January 2nd, A Sad Day
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
Canada
January 2, 2017 7:38am CST
Today is the day we start to say good by to our favorite Christmas ornaments.
The snow has melted but we are sure it will be back by the weekend, Its going to rain today and tomorrow. it will be in the 40's so all the Christmas things will come off the sun porch while it comfortable to stay out there. ...Tomorrow..
Our inside tree will come down tomorrow...
Today all the nativities, the Santa's, the angels and wreaths and odd and sods of Christmas decorations will be packed and put away in the basement.
This year I'm paying attention and I've started a box of things I don't want anymore (and I know my kids won't want either) to go to the local charity shop and when I visit it next fall I will see them for sale there...
We seemed to collect a lot of Christmas items over the last 50 years. This is our 50's Anniversary year. (later in the fall)
So good-by my collections of Santa's, nativity's and angels and I'll see them again next year...
The photo shows our inside tree and a few of my primitive Santa's I carved out of driftwood.
It makes me sad to put them away, does it make you sad when you put away your favorite seasonal things?
But I refuse to dust them all year....
22 people like this
26 responses
@rina110383 (24492)
•
2 Jan 17
That's what I did today for 9 hours. I had to remove and pack all Christmas decorations. My parents' place was heavily decorated. I had to remove all decorations on four floors of the house, pack them and place the boxes in the storage room. I wish they won't be decorating anymore next year. It was an exhausting activity.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
2 Jan 17
a relative also does that, lots of decorations. but i don't know anyone who does 4 floors! you're a good daughter to help them.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
2 Jan 17
@rina110383 four floors is three too many for me. I decorate only one and enjoy them although I will admit I don't look forward to taking it all down.
2 people like this
@rina110383 (24492)
•
2 Jan 17
@hereandthere I pity my parents. Our helpers just resigned last November. They've been doing chores on their own that's why I spent 3 weeks here in their place to help them. Everyday, I do the chores. Tomorrow, I'm leaving their place because I have to resume working by Wednesday.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
5 Jan 17
@LadyDuck Same here too. We have friends who celebrate Orthodox Christmas and we usually leave our decorations up until then, don't know why we didn't do it this year, Orthodox Christmas is on the 7th..
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
2 Jan 17
it seems i was more creative this year and have ideas for next year. i will take them down this weekend (jan 7 or 8).
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
Mine is down, early for us but it just happened...packed and pout away, cleaning up the pine needles will take a long time...
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
5 Jan 17
I like the norm too but I miss the colored lights....
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
10 Jan 17
@PainsOnSlate Yes, I do miss the pretty lights. We still have some lights on our balcony.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Jan 17
I love the driftwood carvings! It is pretty neat that you took some old driftwood and made it into something nice! My son and I took down all of our Christmas decorations yesterday. I always hate taking down the decorations and the tree, because it means the end of another Christmas season. But, thankfully, we got everything taken down from outside, as it started storming really badly last night (and still raining this morning).
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121621)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Jan 17
@PainsOnSlate You've got a very nice talent!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
5 Jan 17
Glad you liked my santa's, I kept a few of mine and sold the rest of them in a flower shop. When my parents passed on I took back the ones I made for them, I had fun doing the wood carving and then moved on to other things.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
2 Jan 17
Your driftwood Santas are so nice. I started putting a few things away yesterday. Yes it always makes me feel sad when it comes to packing things away for another year. I enjoy all the lights and decorations of the season . Everything just seems so dark when they are gone. Time to get back to a somewhat normal routine.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
5 Jan 17
I am glad its over and put away it is time to focus on other things. I do love Christmas but now I'm looking forward to spring. and Thank you, glad you enjoyed my santa's.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
5 Jan 17
@PainsOnSlate yes I am looking forward to spring too but I can't complain because we have had a good winter so far.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
@Happy2BeMe it's very cold today, it snowed over the night but only a dusting is on the ground. I know the snow will soon come and bury us...
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 Jan 17
I put my tree away on Saturday, and was quite happy to do so. We have had it up since Thanksgiving day.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
6 Jan 17
@PainsOnSlate I only put it up so early cause we were all together. My oldest was over and we had the time. Normally I'd wait a couple more weeks. Plus it's an artificial so it didn't matter.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
That would be a bit too early for me but I'm glad it s down now and we are heading to spring,,,,long way away but we can hope.
@rebelann (112885)
• El Paso, Texas
2 Jan 17
I only had one ceramic santa sitting in the kitchen window by the sink, he's now in the cupboard again.
About the last statement: Just think, you'll have a little of 2016 when you unpack this coming December, then if you still don't dust them you can collect a 2nd years worth
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112885)
• El Paso, Texas
6 Jan 17
I understand that completely @PainsOnSlate
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
I'm not good a dusting. I need a maid and my husband witll grab the swiffer when it get too bad. Dust is not a priority for me....what dust???
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51102)
• Canada
3 Jan 17
I do get a bit sad to put the decorations away, especially the Christmas ones because there isn't anything right coming up next to decorate for. But its nice to clear the house and get it all clean again, you cannot dust properly with the decorations up.
Pretty smart idea of setting aside what you will donate.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51102)
• Canada
7 Jan 17
@PainsOnSlate We used to have 2 large Christmas trees. One year we decided that 2 trees was just 1 too many, so on Boxing Day my husband took the decorations off of the 1 tree, packed them up, put them and the entire tree into the SUV, and I dropped that load off on my way into work. And I don't miss that at all!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
I have two boxes already and my husband added some of his blazers and ties...the ties are hilarious - the old ones....huge... He went through some kitchen stuff (he cooks) and has a box of stuff from the kitchen we never use - I asked the kids if they wanted and only one said yes, the old muffin tins... I'll have a van full soon for the Benevolent... It feels good to lighten the load that live in the basement.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
I realized that a lot of mylotters don't celebrate Christmas after I wrote this, I think I will not use religious holidays as a topic anymore. I hope you had a wonderful Hanukkah.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
6 Jan 17
@PainsOnSlate Don't worry about me! I enjoy hearing about it all. Thank you. Hugs!
1 person likes this
you got that right
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
I rarely put it all away, i used to keep all my snowmen out and skiers too but I'm missing not being able to play in the snow so I put it all away...
1 person likes this
@paigea (36317)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
@PainsOnSlate sorry you have to miss out. You need a sled and dog team!
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Jan 17
I am almost done putting things away, today I will finish. Just have the tree to take down.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
Its finally finished. it took me more time than I thought it would. But I have a couple of boxes for the charity shop...
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Jan 17
@PainsOnSlate It's always good to be done.
1 person likes this
@diosabella (4789)
•
3 Jan 17
Im always excited to take them out and place them around the house when christmas is coming but I dont like when I have to pack them now that the holiday is over so I wait for atleast a week to do it making an excuse that the 3 kings are not arriving yet.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
I understand...If I had known the three kings were coming I might have waited longer...
1 person likes this
@diosabella (4789)
•
7 Jan 17
@PainsOnSlate They did yesterday... Maybe I use the Chinese New Year to have an excuse. The house would look really lonely without the ornament. 
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
7 Jan 17
My decorations were packed away yesterday but I let the tree stay for one more day. I am always sorry to put the Christmas tree away it is so pretty - I suppose part of the pleasure is that we only have it for a short time so it is always unique even if it contains the same ornaments every year.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
7 Jan 17
I have such a collection I thought I had put away everything but found more today, I think I'm done now. it is just too short. I might have to put up the tree earlier next year.
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
3 Jan 17
Happy anniversary in advance. Ours is in 2018. I really want to take that 35-day cruise that Holland America offers, it goes to Greenland, Iceland, Norway and lots more. I have to start thinking about booking it. If I was home my tree would stay up until Candlemas, February 2.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
Never heard of Candlemas, Ours usually stays up until Orthodox Christmas but for some reason we were in a hurry to get it down...It gone, I feel better all put away for next year.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
3 Jan 17
We do know some who have certain things out all year. Why not? If it is their 'thing' and they don't mind the dusting (would not be for me) go for it.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
3 Jan 17
Mine are coming down as we speak . . packed away for another year - I have ornaments that are 35 years old and so is my tree, I dont see any point in getting NEW - they do the job of creating a spiritual awareness during the Christmas season
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
I don't buy new ones either - mine are old because we've been married 50 years I have some of my parents ornaments too. My children usually come up with an interesting new ornament every year for me. I do enjoy those.
1 person likes this
@jyotiu28jul (403)
•
3 Jan 17
Yes I do.. But I start imagining for the next year to be haapy
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
It is sad to put them away but next year will bring them back,,,
@blueriver008 (42)
• China
3 Jan 17
I never be sad when I put away my favorite seasonal things. I will "dust them all year" if I keep them in my room. They will occupy space in my house. I like to be simple, clean, and no many stuffs.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
6 Jan 17
Me too, the thought of dusting them all years is scary. i am glad now they are all safe in boxes until next winter.
