But one of the chief signifiers of the Yule season is decorating for it. Childhood traditions were changed and strengthened with the establishment of my own family (House of Barber, established 1987), and we grew to have our own customs. For example, the kids and I put up the tree and decorated it, and Stacey took it down after Christmas was over. For example, we kept every craft and trinket created or bought by the kids and put them on the tree. Some more sightly than others. Yes, paper plates with faces drawn on them in Flair pen, I am looking at you.
But with the exodus of all the kids to lives of their own, I have kept decorations simple the past few years. Putting up a tree and hanging decorations is no longer a production to be staged, but is more of a seasonal reflection. The Christmas tree is a backdrop to the season instead of the focus. Accordingly, we tend to emphasize peace and clarity rather than excitement and chaos.
This goes along with our calmer celebrations. When the kids were young, especially in the Pelham house, we would have a Christmas crammed with people, with gifts, with food, with music, with too much of everything. The day after Christmas was usually a day for sleeping in and watching TV, coming down from the rush of the couple of days of hectic activity.
Much as I miss the stir and bustle of Christmas long ago, I revel in the newfound peace and tranquility of the season now. There is more to Christmas than feast and hurry, more of value than a floor covered in torn wrapping paper and presents piled on all the tables. More than a fridge full of casseroles we will labor to finish in a week, before we grow heartily weary of dressing and sweet potatoes.
So welcome to the new Christmas at the House of Barber.
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