CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS WITH ORDER

In the month of October, we marvel at the porches decorated
with pumpkins, colorful mums and scarecrows in the gardens....



The lawns are filling with fallen leaves and it is nature
in all it's glory of colors....
there are football games on Friday nights, cozy throws
draped over the sofa and soup simmering away on the stove...



The sun in the afternoons is still warm enough to enjoy,
yet we welcome the crispness of the air as it reminds
us that the seasons are changing...

we are dreaming of Turkey and Dressing
and family gathering at home for the November holiday....

It is the kind of day that makes you grateful for the little things:

 a warm home, a favorite meal, a beautiful view through the window,

and the simple pleasure of watching October unfold.

Which brings me to the question of the day..
when do you begin the festivities of the Christmas season?
Some skip right into putting up the tree and stringing the lights
overlooking both HALLOWEEN AND THANKSGIVING.....
No, not me...I was raised to revel in the joy of each special holiday...
Why rush through this special time of the year....

Perhaps, you may relate to the reasons why
Christmas appears beginning after we turn the calendar to December....

 You love the seasons in their proper order. October has its own beauty:
 autumn leaves, pumpkins, warm colors, harvest decorations,
and the anticipation of Thanksgiving.
You may want to enjoy those things before moving on to Christmas.

 You value tradition.

Christmas may feel more meaningful when it arrives at the appropriate time,

rather than becoming a two- or three-month-long event.

 You dislike feeling pressured.
When Christmas decorations, music, and shopping appear in October,
 it can feel as though you're being hurried into a holiday you aren't ready for.

You enjoy the atmosphere of autumn.

If you appreciate the coziness of fall,

seeing Christmas take over can feel as

though autumn is being cut short.

You prefer moderation.

 When a celebration seems to start earlier every year,
it can feel excessive rather than joyful.
What is the tradition in your home?