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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Deck the Halls {a confession}

I have a confession to make.

I never took my Christmas tree down last year.  It's been up almost a full year.  Sometimes I turn on the lights.  Even in July.  Do not judge.  It makes me happy and it's always nice to have some extra lighting.  Plus it made me feel like I was living in a Pottery Barn holiday catalog every single day.  And you just can't beat that feeling.  And it made me hopeful for snow days even in the heat of May.  Hey, it could happen.  You know what they say: Christmas ain't over til the crazy lady undecorates.  Wait.  Do they say that?  Well, they do now.

You see, last year I got a fabulously huge Christmas tree.  It's absolutely gorg.  It took me about two weeks to get it up and decorated to my liking.  And I liked it so much that I couldn't just take down all of my hard work a few weeks later.  That's the worst part about Christmas.  I love all of the decorations but they have to come down so quickly.  So I intended to leave it up until the end of January.  The end of January came and went and I planned to turn it in to a Valentine's tree.  Well...the hearts never made it on my tree so I decided I would give a spring tree a shot with butterflies and flowers.  Spring sprung and before I knew it I was out of school for the summer and my tree was still up.  At that point, I saw no reason to take it down only to put it up again in a few months.  Right??

Throughout all of this, every single family member and friend thought I was an ABSOLUTE NUT.  But guess what?  Here I am, relaxing on the couch looking at my beautiful tree while all of my friends and family rush around, climbing up attics and dragging decorations out of basements and garages because it's suddenly socially acceptable to deck the halls.  Chances are, I'm the smartest one in my crew.  Sure, the tree may have been a bit out of place in July but really, the way time flies these days, the season came 'round again before I knew it.  And now I don't have ANY holiday decorating to do.  I am beyond brilliant.  Beyond! Brilliant!  So THERE!  I'm totally onto something.  I imagine I'll be starting a trend here pretty soon. 

Whew.  Feels so good getting that off my chest.  Maybe that helps some of you understand exactly why I was planning a Christmas gift exchange in October...

I want to know...when do you put up your decorations?  When do you take them down?  Have you ever left yours up all year-or known anyone who has?  And will you still be my friend even though I just shared some of my crazy with you?

Here's a little Christmas tree teen numbers freebie for those of you who will continue to be my friend, even though I'm slightly to moderately crazy.


PS: Don't forget that I'm running a sale over at my TpT store!  20% off everything, including some of my new holiday products!  Use the code CMS28 on Monday for an additional 10% off! 

20 comments:

Holly said...

I had to look at your "about me" picture to see if I thought you looked "normal"...HA! Just kidding {okay, no I'm not - I did look} I hearby declare you a normal looking individual who...left her tree up all year long?!?! HUH?! Teasing...you are one smart girl, I had to "put mine together"...and I *hate* pulling the limbs this way and that to make it all look right...all itchy and scratchy and tiresome. I never seem happy with how it looks...

You should take a picture!!!!!

Thanks for the freebie! :)

Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

Mrs. Kindergarten...aka...Madame Spoiled said...

My best girlfriend has well over 40 trees in her beyond GoodHousekeeping home. She takes down Halloween and UP goes Christmas. My Mama's best girlfriend SEALS off her entire living room, other~wise know as the Christmas room. It stays up year~round. I, myself am a day after Thanksgiving girl. It killed me to take it down last year as all my lights are now white and PiNk! I adore it! No two ornies are the same! Very eclectic!

Love and Hugs,
Mrs. Lilly Kindergarten

The Fantastic Frogs said...

I applaud you! We are on the other end of the spectrum... Our family is lucky IF we have our tree up by Christmas..no joke..you've probably seen us..We're the ones buying our tree on the 22nd or 23rd..True story. But now I guess it's just part of the tradition and I think you should start a new one of keeping trees up all year..after all it should be Christmas everyday!!

Jess said...

WHOA!!!! I love Christmas a lot but I would not leave mine up all year. Due to the fact that I alway have to by a real tree and lets face it that would not last all year. I love the smell of real trees! I decorate the first week of December and leave all the decorations up until the 1st of January. I love pulling down all the decorations and falling in love with them all over again each year and thinking of all the memories each one has made from the Christmas years before. Ahh I love Christmas and can't wait to decorate next weekend!

Katie @ Miss Klohn's Classroom said...

When I have my first house I plan on having a closet where I can just slide my Christmas tree into it so I do not have to take it down every year!

Adventures of a 6th Grade Teacher

Holly said...

Katie - that comment made me chuckle. I think we need a "like" button on our blogs {seriously, I looked for one - forgetting where I was!}

Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

Delighted said...

My side is hurting from laughing so hard! I want to be more like you!! I folded to easily when my husband told me it was time to take the tree down. This year I'm going to stand up to what I really believe is the right thing to do... a keep my tree up all year. Probably not, but I can dream anyways. My husband has promised me that in our dream house we will have a revolving wall where our Christmas tree will stay up all year long. Maybe someday....

First Grade Delight
imgoingfirst@gmail.com

Dee said...

Hi Caitlin,
I'm passing the Sunshine Award to you because your blog is filled with great ideas and I love reading it. Thank you!
Dee
First Impressions

Unknown said...

Thanks for the freebie! I was wondering if you would share where you got your frame around the trim a tree with teens page! It's super cute!
Reagan
Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits

Ms. Preppy said...

Yes, I am very normal. Except for this. And the vegetarianism. And the chocolate allergy.

You girls wanting a closet to stick your tree in during the rest of the year have the right idea!

Reagan- it's part of Tracee Orman's freebie pack from TpT. :)

Caitlin

Mrs. S. said...

I love it! My darling hubby took our trees down the week of Valentine's Day (or they'd still be up)...but I kept out my nativity (Joseph and two of the wise men are taller than my knees). The nativity stayed on my coffee table all year long...dead center of our great room. Hubby tried to put it away twice. I put it back immediately upon finding it gone. It is my favorite reminder of Christmas and its meaning. Beautiful handiwork. :) God bless you as you enjoy your tree and honor Him.

Melly<><

Stapler’s Strategies for Sizzlin' Second Graders!

Anonymous said...

BIG SMILE here! I too leave my tree up all year! My friends thinks I am nuts too. The neighbors can't see it except the ones that live in the back and by summer time the trees outside have gotten leaves on them and they can't seem it! We have to dust it once in a while to keep it from becoming a dust bunny tree! Go for it!

Anonymous said...

You are really funny. Thanks for the great laugh!

Anonymous said...

I love Christmas too...I have a real tree each year, so I have to throw it out after the holidays. :o) Thanks so much for the freebie - it is cute and exactly what we're working on right now! Happy Holidays!

Martha said...

Thanks so much for sharing the teen tree idea. My kiddos will enjoy completing this one!

Kristin said...

Thanks for the freebie.
Onto other things --- WHAT?!? What in the world? I am cracking up at your confession. I read it to my hubby and all of the comments, too. He likes the idea of a closet to slide it into and then just slide it back out. We decorated ours tonight and we are watching Love Actually (which really is a Christmas movie, really). :) Thanks for the smile!!!!

Classroom Confetti said...

Hi! I don't know if you remember me, but you were my first follower! I gave you the sunshine award over on my blog! For my few followers to see! :) Just wanted you to know!

Classroom Confetti

Deana said...

I gave you the sunshine award!! Stop by Primary Punch and check it out!!

Primary Punch

Karlie said...

Thank you for the freebie! So cute:)

Jennifer said...

O.M.G. I confess, I couldn't make myself undecorate until mid-February. I thought I was the only one! Ha! Should have known....
Rowdy in First Grade