Note the mini-boxes of Shiny Brites!

This year's tree is...

...not scrawny enough, but I can see into the trunk, which was one goal.  I stuff the lights way inside, then hang stuff so it's backlit and shiny.  And then I leave it up til March.

brown paper packages tied up with string...

Except the post office and ups guys won't take the string part--haven't for a long while...I am sticking resolutely to gummed paper tape, however, for as long as I can locate some on the Internets.  Got your mailing done?   I've still got bulbs to plant, and now here comes Christmas....sigh.

Christmas "Doo-Dads" from three generations...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSfbLYY-3k8&feature=email

My family always set out little toys, cozy houses, figurines, etc, at Christmastime.  Apparently, I have just discovered, this is a German custom going way back, though none of us knew it at the time.  I've inherited the doo-dads, as we called them, and now I set them out on my mantel...when I figure out how to embed the video itself, I'll do that, but in the meantime, gooo toooo UUUUU Toooooobe...

[excuse foil at Christmas tree base--it's to keep the cat from drinking the water!!]

Clueless gets crafty...

first make a big mess with all your stuff...

start assembling project, near the kitty box, of course

coming along, but too big and blowsy....

...so a slimmed-down wreath may be in order...

...on the gate perhaps too underwhelming....

..while above the front door, my mop-top "masterpiece."