Holiday Decorating
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: I come in Peaces
Posts: 2,071
Holiday Decorating
I had only been sober for a few weeks last year when I noticed the neighbors putting up Halloween Decorations. I had been a homeowner for a few years but I had none. I had put that in the 'lame' category on some semiconscious level, I think. Cos ya know, getting drunk every day is so much more productive 
I decided to take a stab at what made other people happy and off we went to Target. There was a light up ghost that my son (4) liked and I remember obsessing about it. It was $20. Was that too much or too little? How much do normal people spend on this kind of stuff? Then there were these metal bucket things that you put lights in. Those were $2. I had two children at the time (now I have 3) and they each chose one, purple and black. Then there was a cheesy wooden wall hanging thing that my son LOVED.
Then it hit me we'd have nowhere to store this stuff so I bought a large rubbermaid kind of bin. I thought "I'll label it 'seasonal'".
Then I went to the Starbucks there and got a pumpkin spiced latte and my kids split a brownie.
We came home and put up the tacky ghost and hung the cheesy wall thing and put out the buckets. I made my label, realized I had taken the wrong lid for the bin
. When my kids heard my husband get home they waited at the top of the stairs. "Daddy!! Daddy!! Did you see the ghost?? We got a ghost! And a brownie!!". lol.
Yesterday I went to the cupboard to get out the box and there it was. Labeled neatly with an ill-fitting lid and tears just fell down my face. It probably sounds so stupid but I was just so overcome with the memories of that day. The anxious trepidation. The feeling in the pit of my stomach that I was on the right path. The hope!!
If you're just starting out then please know it gets better! Buying tacky Halloween decorations won't always be a day-long production. Before you know it, normal life will be well, normal!
Happy Halloween!
I decided to take a stab at what made other people happy and off we went to Target. There was a light up ghost that my son (4) liked and I remember obsessing about it. It was $20. Was that too much or too little? How much do normal people spend on this kind of stuff? Then there were these metal bucket things that you put lights in. Those were $2. I had two children at the time (now I have 3) and they each chose one, purple and black. Then there was a cheesy wooden wall hanging thing that my son LOVED.
Then it hit me we'd have nowhere to store this stuff so I bought a large rubbermaid kind of bin. I thought "I'll label it 'seasonal'".
Then I went to the Starbucks there and got a pumpkin spiced latte and my kids split a brownie.
We came home and put up the tacky ghost and hung the cheesy wall thing and put out the buckets. I made my label, realized I had taken the wrong lid for the bin
. When my kids heard my husband get home they waited at the top of the stairs. "Daddy!! Daddy!! Did you see the ghost?? We got a ghost! And a brownie!!". lol. Yesterday I went to the cupboard to get out the box and there it was. Labeled neatly with an ill-fitting lid and tears just fell down my face. It probably sounds so stupid but I was just so overcome with the memories of that day. The anxious trepidation. The feeling in the pit of my stomach that I was on the right path. The hope!!
If you're just starting out then please know it gets better! Buying tacky Halloween decorations won't always be a day-long production. Before you know it, normal life will be well, normal!
Happy Halloween!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,826
This is a completely different story than what I was expecting from the title. Hits me right between the eyes and just what I needed to hear. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
I have negative baggage with holiday decorations. For me, they are landmines. This year perhaps I can take a stab at doing what makes other people happy.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
I have negative baggage with holiday decorations. For me, they are landmines. This year perhaps I can take a stab at doing what makes other people happy.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 35,731
Wonderful Post SSIL! I was one of those homeowners who decorated for every Holiday. That is, until I started drinking...then it became "lame" in my eyes too. I couldn't be bothered...drinking took over every aspect of my life. Just yesterday, I spruced up my fall wreath to hang on the door. I felt GOOD doing that. Part of society again...land of the living!
Thank you for your Post!
Best Wishes To You!
Thank you for your Post!
Best Wishes To You!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: I'm exactly where I should be.
Posts: 1,889
What a sweet post. There are so many memories that can be made in a small gesture or event. Hopefully, this can be the first of many for you and your kids.
I find that the dollar stores have alot of neat things when you have kids. Target I found to be alittle extreme if you are buying alot of items. I had 4 kids and have had alot of cheesy, odd decorations. LOL
There are memories you can make without spending alot.
Bake Halloween cookies. You can get cookie cutters in various shapes and decorate them. Even just cutting out fall leaves from construction paper can be fun.
On St. Patricks Day we always had green milk. Sounds odd but we looked forward to it. A few drops of food coloring did the trick.
Also can be done on Valentines Day with red coloring.
I also would buy holiday napkins for every holiday and use them for their meals or packed lunch.
Sometimes its the little things that make the most memories.
Have fun this year with those little ones and congratulations on your newfound freedom.
I find that the dollar stores have alot of neat things when you have kids. Target I found to be alittle extreme if you are buying alot of items. I had 4 kids and have had alot of cheesy, odd decorations. LOL
There are memories you can make without spending alot.
Bake Halloween cookies. You can get cookie cutters in various shapes and decorate them. Even just cutting out fall leaves from construction paper can be fun.
On St. Patricks Day we always had green milk. Sounds odd but we looked forward to it. A few drops of food coloring did the trick.
Also can be done on Valentines Day with red coloring.
I also would buy holiday napkins for every holiday and use them for their meals or packed lunch.
Sometimes its the little things that make the most memories.
Have fun this year with those little ones and congratulations on your newfound freedom.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Whistler, British Columbia
Posts: 222
Right on SSIL!
That is the best part of the end of summer. So many holidays around the corner to celebrate.
Your post made me smile and also reminded me how much fun I will also be having in the next few weeks
getting ready for Halloween with the kids.
Good stuff.
That is the best part of the end of summer. So many holidays around the corner to celebrate.
Your post made me smile and also reminded me how much fun I will also be having in the next few weeks
getting ready for Halloween with the kids.
Good stuff.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 13
Ok, so your post SSIL, made me happy and grateful for this day... then I read Prayforstrength's post and got teary because it made them cry.... for crying out loud!!! LOL! THIS is why I come here, these great feelings and the sharing!
Thanks everyone!
FJ
Thanks everyone!
FJ
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