It Starts with The Tree

 

We did not decorate the house last year. This year, I put up the tree right after Thanksgiving.  I had wanted a "pencil" tree and scoped one out at Big Lots.  It was $75 and that was the price I was looking to beat anywhere else. I went back to the store on Black Friday and it was on sale for $50 -- so it came home with me.  There was no need to buy any new decorations as I like what we have just fine.  Many of the ornaments were too big for the "white princess" tree I had been decorating in the past -- so I'd hang one in each window.  This year, they are all on the tree, which will make putting it all away that much easier.

I really like the scale of a tall, thin tree for our small house.  It fits perfectly in the corner with the "scotch chair" and TBG enjoyed sitting back with a glass of single malt the night we put it up.  He was out in the yard putting up a projector that has a snow-flake pattern in it.  I bought it at 50% off from QVC over the summer.  It will be our understated way to have a light display.  We have a run of houses a block away that put out tons of lights.  When I think of how many Americans struggle to pay their electric bill, it makes me sick to see such a gratuitous over-use.

I did accomplish most of our holiday shopping.  A lot of it was done on-line.  The rest will be obtained from local small businesses.  Next week I am volunteering to wrap gifts at a holiday shopping night at work.  Small local vendors will have their products for sale and we will charge to wrap. The proceeds will go to a charity.  There is also a work party at a local banquet facility that I plan to attend.

I am looking forward to this holiday season.  Last year was one of the worst seasons of my adult life because my job sucked.  Now that I am in a new (and my permanent) position, life is much better. Another co-worker has the same type of job that I do and also started out where I was.  He told me that last fall/winter was the worst time of his professional life too.  My season culminated with a repetitive stress injury from being at my desk 13 hours per day, then being out on disability.  Believe it or not, even though I won my case, the worker comp carrier is still fighting one bill.

This season, I will really relish things because it is such a stark contrast to last year.  Having the tree up restores a bit of normalcy.  Even though we don't go over-board, and we are not even religious, it seems that participating in the season helps make life a bit jollier.  So Ho! Ho! Ho! Let the holidays begin!