Yes, we’re one of THOSE people.
Kevin put our house lights up, too. We’re one of the first to put our lights up in the neighborhood. We’re now the house that everyone sniffs at as they drive past …
“Oh! Can you believe those people?! We haven’t even gotten through Thanksgiving yet!”
Meh. Think what you want. Though I will say this is the earliest we’ve ever put our decorations up. Why this year, you ask?
Beats me. I just felt like it. I love Christmas. It makes me happy. And when we turned the Christmas music on to decorate the tree … *swoon* – I just felt nostalgic, happy, peaceful and content.
I love those feelings.
By the way, our tree is fake and I’m not ashamed.
One of the reasons I’m posting this is because every year. EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. When it comes time to put our tree up, Kevin and I have a debate on what color of lights we had the previous year.
EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR.
And every single year, neither one of us can remember.
EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR.
So this year, I thought I would take a picture and then post it, (because I take pictures and then can never locate them the next year) so that WHEN we have this conversation next year, we’ll remember what color lights we had.
Smart, eh?
Personally, I think white lights are my favorite, but Kevin likes the colored lights better. I like colored lights, especially since they remind me of the trees we had when I was little, but I don’t know, I like the white lights better. They’re … classier, I guess?
The boys, who have now fully moved into the rental house across the street, (LeRoy is in HEAVEN), walked across the street to help me decorate. It’s SO COOL to have them close. I think I’ve seen them more in the past week than I have in the past three months. And I didn’t even have to ask them. They found out I was putting the tree up and came over to help.
*sniff*
We usually put up our homemade ornaments every year. You know the ones, the ornaments that the kids made when they were in school. And the ones we have collected over the years on our travels. But this year … I don’t know, I just felt like doing something a little more … boring traditional, I guess?
I don’t think the boys liked it. They would prefer the handmade ornaments though they would rather have their eyes poked out than admit that. And I swear I detected a note of disappointment in Brandon’s voice when he found out I wasn’t throwing the cheap tinsel “icicles” on this year and instead used these:
Santa still comes to our house. At least for the boys. (Kevin and I don’t buy each other gifts anymore – we go on vacations together – that’s our gift to each other). In years past, the boys came over on Christmas Eve, we played games, snacked and then they spent the night. We then dragged their butts out of bed the next morning, they opened their gifts then we had breakfast together. I’m sure we’ll do something like that this year but they may just want to WALK over the next morning since they will literally be across the street from us.
We have a busy few weeks ahead, as I’m sure ya’ll do as well. We’re having a birthday/Thanksgiving day party at my parent’s this weekend. Then we’re hosting Kevin’s family on Thanksgiving day. And we’ll be hosting Christmas for my family at our house next month. I’m sure Kevin’s mom will want to have a Christmas party at her house sometime next month, too.
So yes. I put our tree up early. And I plan on enjoying every single moment.
When do you put your tree up? What color of lights do you like better? Do you have a real tree or a fake tree?
Talk to me. I’m curious.
Write From Karen 
I haven’t decorated the house inside or out in the eight years since my wife left. Just haven’t felt inspired by the seasons. But this year, I’ve already put a string of lights outside and plan to have a small tree. Maybe things are changing.