On the first day of December, and legitimately the beginning of the Advent Season of the Catholic church in 2024,  I like to decorate. In 2024, I started slightly earlier as I was able to see Les Mis that year over Thanksgiving weekend and wanted to get a head start. I put up a few items that are putsier, but I always save the tree and the stockings and the lighting of the outdoor lights until after Thanksgiving. Each season in its time. (Ahem, retail, take note). I say let the bells ring once the Turkey is eaten.

In addition to the tree and the stockings, I also have a Dickens Christmas Village my mother started me on when I was little. I am not sure exactly when, or why she chose the Charles Dickens set, although I loved A Muppet Christmas Carol and had acted in the show Oliver! when I was in middle school, and I loved to read and write. It’s the most time-consuming part of decorating for Christmas, but there is something so nostalgic about setting up the familiar pieces each year.

I love to incorporate old traditions in my decorating. I still have a silly bear that my friend gave me in fifth grade that I put out and soap bears I bought at the craft show I grew up attending over Thanksgiving in Grand Rapids, Minnesota: Gifts Worth Giving. They remind me that my family and faith are entwined in traditions and are the true meaning of the season.