Thursday, December 3, 2009

Do you hear what I hear???

I am slowly getting some things decorated for the holidays, but I have a story to tell you.....and it's affecting just how much decorating I am actually doing this year.....
Sunday night, I had successfully taken down all of my fall decorations and made way for the Christmas decorations to come out in full force. It was time to dust and straighten and then out would come all the boxes of Christmas decor my son had pulled down from the attic for me before he left to go back to college.
My husband walked thru the house and came to me and said, "hey this is nice.....there are areas that aren't cluttered, nor decorated to the hilt.....I LIKE this."


Did you hear me....did you read that??? I have to say things have been a little stressful at work for him....things are cluttered everywhere with ugly details that he has to pay attention to. Things are mentally challenging as he faces his world. He comes home every night (for which I am ever so thankful!!!) and this is his haven, his safe place from a world that bombards him with stuff. So at that very moment, I vowed to simplify my Christmas decor this year to make it a restful place for him. It is my little secret sacrifice (well, except that each of you now knows it...how secret is THAT??? LOL)...It is MY GIFT TO HIM......I will still do some decorating, but all the snowmen will stay tucked away in the box, the village will not be placed on the table; I will not have as many chotskes (sp?) this year. I will work to make it as uncluttered, yet festive as I possibly can. I will work to make our home a place of peace and rest for him, rather than the commercialization of a miracle. Now, I LOVE Christmas decorating and the way it makes the holidays special. But this year, we are going simple and next year we'll see if we're ready for more.....one step at a time......
Merry Christmas, honey.

14 comments:

Stacey said...

Suzanne, when we took our big Rubbermaid totes out of the attic, I selected just a few things. No village this year. As time passes, I enjoy less clutter. It's more enjoyable to me to have a little less but really I'm like that all year. I am in the process of just tweaking the things I really love.

Your gift to your husband is very thoughtful. My husband has been traveling so much that his favorite gift these days is just some homecooked food. :) I can do that!

Domestic Designer said...

Sounds like a good idea to me!

Love the Decor! said...

You are a good wife!!
I also am cutting back this year.
Sometimes less is more !!

Journey said...

It's a lovely gift to your husband. I love totes and I store things and rotate from year to year. Always feels like I'm bringing something out new after being stored for a year or more.

Hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday season!

April said...

Suzanne,
I've scaled back on my decorations this year, too...and I like it!

karen said...

If he only knew how much you love him. You are a good wife and person. Merry Christmas

Anonymous said...

You're a good wife! And there will be so much less to put away at the end of the season (a nice perk!).

Michelle said...

As usual, Miz Suzanne, you are a Titus woman and full of wisdom! I am so glad you "hear" what he was saying. We have scaled back a bit this year (not necessarily with decorations, though I am not putting out all the what-nots) but with events and such. We are well aware that things will be different during the holidays next year and we are trying to spend as much down time together as possible. You are truly "southern inspiration" with this, girlfriend.

Nancy said...

Suzanne you are as always, the most thoughtful person! Your family is very lucky to have you. It will be beautiful.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Yes!! Less chotzkies here too!! I can't stand the clutter anymore. This is interesting, as I was going to ask if you could do a guest post on ways to simplify this Christmas. I thought it would be relevant to anyone, and particularly relevant to me in my stage of life (which is selfish of me, but whatever). ;)

Tracy said...

What a sweet thing to do for your hubby, and what a great idea for you and the rest of your family. Anxious to see how it all turns out.

Blessings,
Tracy

Lamp Tramp said...

This is such a good point. I've been guilty of overcluttering at Christmas. Now I make sure most decorations are out of one's way, with a few exceptions. Got tons of items I haven't used in years but can not part with them. Hope to pass them on to the kids one day.

Darlene said...

I didn't put up my village this year either. But, I still think I have a LOT of decorations out. Oh well....we do love the bling and lights of Christmas.

Is it snowing there this morning??? My dad called (they live around Hobby Airport) and was so excited because he was watching it snow!

Lee said...

I am getting rid of everything except my twinkle lights and stockings. I am going to decorate with what I have that isn't Christmas decorations. Yippee freedom.
Lee