like a baby when she puts her decorations away and takes her tree down? It makes me sad. A whole year before these things come out again. So much could happen in a year. And Christmas just makes me so happy in both good years and not so good ones I wish the spirit of the season could continue throughout the year.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Although I don't cry like a baby it is still sad when all the Christmas decrations come down. And I agree about the Christmas Spirit. Everyone is nice for a few days/weeks then it is back to the same old same old.

I was so glad to see them go this year. I wouldn't even of put up a tree but we had our family party here. I was glad for the push, but couldn't wait for it to be over. I'm not normally like that, but it was just too hard this year. I used to be like that when my kids were small. I'd leave it up till at least after the first of the year. But everything was put away on the 26th this year.

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Melissa

Anna while I do not cry it is to be always bittersweet, its a lovely time of the year alot of work but in the end it come and goes toooooo fast... Feel better. Peace. Catherine

Ours are still up, as we are not home right now...and will "have XMAS" again when we get home. I am VERY ready to have the stuff put away, and have my house back it's normal self. There is a time and a place for everything...... the time is over, and the place is now in the attic....LOL.

Happy new Year!!!

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

There are people who leave their Christmas decorations up permanently. Tree, lights, figurines, decorations, etc. It seems to be normal for them. I find it odd, but people do it.

dl

I once went into a man's house for my job and his Mother had died at Christmas time around 1999. It was 2005 when I went to his house and the Christmas stuff had been up ever since. The artificial tree was covered in dust and the branches were faded from being in front of the window. There were faded dusty cards hanging on the wall, faded dusty stockings on the mantel, and faded, worn, dusty decorations around the house.
It didn't feel joyful or Christmasy to me it just was so terribly sad.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Honestly ladies we will keep things up all the decorations and tree until 1/2/10 to us the holidays are over and then I have my husbands birthday on 1/9 so I truly like to have all the stuff put away till next year so I and the kids can concentrate on his birthday. Peace. Catherine

We usually keep our decorations up until New Years Day (the day after actually). I kind of like to keep the spirit going until then. Do many of you prefer to take down the decorations right after Christmas?

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

No, tree came down tuesday after christmas. was glad it's not taking up space in the living room. Did notice valentines stuff being put out in stores on the 26th

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In our house the tree comes down when more of the needles are on the floor then on the tree. In part because I get the poor thing up so late due to our seasonal craft show work. And since I hate seeing it come down, I always make somebody else (hubby, Mom... somebody) do it for me.

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Meddle ye not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crispy, and taste good with Ketchup!

I don't like Christmas. I put up a tree for our son, but it's coming down tomorrow. I dread the next coming Christmas. Christmas is stressmas. Yuk. It is so commercialized and it doesn't feel religious anymore. I don't understand (respectfully) how people can like it.

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Donna

I like it because I feel happy at Christmas time. It reminds me of all the wonderful family dinners and gatherings from years past. It reminds me of my loved ones that are no longer with us. It gives me hope and faith that at least for a short time each year people are happy and in a mood to share. The lights are beautiful as are the decorations. And although I know Jesus wasn't born on this day I think of Him and remember what he willingly endured simply to give the world a message of peace, love, and faith.
I love Christmas.
I don't understand how it can be commercialized any more than anything else. And people don't have to buy into that part of it. We all control what goes on in our minds, hearts, and homes. When I am out at Christmas and there are crowds for example I can either choose to be frustrated and upset or I can slow down and be in the moment realizing that it was my choice to go out and of course it's crowded it's Christmas.
I guess at Christmas as well as in other areas of my life I look for the good and happiness in it. And I do believe that happiness is a choice people make. If a person dying of cancer can be happy if a man in a concentration camp can find some happiness then what the heck do I have to be unhappy about?
Donnaquilt I hope the next year you make some new traditions for yourself and your family. You don't have to live up to other peoples' expectations of what Christmas should be or how much to spend. You can donate, volunteer, make your presents, talk about Jesus and what He means to you. Christmas, like everything else in life, is what you make it.
I hope my explanation puts some perspective on it for you. And I hope that next year you can experience the Joy of the season.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Amen Anna!! My sentiments exactly. I LOVE Christmas, as my whole family does.

My tree is still up, tonights New Years, and I so dread taking it down, not just the act of it, but the beauty it takes away. The lights, candles, decorations, all the symbolisym, it's just gorgeous.

Can't wait till next year!!!

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*** Find A Need , Fill A Need ***

So eloquently stated. Christmas isn't necessarily about the things, but spending time with our families and making memories.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

I do all the right things, and I am a very positive person. I am being honest though - I thoroughly dislike Christmas. My family does volunteer several hours per week all year round. We donate to different causes all the time. We have our tradtions. I make wonderful food. I have made tons of gifts over the years. I make supper most nights, and we all eat together. We make memories every day.

I guess I just don't know how to explain it. My teenager expects big presents like his friends get. My mother over buys at presents. Some relatives will have their usual fights about something. I can't control other people.

I work with children. I see too many children that don't have enough of their everday needs met, and then comes Christmas with more sad eyes. I just think it is all too commercialized. The stores want you to buy, buy, buy. And that is all year round. We all have too much "stuff" and I feel Christmas just is the height of gathering more stuff.

I don't mean to put a damper on things. I'm just stating how I feel. I sometimes wish that I felt more positive about it like most of you do. I just don't get that feeling from Christmas.

Hugs, Donna

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Donna

Donna, you do bring up some very valid points about the commercialism of Christmas, and I do think that kids today expect much more than yesteryear. And it seems that many or most get exactly what they request as a present. And the kids that don't get what they really want, might feel less of themselves.
I think it would be neat to one year not buy anything and just enjoy everyone's company, play games, eat all the great food, and just enjoy those moments. That would be the best Christmas.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

When I was growing up we got coats and clothes for Christmas and things like that. And we were not poor that's the just the way things were done. My father grew up in Italy. When he was very little they didn't have much. One year he got an orange for Christmas and saved it until his best friend came over so they could share it. We rarely got toys and when we did it was from an Uncle or our Nonna. Our parents did not ask us what we wanted and we never thought to tell them what to get us.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I love the whole Christmas season. I don't have a problem taking the tree down until we get to Fletcher's ornament. The first December after we lost him I gave everyone in our family a silver bell. Engraved on each bell were the words "Fletcher's Wings". My favorite holiday movie is It's a Wonderful Life, and I love the whole "Everytime a bell rings, an angel gets his wings" thing. So, every year we put his bell on the tree and every year we cry as we take it off. Other than that though.. it's not too emotional.

Anna I simply love everything you wrote about Christmas your so right it is so much more important to be with family and enjoy good food and memories of christmas's past and the loved ones who were there to share the christmas spirit . Did you ever see the movie A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, I simply love love the part when it is christmas and they get the free tree and then they go up into their small apartment and they share coffee and small gifts that part of the movie is so special because it totally reminds me of Christmas past and all the love ones who I shared christmas with . I rather have all those family members back for that would be and truly be the best christmas present for their is nothing like family simplier times but as always less is more always will be. Peace and happy and healthy New Year 2010 to all. Catherine

Although I love the season, I can't wait to get the Christmas things packed up and put away! Our tree comes down the day after Christmas. We have a wood pellet stove, so our tree is always very dry by the time Christmas is over. By the end of the holiday, I always feel like the seasonal stuff feels more like clutter, which drives me crazy. I am fine with it, until December 26th!

Yep, that's what we've done the last two years. We've gone with my MIL, FIL, SIL, BIL and two nieces to my DD's house for dinner. We've had a great dinner, sat around and played board games and had a wonderful, relaxing Christmas with NO presents so NO shopping (except for Toys for Tots)

I have seen this movie and that's exactly what I'm talking about. What about the pilot episode of Little House on the Prairie where Mr Edwards treks through the snow to bring the girls each their own drinking cup and one stick of candy?
That touched many peoples' hearts.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Yes Anna I also remember little house on the prairie I also loved that show and the little cozy home they lived in peace always. Catherine

I cry when I put the things up. I cry when I take them down. But mine is for a different reason. It's because two very important people in my life are no longer here. Many memories come to mind when putting up the decorations.