I used to love Christmas up through Christmas Day and then get very down the day after. It was because, as a wife and mom, there are so darn many preparations and so much shopping and cleaning to do that I never seem to have much time to sit and relax before Christmas. I do take some time for that, but like most of us, there's just a LOT to do beforehand. It seemed sad and unfair that once Christmas Day was past, we were taking down the decs and I never got a real chance to just sit and enjoy it all. And then I started reading about how the Brits celebrate (or at least, how they used to celebrate) Christmas right up through Twelfth Night. Right then and there, I decided that's how I was going to celebrate it, too . . . with my own spin on it, though. These days, this is my time to enjoy the Christmas Season . . . relaxed! My family loves it, too, though. Now, the day after Christmas is totally family day; no company invited! We spend the entire day lounging around in sweats or whatever, in our living room. The tree is lit, There's a fire going and we do whatever we want: read, nap, play games together, play with any new toys, etc. No cooking or cleaning allowed (LOL). It's a lovely, restful day for us to just breathe and enjoy the Season together. We try hard to keep the rest of these days after Christmas low key as well. Maybe taking in a special movie. DVD & pizza night (tonight); inviting a few friends over for a relaxing, low-key pot-luck dinner. One day we like to take nice leisurely walk in the bosque along the (Rio Grande) river with the dogs. Evenings in front of the tree reading or playing a board game like Scrabble or a Gin Rummy card game. Like Oakley, I find sitting in front of a lit tree in the evenings very romantic and relaxing. DH does have to go back to work that second day after Christmas, if it's a weekday, but we still try to keep whatever time we can special and still holiday-ish. If it were easier, I would pack away some of the knick-knacky holiday decs right after New Year, but it's all or nothing here because of how and where they're stored. I would definitely NOT have any big party after our annual Christmas Day event, though! But inviting a few friends over to sit and visit with us, all bundled up in front of our outside fireplace, with a couple appetizers and some spiked hot cocoa is festive in a low-key way. OMG, too funny! I've said "low-key" so many times here, but that's the only way I want to celebrate my 12 days of Christmas. It's the only way I can really enjoy them. So, yes, I did used to get very pooped out and tired of all the stress and busyness of Christmas, but then I decided to make it work MY way and we all enjoy it now. Lynn

I've loved reading this thread - so many great things. I received a wonderful Masala Dabba from my son and DIL with a spoon for each cup and a large capacity. I'm so happy not to have to search for all the spices used together in Indian dishes. You would understand if you saw how my spices are crammed here and there. Oh to have a whole divided drawer like Cathy's. Max gave me the new Suvir Saran cookbook "American Masala". I've just begun to look at it and I'm looking forward to trying some new to me Indian dishes. From my DIL's parents a fun bag of gourmet food items, sun dried tomatoes, jasmine rice in an airtight glass jar, a box of Gnocchi and much more. And a gift that will go on giving - from my DIL"S brother, a bag of frozen homemade Gnocchi and a LESSON on how to make them. His Gnocchi are really wonderful, I'm so excited about learning to do it from him. He has a handmade board from his Grandfather - I hope that's not his secret to success because I can't get a board like that. I'll take my camera when I go to learn from him. Lee

Thanks for the nice comments. The figurines on the mantel are a collected assortment. The birds (yes, they are metal) and the gargoyles (which are supposed to be hung) are antiques that were always in my in laws home which I admired and as they are in the downsizing mode have found their way into our home. The Father Frost (wooden) is from St. Petersburg Russia where our 2 youngest children are from -- it makes me happy. I didn't buy one when we were there the first time, but made sure to the 2nd. I'm trying to think what else is in the picture . . . oh the ark is an advent calendar (I think from Gardener's Eden???) - has to be up on mantle because it's person is only 2 years old and it is breakable :-)

As for decor..I have always done a nice outside display-and our entire development of 250 manufactured homes-EACH have a white lit 4' tree in their yards and our bridge over the lake, our clubhouse area & entrances are all lined with the white trees. It looks like a little Bethlehem here at night.! Inside...I have SIX trees-1 in each of my front living room windows..they are 2 sets of the 2',3' & 4' Alpine trees. I have 4 gold musical instruments, music notes & wide gold ribbob, swagged on my main wall with white lights accenting them. I have 4 golden drums that I have pine cones, berries & cinnamon sticks in each, sitting on my desk with white lights accenting them & I have evergreen boughs & red berries on each shelf of my Welsh Cupboard in the dining room. As for family-my daughter is flying in tomorrow from NC to be with me until Monday-1st we've shared Xmastime together since her teens were babies! I'm taking her to see the lighted Boat Parade on the Intercoastal on Sat night,, then Sunday-we're doing the Duck tour. It's a bus-like vehicle that takes you on tour of the Xmas lights in the area, then it drops into the Intercoastal & becomes a boat and you tour the Intercoastal for an hour.!! I'm not telling her what it does..LOL! My older brother & SIL bought a place 2 blocks over from me 3 yrs ago & he is the ONLY family I have in FL They are snowbirds from NY. We are all going out for dinner on Christmas Day then I'll deliver my 20 food gift trays that afternoon. Plan on being in bed by 9pm & darn glad Dec is almost OVER!!! It has been the month from-you know where!What with 2 cataract sugeries, 1 week apart, buying gifts & shipping to PA, company coming, baking & a $700 sewer backup (yesteday)..I am SO ready for 209!!