We made it! If you’re reading this you survived the entire holiday season. It is officially over, even if you can’t seem to convince a couch surfing nephew it is time to hit the road.
Now it’s time to get those pine needles out of the carpet, clean out the fridge before any more left overs go bad and eliminate all the glitter that gets darn near everywhere.
Yes, it’s time to return gifts that didn’t fit, while investigating why this or that never showed up.
And, a big sigh here, it is time to pack up all the Christmas décor you so carefully displayed this season.
Personally, this is the part that gets me down. And not just down in the back. It’s true I decorate our house until it looks a bit like a Christmas gift shop, but once it’s finished my husband compliments me several times. And that’s even when I don’t take his suggestions. I did, however, hear him tell someone he has to keep moving at home or he’ll get decorated. I don’t care what anyone says, six Christmas trees is not too many, and there’s nothing wrong with a wreath in the laundry room.
But now it all gets packed away. The lights, no matter how carefully you store them, will spend the summer getting tangled up in the box. Batteries in the flameless candles will go dead. And if you’re not careful when you store them, the Kansas summer heat will melt even the most expensive candles.
The sad part is the house looks so plain with all the sparkle and shine gone. Besides, those festive items can hide all kinds of blemishes your house might have.
But speaking of sad, it’s difficult to hang onto that wonderful holiday cheer when all the excitement of the season is over.
That’s going to be one of my goals for the New Year. Remain cheerful until December rolls around again. If you see me frowning, just say “cheerful,” and I’ll get the message.
In the meantime, Happy New Year! Let’s have fun in 2025 and do it all again next year. Maybe with seven trees?
Reach Bonnie Bing at bingbylines@gmail.com
