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I hesitate to even bring this topic up because…
Someone, somewhere is going to read what I’m going to say here– and that somewhere someone is going to start judging me. I just know it.
However, a bit of negative energy directed my way is not going to stop me from sharing with you, my gentle readers, the fact that:
Our home is already decorated for Christmas.
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I know that it’s early. In fact, I think that the #turkeysbeforetrees idea is a good one. Timely. Putting the emphasis on what is important. But here’s the thing, and there’s always a thing when it comes to Christmas, we are having a large house party the first weekend in December.
How large you ask? Well, at last count, 50 people have RSVPed “yes.” And this means, in practical terms, that the sooner we get the house decorated and organized, the sooner we can start fussing around with the food and drink.
So despite being a person who doesn’t like the idea of forcing Christmas, this year I am a person who, for once, is ahead of the curve on this Christmas thing.
I justify this by remembering three things:
- the more organized I am about this party, the calmer I will be prior to it;
- the calmer I am prior to it, the better the food and drink will be during it; &
- the better the food and drink are during the party, the happier our guests will be.
And who among you, I ask, doesn’t want happy guests at his or her party? Hmmm? ‘Nuff said.
THE SPECTACLED BEAN 
The turkey picture reminds me of the turkey pictures we made in grade school by drawing an outline of our hand and coloring the fingers as feathers. Of course, I was a bad colorer – never inside the lines and used too many colors as if the turkey has dropped some bad chemicals.
And your sanity and enjoyment of the party is my No. 1 priority – so please enjoy.
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Zen-Den, I agree that the pic looks like our grade school turkey art. That’s why I picked it. Love your description of your childhood artistic temperament. I have no prob believing that you were a bad colorer!
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I saw cookies made to look like those handprint turkeys. You should totally make some for your parties. 🙂
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That’s a cute idea. Rather fun, too.
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Did any of you see the picture of the little girl who made a handprint turkey/menorah for Thanksgivikkuh this year? Very cute. I had it on my blog if you missed her gap toothed smile.
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J, I missed that. Sounds perfect.
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I don’t see an issue with it. The degree that I decorate is directly related to the degree that I entertain. If we are not having folks in, I keep it very simple. If there will be an open house or party, we deck the halls. I would not wait to decorate either. It’s the one thing you can do ahead of time!
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kate, amen. You said it: it’s the one thing that I can have in place before I start all the rest. I only bring up the topic because of the Twitter hashtag that I see every so often. Apparently, to some ppl it’s a thing.
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I agree with Zen Den. Your happiness at the party matters, too! I think you are very smart to get the decorations done ahead of time. At least that’s one huge thing out of the way. 50 people already?! That’s a lot! It will be great fun and I’m sure your food and drink will be fantastic:)
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Beth, normally we wouldn’t decorate this early, but this year now that the annual party has grown exponentially– it seemed prudent.
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Hey, sometimes your zen takes priority. Whatever works for you. Lots of people took advantage of the more decent weather last weekend and put up their Christmas lights and outdoor decorations, knowing that the big storm could cause some problems this week. I’d prefer they wait until after Thanksgiving to turn them on, but find no fault with being sensible.
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nance, thank you. I don’t know that we’ve ever been this organized before a party, and I’m loving it. You hit the nail on the head: my zen takes priority!
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No justification needed. So long as you’re not decorating for Christmas before Halloween – or Labor Day – you are doing better than the stores. Now, if you could spare the time, could you drop by here and decorate for me?
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Zazzy, the thing about this whole situation is that I don’t even much care about decorating for Christmas! I only do it so that other ppl will enjoy. Left to my own devices, I’d buy a poinsettia, add a candle and call it complete.
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Most sensible reason for putting up a Christmas tree BEFORE Santa shows up at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade I’ve ever read. 😉
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Thank you. But I do have to wonder how sensible it is for us to have a party with 50 guests… which is the catalyst for this early Christmas decorating binge.
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I absolutely understand why you would need to decorate early and won’t judge a bit. 🙂 I’m not decorating much for Christmas at all and won’t have a tree this year. I just don’t feel like it, so I’m not doing it.
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Margaret, I understand why you’re not doing Christmas decorating this year and won’t judge a bit. We each have to do what makes sense to us this time of year… if we are to remain happy and whole… which we will.
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Jason decorated for Christmas today because it was good weather and we won’t have time to do it later. I think you are so smart to decorate now because it’s always prudent to take advantage of extra non-rushed time to prevent later misery and stress. I did receive one snide comment today about our lights being on, and I wanted to say, “WHO MADE YOU THE CHRISTMAS DECORATION POLICE?!” but I smiled instead and said, “They are such pretty lights, don’t you think?”
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Stephanie, YOU’RE BACK!!! Oh, goody, goody, gumdrop! [But I digress…]
Excellent question. It does seem like there are a few busybodies who take it upon themselves to enforce some imaginary rules of decoration. Love your comeback. Perfect, my dear.
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It’s Thanksgiving Day, and our family eats an early dinner instead of lunch. Just now there is a lull between the hectic preparations and all the guests arriving for the meal. I wanted to take some of that time to visit my blogging friends. I needed to say thank you. Thank you for the inspiration you provide here in your place and for the comments you leave behind when you visit mine. Happy Thanksgiving, friend.
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Relyn, Happy Thanksgiving right back at you! Thanks for taking the time to check in here & comment. You’re always welcome.
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Hey Christmas decorations are cheery – even more so when they are already up and completed. Smart move – and now you can really enjoy.
Anyway, we always put Christmas up for my parents on Thanksgiving when we were there to help – just too big a job for them alone.
I think it’s great you’ve got a pretty tree…and jealous as mine’s not started yet…short time between the 2 holidays this year.
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philosophermouse, I agree– cheery is good. Wonderful that you can help your parents get decorated. We can all use as much help as we can get.
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Can you come decorate for me? Then I can help with the party….good trade? But really, I hope you have a great time. And remember, in other countries they don’t have Thanksgiving and can start decorating whenever they want.
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Sure. It’s a deal. Good point about other countries. Maybe I should just declare our home a new country sans Thanksgiving– and then all will be well.
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I think your reason makes perfect sense. And really, it’s your house, not anyone else’s, so if you wanted to decorate in July, they shouldn’t really bother themselves about it, right?
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J, agreed. So far not one person has said a disparaging word about our earlier-than-usual decorating. But I really did expect to hear a murmur of discontent from someone. Maybe he or she is murmuring very quietly. 😉
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