Taking Down Christmas

I started dismantling the Christmas decorations the other day while the kids were sleeping in.  Looking around at the Santa stuff, I could only think that it just didn’t really feel like Christmas this year.  Not in a bad, sad way, but in a way that just is.  And I’m ok with it.

Maybe it’s the new artificial tree or the fact that I was the one who decorated the tree alone since both kids were out and not around.  Maybe it’s because there was a little family drama with the ex’s family and my kids which was hard to deal with because it affected our relationship.  But that ended ok since we were able to work through it and hopefully be stronger because of it.  Maybe it was because it was warm on Christmas and not cold enough to snow to get me in the mood with a White Christmas.

Whatever the reason, I’m ready to take down Christmas.  I leave some frosty night decorations up though.  The white lights on the mantle stay up all year round adorned with flowers in the summer and pine in the winter.  I’ll keep the red cardinal birdie decorations up too for a pop of color.  And I’ll burn the balsam candle until it’s gone because that smell makes me feel all cozy inside and winter is a good time for that!

How about you?  Have you taken down your holiday decorations already?  Or do you hang onto them until Little Christmas?  I guess there’s no special time to take them down, but I’m in the mood today to clear it out and get things organized again.  With the two kids home and their college stuff all over the place, I’m feeling a little cluttered.  Not that I don’t love a full house because I DO!  But I thought maybe they could finally take their Christmas gifts up to their rooms and out from under the tree finally to give us a little more room in here.

Ok, I’m off to recycling center to throw away the bunch of boxes from Christmas deliveries and then I’ll start my Christmas take down.  Wish me luck!  While I adore decorating for Christmas, it’s always a bit of a let down to put it all away.  Do you feel like that too or is it just me?

♥