The Great Christmas Debate . . .

. . . you know, the one about when to take down the decorations.  If you think Republicans and Democrats are having a hard time solving the fiscal cliff crisis, just try this one on for size!

     My mother had steadfast rules for decorating when I was growing up.  We were not allowed to be the tree up until two weeks for Christmas (always live, NEVER artificial) and everything was to come back down New Year's Day.  I hated waiting so long to begin decking the halls, but I really abhorred packing it all away.  As the oldest child, it often seemed that I was left to handle it all by myself, except for getting the boxes back in the attic.  That was Daddy's job, and he enjoyed his part even less than I did mine.  I made up my mind that when I became a "grup," I would tinsel and light by my own rules.

     We usually put our tree up (yes, a live one) the first week of Christmas.  It takes so much work that I want to have at least a full month to enjoy it.  Of course, there all those lucky years when Thanksgiving falls early and you get an extra week!  Since I know people who start with all the red and green on Turkey Day, I do not catch much flack for being too early.  The debate comes in on when to take all that finery down.

     Some people insist on starting the day after Christmas.  They definitely don't have a large southern family that is still busy celebrating until the 29th.  There are also those who follow my mother's tradition of pulling it all down on New Year's Day, but I'm still young enough that I want to enjoy the night before and not burden myself too much on the first day of January.  Lastly, I heard a local so-called civility expert claim that all decorations should be gone by January 6th "because your neighbors will be tired of them."

     I beg to differ.  No, I'm not one of those people who wants to see your Christmas lights at Easter.  I am, however, both southern and Episcopalian.  I'm not sure if it is one, or both, of these characteristics that makes me keep my house Yuletide ready until the second week in January . . . but any good Christian knows about Three Kings Day.  If the wise men did not arrive in Bethlehem until January 6th, then my house is going to be shining with tiny lights and bedecked with evergreens to welcome them in.  I do not think my neighbors are bothered by this, but if they are, my deepest apologies (and just look the other way for a few days.)

     Whenever you decide to pack it all away, my hope for you is this:  neither broken glass nor needles stuck in your vacuum, and wonderful memories to tide you over until the time to do it all again.

     

A Dying Art . . .

     I have always loved writing letters.  It may be because I tend to be old-fashioned or because I'm academically trained as an historian.  Perhaps it was my grandmother's insistence that I be reared with a deep appreciation from whence I came.  Regardless of the reason, I try to pen several letters a month, and I insist on signing and addressing some seventy-odd Christmas cards every year.  No photo cards or pre-printed labels in this house!

     When my grandparents were removed from their house this past summer, my letter writing became more diligent.  I was unsure how to reach them, but my grandmother especially loved receiving mail from me.  I started writing to both of them more frequently, and after my grandmother passed away, I have kept up my efforts to communicate with my grandfather.

     A few months later, a friend of mine was lamenting on Facebook about how no one takes the time to actually write to anyone these days.  I completely agree.  An actual written letter is very different from an email or Facebook post.  People tend to think how their comments will affect others (for good or for bad) when they take a pen to paper.  I also miss real letters from an historical point of view.  How many people take the time to print out their emails, posts, or tweets?  What will future generations have left of us to study?

     I made the decision to start a personal campaign.  I did not want this to be a New Year's resolution, because then it seemed doomed to fail.  Instead, I started during one of the busiest times of year:  December.  I decided, starting December 1st, to write one letter, every day, for a year.

     So far things are going well.  Some of my letters are long, some are just short thank-you notes, others are birthday wishes.  I plan on sharing some of these with you as my journey progresses.  If I do not get around to doing so until 2013 . . . Merry Christmas to you all!