To decorate, or not to decorate?

/ Katie

I love Christmas.

I’m not particularly religious, but I love the music, and the lights, and the cheer, and the way that people come together to enjoy food and good company. I can give or take presents. But everything else about the holiday just puts a big, silly smile on my face. You might say I’m “just like a kid at Christmas.” And you wouldn’t be wrong.

And so I’ve spent a fair amount of time this week wondering exactly how I want to handle Christmas this year. With Baby Girl due at the beginning of December, and knowing just how tiring and challenging those first weeks with a new baby are (and also taking into account that it’s cold and flu season), I’m under no illusions that we’re going to have a big family holiday. Frankly, no thank you. Next year, absolutely. Not this one. But I would like to do something to celebrate, and I’m really going back and forth about whether I should put up my tree and other decorations.

On the one hand, it will be our first Christmas together with Baby Girl, and I want it to be special. I’d love to have a picture of all of us in front of the tree.

On the other, decorating is work, and time, and energy. I could probably put things up just fine, but come January 5th, when the twelve days are over, will I really feel like taking things down and putting them away?

Sigh.

It’s not that big of a deal either way, truly. And I know that. But what would you do? To decorate, or not to decorate? Right now, amidst many others, that is certainly a question.  

23 thoughts on “To decorate, or not to decorate?”

  1. A baby at Christmas is so much fun. Our daughter was born in the fall. Now we had a couple months in between, unlike you, but it was so much fun, seeing it through her eyes. You’ve got the answer: do what feels right. It does suck having to put everything away, but the good thing is that you get to reflect on your new memories. Not saying it makes it any easier, but still manageable. Best wishes in the weeks ahead. Fun times! 👩‍🍼😎😎😎😎😎

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    • Well, if I don’t do it before Baby Girl gets here in early December, I doubt I will. It may just be an early decorating year around here. More time with pretty lights and such. Not a bad thing. 🙂

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  5. Go ahead and put it up. Something to entertain you during those late night feedings.
    Someone else can take it down! Like a new grandma…she’ll probably be hogging the baby otherwise.

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  6. I think, do the tree with some lights, and enjoy the precious anticipation of this season. Not necessarily a thousand other decorations. Take your picture. And whenever it gets taken down, then it gets taken down. The tired will happen, and will be temporary, as you noted. When it gets to be spring, it will be a wonderful warm memory for you to hold onto as long as you like. Wishing you all the best.

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  8. I would put up a tree and lights because as you said, you enjoy them so much. You can start a tradition to take family photographs every year by the tree. No need to decorate the whole house but a tree might bring you joy in those long days/nights of tiredness. Ask Graham to take it down in Jan! But similarly if it feels like too much now, don’t do it, focus on whatever you need right now!

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    • We ended up decorating, and I’m glad we did. 🙂 The house feels warm and festive, and though things are a little crazy at the moment, I’m really enjoying having things look a bit Christmas-y. 🙂

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