate for her at the table because she is still here in spirit.
I do like to see the little ones eyes light up when they see the colorfull lights. Christmas is about love and sharing.

The Hermit

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #14 on:** November 13, 2009, 05:14:36 PM »

Quote from: Oldshooter on November 13, 2009, 03:29:09 PM

I Love the season, and have always enjoyed the holidays. But i hate the decorating and i really hate the undecorating !!! Bah humbug!

I am with you here for sure. We decorate when she says so. That happens to be tomorrow. I come home from work today and she was out putting lights on the porch. She then went on to I need you to hang the upper lights this weekend. I told her my 28' ladder was at work and I would not be able to do it this weekend. You know how that went. I am driving 69 miles to get a ladder in the morning!

Dale

skarke · « **Reply #15 on:** November 13, 2009, 06:57:56 PM »

I'm not gonna get to it this weekend, but probably next. I've gone round and round about the Santa thing. I used to be WAY over the top on the anti Santa campaign, but I've melloed in my age, and I really don't see any of my kids horribly scarred from having a little Santa around. They are all baptized, sanctified believers, in spite of Mr. Claus, and it (Santa Claus tradition) has always produced some mighty fine cookies around the tree at Christmas Eve.

After all, guys, the only Biblically referenced ordinances in Christiandom is Baptism and the Lord's Supper. If we are gonna really stick to the essence of Biblical Doctrine, there should be no Christmas at all.

I think that that would be tragic. I really didn't want this to become a theological discussion anyway, I just love the lights, the music, the celebration on the birth of our Savior, and yes, heretic though I may be, I like seeing jolly ol' St. Nick around too.

I have "The First Noel" playing in the background now. All I need is a few snowflakes here in frosty Houston (it's cooled all the way down to a bone chilling 64 degrees), and then it'll be perfect

Swampman · « **Reply #16 on:** November 13, 2009, 10:56:56 PM »

I once belonged to a legalistic anti-Christmas church myself. I'm glad that's behind me.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #17 on:** November 14, 2009, 02:50:18 AM »

Quote from: Heather on November 13, 2009, 03:23:38 PM

Put it up on the day after thanksgiving and take it down new years!

This is a long standing tradition around these parts...The stores, in the mean time set this stuff out after Halloween. The shock value has worn off by now.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 14, 2009, 02:56:15 AM »

growing up we put them up 1 to 2 weeks ahead took them down jan 2nd of the new year. christ now the stores start with christmas right after halloween. they made it so commercial pumping the kids heads with all the new stuff that they have taken the joy from the time.

they put so much pressure on the kids and that relays to the parents as stress that they ruined the season in my mind. i remember just dreaming of the one maybe two things i might get as a kid..a new schwinn bike loaded with headlights and that brand spanking new daisey pump. i was perfectly happy with either one and never once thought i was being denied.

the kids now have list two pages long aand if old enough always have the ipods or cell phones and other high dollar items on the list. the shame is that they really feel denied if they do not get them all and the parents feel as if they somehow have failed if they do not give them it all.

they missed the whole point in my mind......man how i long for those days.... that one simple gift along with the warmth of the love of my family around christmas dinner.

Skunk · « **Reply #19 on:** November 14, 2009, 05:53:36 AM »

Quote from: Heather on November 13, 2009, 03:24:10 PM

Quote from: Skunk on November 13, 2009, 01:33:12 PM
Quote from: puma4440 on November 13, 2009, 01:28:16 PM
We have explained what Christmas is to our son since he was three...

My 7-year-old thinks we should bake a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas.

We did that last year...it was cute and really helps the kiddos understand.

Heather

That's awesome Heather.

williamlayton · « **Reply #20 on:** November 14, 2009, 07:34:33 AM »

Hermit
What a wonderful tribute to your partner. I smiled.

I don't like outdoor decorations--the Hen puts up some.
Tree will go up after T'giving and down around the first.
I could do witout any tree---but theG'kids love it so we put it up.

I do like Christmas---it is a special day to remember my Saviors birth---even though I don't know the day. I remember His birth every day and Honor Him each day, because He deserves it.
Blessings

powderman · « **Reply #21 on:** November 14, 2009, 03:01:53 PM »

I don't think anybody knows the day, or month Christ was born. Dec 25th is the day the Christian world has set aside to commemorate his birth and pay tribute. The important thing is that we set aside a day, right or wrong to worship him and celebrate his birth. I love Christmas, my wife usually starts decorating a week or so after Thanksgiving. Too many people set too much value on gifts and material things. I read somewhere that the Christmas season has the highest incidence of domestic violence and spouse abuse, thats sad, again, too much focus on material things. Jesus is the reason for the season. Do like Heather, make sure the little ones know what Christmas really is all about. Christmas is not just for the children, adults too. Drive around, see the lights, enjoy the beauty that God has provided for your enjoyment. POWDERMAN.

Mohawk · « **Reply #22 on:** November 14, 2009, 06:23:53 PM »

I usually work through the holidays and skip all the decorating stuff. A public servant's workload never takes a holiday. $:-\$

gstewart44 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 15, 2009, 02:44:19 AM »

Quote from: powderman on November 14, 2009, 03:01:53 PM

I don't think anybody knows the day, or month Christ was born. Dec 25th is the day the Christian world has set aside to commemorate his birth and pay tribute. The important thing is that we set aside a day, right or wrong to worship him and celebrate his birth. I love Christmas, my wife usually starts decorating a week or so after Thanksgiving. Too many people set too much value on gifts and material things. I read somewhere that the Christmas season has the highest incidence of domestic violence and spouse abuse, thats sad, again, too much focus on material things. Jesus is the reason for the season. Do like Heather, make sure the little ones know what Christmas really is all about. Christmas is not just for the children, adults too. Drive around, see the lights, enjoy the beauty that God has provided for your enjoyment. POWDERMAN.

+1 Powderman - very well said.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 15, 2009, 02:52:59 AM »

One of the traditions I have continued at my house with my kids is after we decorate the house we go shopping .... for Toys for Tots. the USMC has a huge drive in our area every year during the season. My parents took me every year when I was younger to shop for other families that could use a little help. I remembered that.

I have taken my kids every year since they were three, first to get Toys for Tots, then to our local grocer, who sponsors food bags for those in need. My son is 12 and my daughter is 15 now and they look forward to this each year.

buffermop · « **Reply #25 on:** November 15, 2009, 03:49:11 AM »

If it was up to me, I would not have anything more than a table top tree. Something fast and simple to put up and take down. Christmas is over blown from the commercial standpoint. It is the Savior's birthday celebration. The real deal is that behind the cradle is the shadow of the cross. The reason for him coming down from Heaven in the first place.

skarke · « **Reply #26 on:** November 15, 2009, 05:59:52 AM »

St. Nicholas
Artist: Susan Seals
Used by permission
All rights reserved

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343.

Courtesy St Nicholas Center http://www.stnicholascenter.org

skarke · « **Reply #27 on:** November 15, 2009, 06:23:52 AM »

My Christmas Day decorations in 04. This is Houston, by the way.

Skunk · « **Reply #28 on:** November 15, 2009, 06:28:18 AM »

Beautiful home and decorations Skarke.