Packing Up Christmas . . .

Packing up Christmas . . . .
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Decorating for Christmas starts with pulling down our storagencrates full of decorations. I counted this year - we have 10 ofnthem - full to the brim. When I was done decorating I still had 3 full boxes full of decorations that weren't being used. . .ndecorations which have been replaced by new ones I'm fonder of, or boxes full of stuff I've held onto because we might have more room for them someday!

These unused decorations have moved with us from Califo
ia, to
South Carolina, to New England and still they get put back intonstorage each year, without being part of our Christmas celebration. To be honest I'm not sure how I even thought I had time to manage setting up and breaking down all of these decorations each year. How exhausting!

This year I decided it was time to let go and pass them on to someone that would love, honor and display them more than we had been able to. We donated three large, merry boxes full of holiday cheer - I see each decoration flying off with their newnowners who are happy to have them, spreading cheer where ever they go! (okay, it's weird, but it makes the letting go easier for me!)

I was careful not to hit the after-Christmas sales to replenishnmy supply of decorations while everything is marked down. That has always been an undeniable temptation for me! But this year I was good and kept my sights on keeping what I love and leaving the rest for someone else!

I've started packing up the decorations again for another year. As I do I find I'm letting more and more go, setting it aside tondonate . I feel lighter. Steve appreciates fewer boxes to lug up and down. We are both grateful for all that we have (andnapparently all of the extra that we have to give!)

The real message of all of this is to surround yourself with whatnyou love and what makes you feel good, no matter what the season.

Happy New Year!