First Baptist Church of Herndon

The Reluctant Decorator

Linda Soller | Dec 05, 2022

Is it socially unacceptable to admit to being a reluctant decorator at the holidays? I feel like it is. I am pretty sure if you are excited about Christmas then you are expected to be excited about decorating for Christmas. But the inner me who finds clutter exhausting and the packing and unpacking of the same items year after year to be stressful sometimes wishes for a more minimalist holiday. So, I can hear you saying, what’s stopping you? True there are no rules or laws being broken if the holiday decorations don’t fill the house. Unless of course you are in a Hallmark movie. But I do think there is an unspoken expectation.   I mean what if someone comes over and asks where is the…? Can I really get away with saying, oh I didn’t bother to put it up this year? 

Maybe yes, but do I want to risk it. And if you love to decorate, I say go for it, just don’t think less of me if I don’t.

This year, since I am no longer employed, I am trying a new approach. The demanding three-day Thanksgiving weekend decorating crunch has given way to a little bit of decorating each day. I hope this will allow me to carefully consider what goes up and not leave me stretched out on the couch each night trying to recover. The plan is to think about each item and who will smile to see it and if no one comes to mind maybe it is time to leave it packed away. Better yet donate it! I do want the house to feel magical to the grandkids which requires a certain level of whimsey. So, the sock snow people, and the gnomes will all be out. But there are other things, not sentimental and not magical that I doubt will be missed. 

I tell you all of this because I am good with being a reluctant decorator this year. Yes, I have more time to do it, but that time has helped me to see that it’s how I use my time that’s important, not who I impress. Maybe this holiday I will spend more time doing for others and a little less just doing things up. 

Be the love in the world  : )   Linda