Well, the tree is overly dry now...what do I tell the Toddler?

I will leave the Christmas tree up one more day, but then it has to be taken out. I know-- Epiphany-- but my house is particularly dry, and this poor evergreen ain't so green now. I'm pretty sure it is going to cause WW3, too-- the Spicy Toddler loves to turn it on when she gets here every morning. I will have to figure something out to take the place of that little job. 

And doesn't she ever love to help! I can't vacuum, sweep, or dust without her needing to do it, too. She wants to help Papa clean the pellet stove. And most of the time, I can come up with a way to involve her in the chores. If I don't, all hell breaks loose. 

So tomorrow, I'll have G bring the ornament boxes down, and I'll put them away (hopefully) neater than I did last year. It's always a goal. And the lights will have to be unwound from the super dry tree (shower of needles), and then wound around cardboard rectangles, so I don't lose my mind next December. 

The little white artificial tree will stay up. And the manger scene-- after all, the Wise Men have not yet found the Christ Child-- I'll put that away after Epiphany. And I might leave the window candles until Candlemas (or until the batteries run out, whichever comes first). 

It's always a little bittersweet to put away the decorations, but it's also really nice to reclaim the space in the house. There's something nice about that, too-- this time of year, I need light and air and open space as much as possible to combat the winter blahs. 

And so another holiday season must be packed away. This year, it's been fraught with worry and sadness, along with the glitter and shine. I suppose that's life summarized.

Have a good day, and enjoy the sparkle while you can.

C