Decorating for Christmas this early might be a new trend for me

Published 10:56 am Thursday, November 21, 2019

This is a first.

Never before have I pulled out the Christmas decorations this early in the season.

In the past, I have started listening to Christmas music this early, but I have never drug out the hoards of boxes I have tucked away in closets and up in the attic.

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And while some of you may think I am foolish to have started decorating, I am not the only one cuddling up to Santa so soon.

My sister-in-law has wreaths already hanging from her kitchen windows, and as I was driving home from work one evening I noticed a house that already had its tree up. The colored lights were visible from the window.

Advent begins the first day in December this year and with family coming in for the Thanksgiving holiday, I knew I better get a move on.

However, unlike in years past, because I have started earlier than usual, I am taking my time and enjoying moving at a slower pace instead of an all-out-Christmas-blitz.

I don’t know about you, but pulling out all the Christmas decorations I have amassed through the years is like meeting up with old friends.

Nearly 40 years ago, I began collecting Santas, and honestly, it never gets old to see their faces again.

Unfortunately, because I have so many, some have to stay tucked away in their tissue paper.

It’s probably time to start sharing some of my collection with the children, but it’s just hard to part with any of them.

And unlike their mother, my children are more of the minimalist type, so they probably wouldn’t want them anyway.

I just hope that when I’m gone, one of my many grandchildren will pick up where I left off.

In addition to my Santas, another of my favorite Christmas pieces to pull out is a nativity set I bought just a few years ago at the Cinnamon Tree.

Instead of the more traditional sets depicting the Holy Family, this set is comprised of children.

I was drawn to it because it reminded me of the Christmas pageants my children participated in at Crawford Street United Methodist Church.

Through the years, I had angels, a sheep, a shepherd, a donkey, a cow, a Wise Man and Mary.

I won’t lie, it has felt a little weird to see Santa hanging out with my more traditional fall and Thanksgiving decorations, including Native American decorations, but that’s just the way it is going to be this year.

Who knows? Maybe this trend will grow on me, and I will begin decorating this early every year.

I wonder how my Halloween witches and skeletons would get along with Santa?

 

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. She can be reached at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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