We put up our Christmas tree yesterday and I’m not embarrassed. We usually put it up the weekend before Thanksgiving because we travel over the holiday, but this year we did it even earlier. Judging by our neighborhood, we’re not the only ones. 2020 has been _____ (choose your own adjective), so if Christmas lights bring joy to folks, I’m all for it. I always said I’d leave my tree up year round if I could get away with it.
I took advantage of the free Y’All Write master classes and author panels over the weekend. Watching Victoria Schwab teach a master class on The Story Corpse – her technique of building a story – was definitely a highlight. I’m such a fan of her work and came out of her class with a list of new ideas. Listening to other well-known authors with plenty of books under their belt talk about how they still deal with writing challenges and self-doubt sure made me feel better. Guess we all have days when we can’t string enough words together to form even one sentence – and if we do, it sounds like crap.
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You’re not alone, Teri. We put up all of our Christmas decorations the first week in November. It’s a lot of work and we like to enjoy them as long as possible. Glad you enjoyed the classes. Oh yes, we all have those days!
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I may adopt that policy for next year, Jill. Like I mentioned, I’d keep my tree up all year. I just love the lights.
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So do I, Teri.
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Well done! It is definitely not too early to put up the tree, especially this year!! We have some outdoor lights up but not the tree yet. It will be soon. Today it is 26 C (78.8 F) so it´s hard to think of Christmas!!
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I figure we’ll do the outside decorations next weekend. Nearly 80 degrees! You’re right, Darlene – hard to think about Christmas but I’d still be happy with the decorations.
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The house cater-corner across the street from us put up their Christmas lights last weekend and went all out this year! Sounds like the classes were really good.:-)
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Yay for them! I saw a house here did the same thing the day after Halloween. And the classes were wonderful – so much information.
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One of our neighbours put up their Christmas tree last week, and I thought what the….! But then I started reading and seeing lots more people putting up their Christmas trees and decorations early this year because it’s been such a tough and strange year for many and I thought, good for you. I’m tempted but have always found another job to do. I don’t think it will be long before I’m getting out those boxes that only come out twice a year, though. 🎄
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It seems like I just packed up the decorations. This year seemed to pass in a flash – but maybe that was just wishful thinking, lol. Go ahead and decorate that tree, Hugh!
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Yeah, I agree, the year seems to have whizzed past, even if most of it has been spent in lockdown. It won’t be long before the fairy lights are out of those boxes, Teri. I’m already eating mince pies, and Christmas pudding, although I’ve not been tempted to open my chocolate advent calendar yet.
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That chocolate would have been long gone by now if it was at my house.
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I have become quite lazy about putting up the Christmas tree, Teri. It is such a big job and now have to put it up and take it down on my own as my boys have lost interest. The writers classes sound fantastic. Lucky you.
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My boys lost interest the older they got, but I’ve always loved having the tree up. Hubby puts it up and I can have it decorated in around thirty minutes. The writing retreat I just finished plans to have an event in the spring, so I’ll send you a link when they post it.
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Thank you, Teri.
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I’ve started being Christmasy too. I usually wait until December… Spend some time enjoying the aftermath of my birthday first, since it helps me resist the urge too soon… But I started listening to Christmas songs yesterday. I need the holly jolly feeling this year, which seems to be the case for a lot of people. I’d break out the decorations too, except we’re in the process of trying to get moved, and not knowing right now which side of Christmas it is means any decorations I put up will be minimal and last moment (that’s if the timing of the move doesn’t prevent me having any up at all). I’ve promised myself I’ll make a big effort with decorations next year to make up for it. In the meantime, I’m going to listen to Christmas music, and if people don’t like it… Tough!
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I always break out my favorite Christmas music – A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack. Hope the timing of your move works with Christmas, Tori. I can’t imagine trying to get everything packed up and organized this time of year. Good luck!
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Thanks. Between the time of year and all the being in and out of lockdown because of the pandemic, I’m going to need as much luck as I can get. I’d like to point out that the timing wasn’t my idea. LOL!
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I think a lot of people are putting their trees up early…or at least that was what Kelly Ripa said on Live with Kelly and Ryan 🤣. Christmas lights do bring happiness!
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Judging by what I’ve seen around town, they’re right. No shame at all in decorating early!
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Our decorations went up this weekend too! It does make me feel better.
The Christmas cookie baking I started pre-Halloween though!
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Yay for you, Gemma! My problem with Christmas cookies is that I like the dough better than the actual cookie, lol.
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Anything we can do to create some cheer this year is a good thing. {{hugs}}
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Exactly!
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We’re actually considering skipping the tree since no one will be here and the work usually falls to moi. But you’ve made me reconsider. A little holiday cheer would be nice. Maybe a small tree. Lol. Happy Writing!
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Even if I was by myself, I’d still put up the tree. Besides the lights, I love seeing those ornaments again. Ours is a hodge podge of ornaments gifted to us, things the boys made in school, some we’ve picked up on travels. It’s not something that would made the cover of a magazine, but we love it. I vote you reconsider!
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Yeah. My favorite is the lights. 😀 I just love them.
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Glad you were able to get your tree up. Ours is usually the day after Thanksgiving. I’m like you, I like the lights.
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We always travel, so decorating has always come early for us. Love the lights!
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I have friends who have been decorating for a while now. I’ll do my tree the day after Thanksgiving. It’ll be an interesting year. Hope you have a good one.
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I can get my decorations up in about an hour – I don’t put out loads of stuff, because then I’d dread it every year. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving, Staci!
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My brother-in-law just got diagnosed with covid. That’s changing all of our plans for the holiday. Everyone is staying in our respective homes now. Looking like video chats. But it’s 2020; that’s nothing new for most of us. Happy holidays to you and yours.
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Oh no – so sorry to hear that! Lots of plans changed this year. Smaller gatherings and plenty of video chatting. Hope his symptoms are minor.
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Thanks. So far, he’s got just minor symptoms. We’re certainly not the only family whose plans have changed. Hopefully 2021 marks a positive change for all of us.
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I usually don’t decorate until after Thanksgiving, but I don’t blame you one bit for doing it early. Everyone needs a little extra cheer this year.
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Extra cheer is never a bad thing. Have a great week, Joan!
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Hubby and I are not Christmas people, yet even we this year feel like putting up some decorations. That should be sufficient evidence of what 2020 has wrought! Merry early Christmas, Teri xx
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Sounds like a plan to me, Jess. Early decorations may be the only good thing about 2020!
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