When do you “un-decorate” for Christmas? Are you a pre-New-Year’s-Day un-decorator, or a post-New-Year’s-Day un-decorator?

At our house, we’ve decided to leave our Christmas decorations in place until December 31st, but on that day we’re going to take down all our Christmas decorations and pack them away, so that we can start the New Year with a clean slate (and a clean house)!

I confess that I’m ambivalent about the whole un-decorating process. I love the festive Christmas decorations, and the house always seems so bare, and well … boring … after Christmas. No more lights on trees, reflecting on the shiny ornaments. No more evergreen garlands dressing up mantels, banisters, and doorways. No more Christmas wreaths welcoming visitors to our doors, or peeking through our windows. It’s a little bit depressing. But this year I’m planning to combat those post-Christmas un-decorating blues with a little perspective called “margins.”

Richard A. Swenson, M.D., has written some books on this concept of margins, which simply means making room in your life for pauses and empty spaces, and not cramming so much into your life that you end up constantly feeling out of time, out of energy, out of space, and out of money.

I’m going to think of my Christmas “un-decorating” as a way of creating “margins” in my home … after all, less glitter and more empty space in a room might just lead to an increased sense of peace and serenity. And that’s a very good thing to have!

Thanksgiving’s over, the leftovers have all been eaten (or tossed!) and it’s time to fill the air with holiday music and deck our halls with decorations marking the season! Wreaths for the doors and windows, evergreen centerpieces for our holiday tables, candles everywhere, and – for those celebrating Christmas – the quintessential Christmas decoration: the Christmas tree.

Many people have moved away from real Christmas trees in their homes, preferring instead the pre-lit, artificial variety. And there’s no denying that artificial trees have improved greatly since their early days; however, if you’re a purist, there’s just no substitute for the real thing.

If you happen to be one of those “give-me-a-real-tree-or-give-me-nothing” types, you’ll be glad to know that besides all the regular pre-cut Christmas tree stands, the Kitsap Peninsula boasts many Christmas tree farms where you can cut down your own Christmas tree. In fact, there’s a Christmas tree farm just down the road from Alderbrook Properties and the Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club community, in Union. Hunter Farms offers both the pre-cut and u-cut options for Christmas trees, and you can also watch them making their wreaths, swags, and garlands right there.

The Kitsap Sun has more information on Christmas Tree farms throughout the Kitsap peninsula (Hat tip: soundbiteblog.com). Many of these farms offer warm beverages and other amenities that make for a nice family outing. Call ahead and make sure you go prepared for some mud!

So what are you waiting for? Come on and deck those halls!