The first day of December is my favorite day of the year. Decorating for Christmas is my favorite thing to do and I look forward to it every single year. I make myself wait until December 1st, but once that day comes, then I start my official Christmas decoration siege. Christmas time was always a time of great decorating when I was growing up and everything always looked great and like it was right out of a magazine. My family decorated the home inside and out and we all loved doing it. That is probably why I love the Christmas season and Christmas decorating so much.

I start by decorating the outside of the house. No haphazard decorating for me. I carefully place my lights so that they look organized and beautiful. I take great pride in my decorating and my house looks it. I want my entire home to look exactly like my mom's used to - welcoming and elegant. I have chosen to only use white twinkling lights in my decorating and I start by putting them on my bushes, trees, and the front porch. Then I move inside to decorate the stair case banister. We take the whole family with us when we choose our Christmas tree and this has made it into a family tradition that we enjoy and look forward to.

Last year we decided to cut our own tree, but it was not something that I care to do again. It was a very cold, snowy day and we argued and froze for hours trying to find that perfect tree. We found a tree that was perfect for us, but the time that it took and the misery that it entailed was not something that I care to repeat. I think that this year we will just go visit the local tree lot and bring it home with no trouble. The most important part of Christmas decorating is the tree. We put the tree up and then string the lights on it. After all of the lights are on the tree, then we each pick out our favorite ornaments to place on the tree. Christmas carols softly playing in the background is essential. I just love the holiday season!

Christmas decoration time is not only something I look forward to, but it is also a time that my entire family looks forward to. It also helps to bring us closer together during the most wonderful time of the year.