Back in the day, before the decorations went up, a mini spring clean would take place chez Dunnit. And furniture would have to be moved. Yes indeed, the arrival of the Christmas decorations was a matter of some work and lots of excitement. I don't know why, but in her 18 wonderful years, Miss Dunnit has never taken any interest in decorating the tree, or helping with the other bits either, come to that. I don't understand it. Perhaps it's because year after year she sees me doing it and has decided that it's just another chore that the girl gets to do. I know it's not and shouldn't be, but it kinda is. Mr Dunnit is marvellous with the shopping, choosing, trimming to fit it in the stand and rigging up the lighting for the tree, but would rather leave it naked than get involved in its decoration. Indeed, some years - take last year for example, when we were up to our eyeballs in the misery of illness and closing a business, it was he who reminded me that we needed a tree. He clearly sees the need. And the year we went to Australia on Christmas night so didn't bother with a tree, both of them felt cheated. I don't get it. So secure in the realisation that Christmas Day is now a week on Sunday (which sounds very, very close) we bought a tree this weekend. I have made a huge effort in the cleaning department today, and thrown the vaccuum across the carpet where it will stand. There was enough winter sun to make me wince at the state of the windows....but luckily, not enough winter sun to make me actually clean them. As I type though, it is bereft of ornament. Mr Dunnit wants to arrange the sockets and extensions before we put it in position...and he isn't home yet....and as she left for college this morning, Miss Dunnit said to wait till she got home before starting on the tree. It's a Christmas miracle. Now all I have to do is bite my tongue and stop myself moving bits around to fill gaps and better suit my idea of a well decorated tree. Easier surely, than having to do it all myself?
Sit back and enjoy Miss Dunnit decking the tree and allow yourself to store it as a happy memory. I wouldn't have changed our tree decking for anything...it might not be perfect but it really is very special. :-) Hugs, A x ps thanks for your vote x
Would hate anyone to help me decorate our tree, it has always been my 'job' and I guard it jealously. I will do it on Saturday, my Dad's birthday and our traditional 'Tree-putting-up Day'
Enjoy Julia! Hope you show the results - we've been having BT Infinity installed today so things have been higgledy piggledy - but, now it's all done and back together again the tree will be next on the loooooong to-do list!! Di xx
I usually decorate the tree with a little help from my daughter until she gets bored, but I love it. Hope you enjoy decorating yours, cannot wait to see. Tracy x
Ms Dunnit and the teenager really should meet! My teenager sits on the lounge directing proceedings while I deck the tree. The end result is a very nice tree.
It's always a completely different affair in our house. No sooner has the box come out the loft do I have 2 pesky little children in loud high pitched voices 'I want to decorate the tree'. You would think I had given then no food or water for a week with the amount of impatience I have. all I ask is can I just check the lights work and put them on the tree, THEN you can decorate!
They have always done a great job and this year with have new decorations, the breakable type. Lets see how long last, its a toss up between fighting kids and climbing cats as to who will knock it over first.....but me it will do over at some point this Christmas.
I left mine to it this year (and they're a lot younger rthan Miss Dunnit) but since I couldn't hsve my beautifully coordinated tree anyway (because P bought coloured lights gggrrr!) I decided to embrace Primary School Chic
I spent a whole day decorating our tree this year. As I get older...it just takes longer. But it is done and to my liking so I will not complain! Next year it may not happen. Good luck with yours!
I think the men tend to do the manly jobs, and leave us girls to decorate because they know we'll only end up tweaking afterwards if they do it.
It took me three days to do my tree this year - two of them I just stared at the tree, not really feeling like making the Herculean effort it required. And Lil Miss B was happy to assist, but scared to be let loose after she broke two glass baubles last year (despite the fact all I did was shrug my shoulders after I was sure she hadn't hurt herself). This year, the tree is gold and red.... hehehe
it is strange, must be something to do with children getting older. This year we have an empty nest and this year handyman announced he was going 'to decorate the tree, something he has never done before!! I am making new decs so it will be interesting to see how it turns out, keep you 'posted' as it were lol janet
I refuse to put up any decs until next weekend!! Bah Humbug I cry!!! My (now dead of 4 years) husband LOVED crimble with a passion, and would lay up stocks of nuts, crisps and brandy butter from September onwards... I just HATE all the fuss, but do like it sort of... just HATE all the worry and shopping and wrapping etc.. and my partner has little to do with it at all, and says I am much better at that sort of thing - that's a cop out, eh!!! So this year, mum's new chest of drawers is where one tree goes and our much diminished eating arrangements will be where the other one goes, so I MIGHT get out of it altogether!!!! ho ho ho... see you tomoz Frankie xx
As our kids got older, they got more and more blase about decorating the tree. My dh was sorta grinchy about it, which didn't help. This year is our first one of a completely empty nest. I've decorated but haven't put up a tree yet, it just seems like so much work and why bother? Guess I'm being rather Grinchy myself! I suspect that in the next week or so something will hit us and we'll feel like putting up the tree.
The important thing is to celebrate the birth of Christ and his redeeming work on the cross for us, no matter what traditions we hold. Happy Christmas to you all!
It will be wonderful. At least you have the tree up (my home is rather lacking in any decoration at the moment). Have fun with the decorating.
ReplyDeleteToni xx
Sit back and enjoy Miss Dunnit decking the tree and allow yourself to store it as a happy memory. I wouldn't have changed our tree decking for anything...it might not be perfect but it really is very special. :-)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
A x
ps thanks for your vote x
She is her mother's daughter - it will be fabulous! And you can get on with some of the rest of your list whilst she is decorating the tree.... !!
ReplyDeleteWould hate anyone to help me decorate our tree, it has always been my 'job' and I guard it jealously. I will do it on Saturday, my Dad's birthday and our traditional 'Tree-putting-up Day'
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Julia! Hope you show the results - we've been having BT Infinity installed today so things have been higgledy piggledy - but, now it's all done and back together again the tree will be next on the loooooong to-do list!! Di xx
ReplyDeletehope you are having fun as I type . . x
ReplyDeleteI usually decorate the tree with a little help from my daughter until she gets bored, but I love it. Hope you enjoy decorating yours, cannot wait to see. Tracy x
ReplyDeleteI left the tree decorating to daughter this year...and it was done! miracles do happen!!
ReplyDeleteAm sure yours will look as fabulous.
Ms Dunnit and the teenager really should meet! My teenager sits on the lounge directing proceedings while I deck the tree. The end result is a very nice tree.
ReplyDeleteIt's always a completely different affair in our house. No sooner has the box come out the loft do I have 2 pesky little children in loud high pitched voices 'I want to decorate the tree'. You would think I had given then no food or water for a week with the amount of impatience I have. all I ask is can I just check the lights work and put them on the tree, THEN you can decorate!
ReplyDeleteThey have always done a great job and this year with have new decorations, the breakable type. Lets see how long last, its a toss up between fighting kids and climbing cats as to who will knock it over first.....but me it will do over at some point this Christmas.
Now your tree is up, do we get a picture?
I left mine to it this year (and they're a lot younger rthan Miss Dunnit) but since I couldn't hsve my beautifully coordinated tree anyway (because P bought coloured lights gggrrr!) I decided to embrace Primary School Chic
ReplyDeleteI spent a whole day decorating our tree this year. As I get older...it just takes longer. But it is done and to my liking so I will not complain! Next year it may not happen. Good luck with yours!
ReplyDeleteI am sure it will be fine! Please show us a picture when it is all done. Enjoy and stay calm!!!! x
ReplyDeleteI think the men tend to do the manly jobs, and leave us girls to decorate because they know we'll only end up tweaking afterwards if they do it.
ReplyDeleteIt took me three days to do my tree this year - two of them I just stared at the tree, not really feeling like making the Herculean effort it required. And Lil Miss B was happy to assist, but scared to be let loose after she broke two glass baubles last year (despite the fact all I did was shrug my shoulders after I was sure she hadn't hurt herself).
This year, the tree is gold and red.... hehehe
Love the comments about the windows..... I think winter sun is why I have venetian blinds :D
ReplyDeleteit is strange, must be something to do with children getting older. This year we have an empty nest and this year handyman announced he was going 'to decorate the tree, something he has never done before!!
ReplyDeleteI am making new decs so it will be interesting to see how it turns out, keep you 'posted' as it were lol
janet
I refuse to put up any decs until next weekend!! Bah Humbug I cry!!! My (now dead of 4 years) husband LOVED crimble with a passion, and would lay up stocks of nuts, crisps and brandy butter from September onwards... I just HATE all the fuss, but do like it sort of... just HATE all the worry and shopping and wrapping etc.. and my partner has little to do with it at all, and says I am much better at that sort of thing - that's a cop out, eh!!! So this year, mum's new chest of drawers is where one tree goes and our much diminished eating arrangements will be where the other one goes, so I MIGHT get out of it altogether!!!! ho ho ho... see you tomoz
ReplyDeleteFrankie
xx
As our kids got older, they got more and more blase about decorating the tree. My dh was sorta grinchy about it, which didn't help. This year is our first one of a completely empty nest. I've decorated but haven't put up a tree yet, it just seems like so much work and why bother? Guess I'm being rather Grinchy myself! I suspect that in the next week or so something will hit us and we'll feel like putting up the tree.
ReplyDeleteThe important thing is to celebrate the birth of Christ and his redeeming work on the cross for us, no matter what traditions we hold. Happy Christmas to you all!