Posted on 10/31/2019 2:51:58 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
If you were one of those families who had their tree decorated and the Christmas village out and in full swing by Nov. 1, you might be in luck. According to experts, decorating for Christmas early may make you happier, so you might want to consider pulling your garlands and gigantic Santa statues down from the attic a bit sooner.
"In a world full of stress and anxiety, people like to associate to things that make them happy, and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of the childhood," psychoanalyst Steve McKeown told Unilad. "Decorations are simply an anchor or pathway to those old childhood magical emotions of excitement. So putting up those Christmas decorations early extends the excitement!" That seems logical enough.
Pyschotherapist Amy Molin agreed, explaining that Christmas decorations can take you back to a simpler time, at least mentally. "Nostalgia helps link people to their personal past, and it helps people understand their identity. For many, putting up Christmas decorations early is a way for them to reconnect with their childhoods." She also says that it can help those who have lost someone feel closer to the loved one in question, adding that "decorating early may help them feel more connected with that individual."
“...and some other modern “Christmas” songs make me want to put ice picks through my ears.”
That ‘Aid for Africa’ song sends me ‘round the bend.
“Do they know it’s Christmas Time at All...?” Well, the CHRISTIANS that live on the African Continent do - but you Rock-N-Roll Goobers haven’t lifted a FINGER to help THEM while they’ve been slaughtered through the years! Grrr!
OK, I’d better go do something ‘Christmasy’ to get me back in the spirit. Maybe an Eggnog with a big shot of Rum? On Halloween? LOL!
“...the season of Advent is supposed to be time used to reflect on this he darkness of the world before Christ.”
My Mom always made a big to-do about Advent. We had the wreath and the colored candles and the readings that went along with it. And the fighting over WHO got to light the candles - Dad always won. ;)
I always loved that as a kid. :)
I’m surprised that’s not me in the photo. I’m pretty adamant about not decorating until my Thanksgiving guests are gone, for at least a week! After that, I’ll get started. If I want to. What I do put up does not begin to come down until the Epiphany. Not one piece. There are 12 Days of Christmas and zero of them happen before Christmas Day.
I decorate out the wazoo. To me it represents not being dead yet. Not being defeated. Carrying on traditions, even if nobody but me enjoys them.
More power to ya. :)
Or......happier folks tend to decorate early......
My wife goes overboard on Christmas stuff and I got burned out and tired.
I cared before it became a big show.
(Except for the fighting part, of course.) ;)
Diana, what will you put in a Hygge gift basket? The fall season depresses me the most with the darkness and coming cold. I spend winters living for December 21st, when we know that the days will start getting longer again...and trying to capture every bit of sunlight i can find.
I ordered copies of the book I posted above, and also an adult coloring book in the same theme and colored pencils. Then, I’m going to read through the book again, and fill the basket with other small treats, based upon what the book recommends. Warm socks, scented candles, tea, lotion, cookies, CHOCOLATE, etc. :)
I’m also going to steal ideas. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of $$$. (Yay, Dollar Tree!) I was thinking of sewing simple, flannel pillowcases, too.
https://hairsoutofplace.com/2018/11/30/hygge-gift-basket/
https://www.pinterest.it/pin/382383824604140599/?lp=true
Diana, what lovely ideas! and thanks for that pinterest link - I love pinterest and am always looking at stuff. Maybe I can do something similar this winter. :) My father died 2 years ago and my little dog had to be put down this past February. It’s just me and my mom these days.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.