Sharing the fun of Christmas decorating...

I have a friend in the blogosphere named Ivy. She and I both LOVE TobyMac. Of course, who doesn't? And if you don't ... shhhhhh ... don't tell me.

Ivy has started posting Christmas Memories Monday on her blog, "A Walk in My Shoes," during the holiday season. It's really fun to answer the questions she posts. Here are my answers. I just love Christmas!!!

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES MONDAY: Decorating

1. When do you start decorating for Christmas?

We start decorating the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Friday goes to packing away all the scarecrows and pumpkins of the fall season. The first things that usually go up for Christmas are the front door wreath, the nativity scenes and anything related to Advent. It took me a lot of years to realize that I needed to pack all the Advent decorations (wreath, calendars, devotionals, etc.) in one box, label it clearly on all four sides and place it on top of everything else in the attic. We used to always miss about the first week of Advent because everything was packed away with all the rest of Christmas decorations. Since we started the Advent box, we haven't missed a December 1st.

2. Do you have a color scheme to your decorations?

Red and green. And gold.

3. Do you have a particular collection or certain Christmas "symbol" that you favor?

Nativity scenes. Snowmen. Snowflakes. Berries. These things manage to appear in just about every room of the house. Since un-decorating in January is a little depressing, we keep the snowmen, snowflakes, and some of the berries up through February. Just to keep things festive for winter.

4. What is a decorating tradition of yours that perhaps your mom did and now you do too?

The Advent wreath. My mom's mom ... Granny ... always had an Advent wreath. And we always had one growing up. When I got married, my mom started us with out own Advent wreath ring. The Advent wreath has always been a treasured centerpiece of our Christmas, although it's taken on many forms over the years.

5. Where do you place your Christmas Tree?

Wherever it fits. This season is only the second we've had in this house. Last year we put the Christmas tree in the family room, next to the fireplace and in front of our largest back-of-the-house window. It's important to us that the tree be in the "heart" of our home, where we spend most of our time. This year the crate for our rescue-puppy, Pepper, is sitting there. The tree goes up this weekend, and we're debating whether we leave Pepper's crate and put the tree in front of the window overlooking the pool or whether we move Pepper's crate and put the tree where we had it last year. We'll let you know! We also have a playroom Christmas tree with the ornaments the kids have made in Sunday school and as craft projects at home and even at school school. Our last Christmas tree appeared just this year. Last year it was the tree at the condo, but this year, it is out Jesse tree. It lives in the living room and you can see it from the front window.

If you are willing to share your decorating traditions, copy and paste this entry into your blog and change the answers to your own. Then leave a comment sharing that you did it. Cool!