Should I decorate my house for Midwinter this year?

[Liberal Veteran]

I really don't know if I want to go through all the trouble.

[LiberalEsto]

1. I hear you

We do Yule and Christmas. But this year I am so sick and disgusted by the Iraq war and the election that I have absolutely no heart for any celebration. I'll see what happens as it gets closer -- my college-age kids are going to want the tree put up, etc.

[Cerridwen]

2. I don't particularly want to go to the bother, either. And I think

that's exactly why I'm going to make more of an effort to do so this year.

I think this of all years it's important to me to bring as much celebration into my home as it ever has been before.

[SouthPasadenaDem]

3. I went through this two years ago

when the drumbeat to war was building and it seemed to me that lavish celebration with extravagant gifts and fancy food were wholly inappropriate, given the circumstances. That year, I didn't even buy a tree, much less put up outdoor lights. I know where you're coming from. I would understand if you decided to completely check out on the more consumerist aspects.

Last year, while I didn't go in for any outdoor decorations, I did buy a tree and only did that in the way of decoration. If anything, I appreciated the tree all the more for its not otherwise being overwhelmed. And trimming the tree gave me an excuse to invite some friends over for drinkies and nibbly bits.

Try the limited approach. This way, you don't have to spend the next month planning/accomplishing the decorations, you don't have to buy any new strings of lights, etc. that you don't already own, and if you simply wait until December 15 to think or do anything about the decorating, (a) you'll be in a more holidaylike mood because all the decorations will be out everywhere else, and (b) since you only have 10 days to do it, you'll limit yourself to what's really significant.

My 2 cents.

[Cerridwen]

6. Thanks. That's very good advice. And I plan to use it.

Your 2 cents has just been cashed.

:hi:

[Left Is Write]

4. If the effort and trouble don't add up to

pleasure and enjoyment for you afterwards, don't do it.

If you think it might make you feel better, go ahead and do it.

But DON'T do it only because others may expect you to.

[LiberalEsto]

5. Tree of Peace

I had a few more thoughts overnight.

What about setting up a Tree of Peace, decorating it with handmade things like doves, stars, peace symbols.

You could neatly cut the word Peace off old holiday cards and hang the words on the tree with string. The doves could be simple ones cut from white felt, or you can cut them from old holiday cards too. Make white snowflakes like the ones we cut from circles of folded paper in grade school.

Just a few white or blue lights.

Ask friends to write their wishes for peace on small pieces of paper, and hang those on the tree.

I think this is what I'm going to do this year.