It’s always a conundrum, but this year it seems worse! Here’s the question: When should the Christmas tree go up?? Yes, there are many more (hundreds of thousands, in fact) problems to solve in the world, but this is the one we all seem to be struggling with NOW! Am I right?

We are eight months into the Covid Quandary of 2020 where events are being cancelled right and left, leaving our calendars busy one minute and free the next. I think we’ve all learned to cope with this pretty well. Last week my grandson had a basketball game scheduled for Tuesday, but during the day the other team had to cancel so, free night. We have two games scheduled for this week, but who knows. Good grief! Our football team had to cancel their homecoming game. Who does that??? Who cancels a homecoming game? In the south, attending the homecoming game is nearly as sacred as going to church!

What with all the girls decked out in those hats and suits and giant mums and the parties planned and the reunions! You just don’t cancel homecoming! Our school solved it the best they could by playing an inner squad game. It was better than nothing, right? At least, the girls got to walk the field and the parties happened. And, speaking of church (didn’t I say something about church?), we’re back in on Sunday, but so many of the “extra” church activities are cancelled. Wedding and baby showers are quick drive-bys. Pot lucks and parties are way OUT-OUT! Christmas programs that require practice, not happening.

I don’t know about you, but since I’m a writer, my day to day hasn’t changed that much, but the cancellation of so many of my “extra circular” events has left my evenings and weekends more free than ever in my adult life. I never in a million years pictured me adding Disney Plus to my TV viewing package, but I did it!! I needed a way to watch The Mandalorian. Crazy, I know! But, you should check it out. Really good stuff.

So here’s what happened. I made the mistake of going to SAM’S Club for a few items (which is never possible) and couldn’t resist a new, flocked Christmas tree (pre-lit, not real) for my living room. I had NO intention of putting it up. After all, I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year. My house needs to stay fall-ish—Thanksgiving-ish—right?

I agree. But, the new tree sat in the box, glaring at me as if to say, “Release me so I can shine!” And, I’ve never been one to hold someone or something back from shining. Plus, now that it’s dark at 5:30, I’ve noticed some sweet families are already blessing us with their Christmas lights. I know, I don’t usually buckle under peer pressure. My parents taught me that lesson years ago, but it made me get in the spirit. So, I thought—-there can be no harm in putting up one tiny tree two weeks before Thanksgiving.

So, I did. It’s up. It’s shining. It’s glorious. And I will not get tired of it before Christmas.

But, I didn’t stop there. Oh no, I didn’t. Before I could stop myself, the entire fireplace and bookcases surrounding it were completely decorated. Then, I was on to the front porch. Because—now I had a plan. Since Thanksgiving is outside and all of our guests are backdoor family, I’ll keep the backdoor and the outside Thanksgiving-friendly and the front door and inside Christmas-friendly. It’s Brilliant! Right? I knew you would agree! You’re totally welcome to borrow my plan.
In case you’re wondering if I’m feeling a little split personality-ish, yeah, maybe, but I think I can cope with it. Tomorrow, I’m heading to Hobby Lobby for a few more fall-ish tablecloths for my outside space and a new Santa for my inside space. Two lists—one brain. I got this.

To all my die-hard-don’t-decorate-until-the-day-after-Thanksgiving friends, please cut me some slack. IT”S NOT A NORMAL YEAR! We’re all doing what we got to do to survive.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalms 107 (NIV)