Decorating Traditions

Most people decorate. Whether it be for Christmas or another holiday, I would say it's common. Sometimes it's as simple as throwing a wreath up on your front door. And sometimes--it becomes a tradition. 

I decorate because my mom did, but I think I took it a few steps farther. My favorite season is fall (with winter close to tying). So, every September I put out my fall decor that I've collected over the past two decades. Some are showing their age, others are recent additions, and a few are gifts that remind me of someone. For me, there is definitely sentimentality involved--and I now know that the same is true for my children.

It's obvious that Ida inherited the decorating gene. In her book, if we used it once, it should be up every year and in the same spot. Okay, so she may get that from me! She has been known to put up all the Christmas decorations by herself exactly as I would have.

It's the boys who surprise me, because in my mind, they wouldn't care if the leaf garland shows up on the stair railing or not. Wrong! After decorating a few days ago, the moment John came down the stairs, he said, "These are beautiful. I love that you put them up every year." And when Asa walked in the house, I heard, "You decorated! I love when you do that." 

Really? Really!

I don't have a big budget, and my decorations aren't something you see might in a magazine, but they've become a part of each season or holiday. It doesn't have to be fancy. My leaf garland sheds leaves each year, only to be wired back on by my husband. Add to that fall word blocks, crocheted pumpkins, a fall sign, and numerous other fallish things, and ta-da!--it's a tradition! 

Your decorating traditions don't need to look like mine. Maybe yours looks like a scarecrow family is visiting. Or maybe it's heading to the farmer's market, buying a few pumpkins, and stacking them on your porch. Think your children won't notice or remember as they get older? I bet they will!

My favorite fall must-have is three little white pumpkins. One year I grabbed them at the store and put them on a fall runner on the kitchen table. I didn't give them another thought until dinner time when all three children had an opinion. They discussed which pumpkin looked like each of them, whose pumpkin should be in the middle, and why Asa's had to the be the one with the shortest stem. There was even a debate if Ida should have a pumpkin after she moved out! 

Every decoration can become a tradition, and every tradition can be treasured by your children.