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Why do you decorate for Christmas? Or don't you?
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So I posted this on a fb page but it got deleted because it wasn’t about homeschooling and while I don’t visit this forum that much anymore because life gets in the way I thought I would ask it here because I always get honest and thoughtful answers.
Why do you decorate your house for Christmas? I’m looking for a deeper meaning than “because its tradition”. Is it because it gives you a joyful spirit? Or because it helps you center on Christ’s birth and God’s love? Or if you don’t do any decorating are you still happy and joyful at this time of year?
We used to decorate big with a tree and stockings, village, snowmen, wreath, lights, nativity, etc. About five years ago, we did not put a tree up, mostly because I asked myself why we do what we do. And as I dug deeper, found that the tree has pagan roots. Rick Steve’s Europe on PBS and Christmas Unwrapped by History Channel are two good films on the history of the traditions, if you are interested. We have decorated less and less each year. Really I do not miss dragging it all out and then a month (or sometimes two) pack it all back up. Now we decorate with our favorites: the set of nutcrackers my children like, a Christmas train track (meant to go around a tree, but kids love it without the tree), and a few wintry items like a sleigh, snowman, etc. We also have a playmobil nativity, which serves as a toy to act out the Bible story of Jesus’ birth. Gifts are less too. I do buy many toys on the sales, but mostly for birthdays!
This time of year, it is the cheery Winter/Christmas music that puts me in a happy mood. And we bake more together. The little that we do decorate is still festive. Less is more, maybe?
In recent years, I started sending out some personal, handwritten letters to a few people who used to be a part of my life but aren’t so much now. I try to thank them for something specific on how they positively impacted my life, reminisce, and mention what the kids are up to lately. I started writing these in October last year. But I haven’t done any yet this year. Last year, many people had not responded, but a few did reply with a nice note and we both were blessed. I think the ones who did not reply still appreciated it. A handwritten note is special anymore. So I guess that is my way of sharing God’s love. Great questions!
We are Lutheran and celebrate Advent, which is a time to focus on the coming of Christ, past present and future. We decorate with Advent candles, which we light daily during devotions, an Advent calendar, and a nativity (or a few). I have a resin nativity that my DC can play with and act out the Christmas story, as well as a Little People one. I feel like the celebration of Christmas has more meaning to us after this reflective season of Advent, so we focus on this instead of typical Christmas activities, although we include a few of those too. Fun things like baking cookies and looking at lights around town.
Generally the week before Christmas, or even a day or two ahead, we decorate more traditionally, with a tree and lights. Most of our tree ornaments focus on Jesus, although we may have a few reindeer or snowmen thrown in. We keep these up for the traditional 12 days of Christmas (through epiphany) and celebrate God’s Gift to us. Although the world moves on after the 25th, so I feel like we are celebrating alone at times! We used to hang stockings for epiphany (in remembrance of the gifts of the wise men), but went back to hanging them on Christmas Eve. The good thing about hanging them later on is that all the Christmas candy is on sale by then!
I’d say we decorate partly for tradition, as I think family traditions are important, but we also celebrate two church seasons, Advent and Christmas. Having items out like our Advent candles and Christmas tree, reminds us of these seasons and sets these seasons apart from the rest of the year. This is something my husband and I had put much thought into and tried to make meaningful for our kids.
I decorate quite a bit because it makes me so happy lol! I LOVE having greenery, pine cones and berries in arrangements around the house. When it is just too cold to be outside (currently feels like -10!), it is a way we can enjoy some of the beautiful winter foliage. I find the tree to be beautiful and uplifting. We celebrate Christmas for 25 days in December doing something different and special each night with our children. It is a season that we all look forward to as we focus on time as a family celebrating Christ.
We decorate, but simply. A small tree, because the children love the adventure of setting it up and decorating, and it marks the beginning of our focus on the Saviour. Two nativity scenes. One is a stuffed set that my 11yo daughter sewed a few years ago. The stuffed wise men are placed across the room from the rest of the set and each day they travel closer to the stable. This was my children’s idea. A wreath on the door is to welcome people to our celebration. And stockings to enjoy the anticipation. In my home growing up my mother decorated every nook and cranny and I grew to hate all the work it took to get everything ready and then take it all down. There were always tears eventually, and usually threats of cancelling Christmas because no one was helping enough and no one appreciated her efforts. So my minimalist style is in response to that. We can set up in an hour, and this year we even did it in the dark with candles because we had a three hour long power outage that day.
Decorating is a way for us to enjoy time as a family. Both my husband and I LOVE Christmas, and our children have caught the bug! The tree is a way for us to celebrate the beauty of God’s creation. It is the one time a year that I can really bring the outside in (a whole tree, & garland) like no other time of year. I refuse to let something God created be a pagan tradition in our home. We have tons of nativities and things that have been passed down that bring fond memories. All of our ornaments have memories with them also. Some are mine from childhood. Some are my husband’s, and many have meaning for our children. We spend a lot of time reminiscing. We do not rush and we all take part. I let the kids do their thing and do not care if it does not look perfect. The point is the togetherness it brings. If we’re going to celebrate, we feel, why not really celebrate!
We have a tree because my husband and children love it;) I looked at the scriptures used as proof texts for the no tree theology, and was surprised to see in Jeremiah (sorry, I forget the reference) that people cut down trees and placed them in their homes on a stand….and called them a god and worshipped them.
It gave me an uneasy feeling at first, until I remembered that this is a genetic fallacy, as taught in The Fallacy Detective book. Another example of a genetic fallacy is that flip flops are not acceptable because they were invented by Godless hippies.
I have never met anyone, nor do I call my tree a God and/or worship it.
However, if someone else feels uncomfortable having a tree because it is too close to idol worship, then I respect that.
I am with the minimalist decoraters. The play Nativity set is a must.
We like to make paper snowflakes in January because the children are sad when we put the Christmas decorations away. We did paper hearts in February too.
Hope this helps! Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah everyone.
Yes, we do! We don’t have as many decorations as some or than we used to, but we still love getting a tree and some decorations that have become favorites over the years. And, each year my children receive a new ornament and something decorative (snowglobe, ect) that they will take with them when they leave home. I always try to get them an ornament that reflects their interest for the year past. They love all of their ornaments and they bring back good memories.
We try to do as many activities as we can, whether they be volunteering somewhere or visiting Santa. But, with my current health problems, we have scaled down some and my dc are ok with that. (Like we didn’t put up lights on the house this year.) This is the one time a year that we really spend time together and make memories that I hope they will look back on with joy.
This is also the one time of the year that we enjoy splurging (and we’re not rich, so it’s not that much $$) on our children and others. We save up for it so it’s not something we go into debt over.
We are Christians and enjoy this time of year as we celebrate the birth of Christ and His redeeming love.
I’ve always felt drawn to anything with lights when it comes to decorations, and this year I really felt less like covering every inch of the house (indoors and out) with Christmas decorations. What I did put out were things like our Christmas village on the mantel (which lights up), a big train that changes colors with fiber optic lights, a “gas lantern” that glows as though it has a flame inside, and lights around the nativity, the tree, and the living room archway. There isn’t much else throughout the house, but the living room is rather cozy and all lit up.
So I decided that perhaps I’ve been led to celebrate Jesus as the Light of the world this year. Then, last weekend, we visited a family with 3 girls (ages 10 to 18) who just lost their dad to cancer at the beginning of November. I was a little surprised to see a Christmas tree next to their fireplace since one of the girls had told my daughter that they weren’t putting up Christmas decorations this year because there were “too many sad memories” for them.
It wasn’t until I asked the mom about the tree that I noticed it wasn’t their usual tree, but a white “snow-flocked” tree with white lights and glittery snowflakes on it. There were also other white lights and silver-blue lights adorning parts of the room as well. She told me that they always hated to take down the Christmas decorations in January, leaving the room rather bleak-looking, so they have been putting up “winter decorations” from January until Spring. They put up the white and blue lights and hang up snowflakes and display snow globes. She said that this year they decided to put up their winter decorations early, and that it is different enough to lift their spirits when they need it most, rather than seeing her late husband in every corner all day long and feeling sad.
All of the above? lol
We put up a Christmas tree, nativity set, and typically some Santa Claus’ figurines.
We decorate because we love Christmas, and it brings us joy and pleasure. But, our focus at Christmas is always on Christ and we talk about it as Christ’s birthday. So, we decorate in anticipation of His birth, much like we might decorate our home for a child’s birthday party.
I love our tree – from the angel on the top, to the beautiful religious ornaments which remind us of Christ, to the family vacation ornaments (we have a tradition now that every place we travel as a family, we buy an ornament for the tree).
We put up a nativity set because without the nativity there’d be no Christmas!
We put up Santa’s because yes, we “do” Santa here, but also, as Catholics, we love St. Nicholas here, and of course my children know that “Santa Claus” is merely carrying on the tradition that St. Nicholas started, that by helping others, in giving, he is sharing Christ’s love. Most of the Santa’s we put up are more traditional ones with the red bishop’s robe etc…
Oh I meant to add, we do decorate the exterior of the house with Christmas lights and a couple simple wreaths.
Hi Kristen..
Thanks for asking this question; as I enjoyed reading everyone’s response.:-)
Early on, we decided to tell our kids the truth about Santa. (and every other holiday make believe character too) However, we do read St Nicholas and my kids seem to have no problem ‘imagining’ Santa is real and enjoying it. They really do enjoy the make believe of it all and we feel it is harmless since we do WAY more things to celebrate Jesus’ coming and birthday. I have no doubt our children know exactly what Christmas is about. We do a daily devotion with a Jesse Tree, we sing hymns, and we also do an advent wreath devotion on Sundays. (We are non-denominational Christian, but I grew up Catholic. I always enjoyed the teaching behind the advent month and preparing one’s heart for the coming.)
I like them to concentrate on giving. Some years we do Operation Christmas Child, Adopt a family, sing at nursing home, and this year we are making a goodie tin for neighbors, post man, ups man, piano teacher, babysitter etc… We made beeswax candles, and all paleo Christmas snacks. 🙂
Some years I definitely get into the decorating more than others. With little ones, their momentum kind of ‘lifts you up’ and gets you going. This year, my kids asked for Christmas music the DAY after Thanksgiving. (They know I don’t do anything Christmas, not even shop, a day before Thanksgiving.) ha! 🙂 Now that they are older, they know exactly what holidays are when.
However, I do teeter btw wanting less. Especially, when it seems the world has completely lost site of what is important. It really does drive me crazy.. We have discussed not having a tree, not putting up lights, but in the end, when I search my heart/soul and listen to the Holy Spirit, I hear that it is all okay as long as it glorifies God and brings Joy.
Like others, our house may be decorated and we may have snowmen and Santa decorations, but Christ and his birthday is weaved throughout all of it!
I think depending on someone’s year, the current state of the family etc… can effect Christmas spirit. Maybe some years there is more, maybe some years there is less. I think that is okay. I think anyone can still have a very merry Christmas without all the decorations; it is just up to the individual family.
Blessings!
Renee
Thanks all for the lovely responses! My children and I have been thinking and talking about it this week.
My husband and I let our children believe in Santa as young children but we make sure that they all know the real reason we celebrate Christ’s birth. We put up what I think is moderate (to some it might be minimalist) amount of decorations and a tree. It brings us joy and pleasure and comfort to have these things that we can count on doing together. Tradition is a part of it as well, and the kids take comfort and make good memories by spending family time together doing these things. We also bake cookies and favorite treats not because we need to eat them but because they comfort us and we enjoy doing it. We have several nativities set up and read daily from an Advent devotional with decorations that we hang on a small tree. We all love the outdoors and nature so we really enjoy the time that our tree is up. We just put it up two days ago and we will leave it until Epiphany. We would put up some lights outside our house but the house we are currently living in doesn’t have an outside outlet; anywhere. So no lights outside.
So I just got to really contemplating this year how people who don’t decorate at all because they feel that Christmas is based on pagan traditions feel at Christmas time? Even though they still observe Christ’s birth do they miss out on the joy of the season?
Merry Christmas to everyone!
We do this also, family activities nightly as part of our Advent calendar. Our devotions from the calendar are on the names of God this year. The kids love decorating and set out my village and tree and lights. Also we do lots of candles at Christmas and in winter, we are to be His lights in the darkness. I wrap up all our Christmas picture books in fabric from my stash and put under the tree, and most nights they take turns picking one for bedtime storytime. We make cookies and deliver them to neighbors, help at food pantry most years(not this yr since I’m pregnant and sick) and give to missions. Gifts to each other are homemade or a few small things, sometimes one bigger gift. Advent and extra family time with hardly any outside commitments help us slow down and focus on Christ.
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