This past weekend I decorated my house for Christmas. No, I don’t have a tradition of decorating the day after Thanksgiving, as do some families. I just do it when I have time, which happened to be right after Thanksgiving.

While I do enjoy the Christmas season and feel that Jesus’ birth certainly deserves celebration, I’m not one to go all out with the decorations. In fact, my entire collection fits in two boxes: one for the tree, one for everything else. If it doesn’t fit, it isn’t kept.

The first thing I set up is my little ole’ fiber optic tree. After my first wife and I separated, I inherited everything in our storage unit. This tree was included and I’ve used it ever since. It’s not intended to have ornaments hung on its branches, but that’s never stopped me. Also, the gold cardboard and macaroni star on top was made by my daughter in Sunday School. Best topper ever.

I also inherited several boxes of large ball ornaments, too big for my little tree. Those I hang on the two artificial trees we have standing in our living room. It isn’t Christmas in Florida without a decorated palm tree.

Next, we have our fireplace. All the stocking are taped to the tile. The tape would never support any gifts that were put in them, so they are just there to look festive. Protecting the empty stockings is a row of nutcrackers. And off to the right is Mr. Foxy McFoxington.

I even have a simple little Nativity scene that I set up.

No, you are not seeing things. Joseph and one of the wise men are mice. Now, before anyone starts questioning the accuracy of the Bible because it fails to mention giant mice people I should explain. The two characters in question were lost long ago. In fact, I don’t ever remember having them. But I did have two mice figurines that fit in nicely. At least I thought so.

Whatever items I have left I place strategically around the room. (Doesn’t everyone pin stockings under their framed wall art?)

Finally, we have the seven foot tall Eiffel Tower, because every home should have a twinkling Eiffel Tower for the holidays. At least that’s what my wife believes.

Remember back at the beginning of this article when I said that if it doesn’t fit in the box it doesn’t stay? Unfortunately, that rule doesn’t apply to this . . . thing. It doesn’t fit in the box. It’s too intricate to break down and pack up in its original box. So guess what . . . it stays up all year. Yay! (Read that with extreme sarcasm.)

So now that the tree, stockings, and ornaments are all set up it’s time for my wife and me to participate in the event that these decorations remind us of most. That’s right . . . Living Room Time!