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Mike Parker Was Here...

Is it too early to decorate for Christmas...?

We recently reported a story about a local family who's outdoor Christmas decorations were ransacked and damaged... But it wasn't just a simple case of vandalism.

                                           You tell 'em, Sherry!

                       

Every year, Dovelle Smith spends three days decorating his home with Christmas spirit.

                        

But as you can see in the picture below, not everybody appreciates the timing of it. The culprit made his or her message quite clear. The hand-painted note left on the Smith's front yard says "It's not even Thanksgiving yet"... followed by an expletive.

                       

While I think anyone with any class can agree, this was not an appropriate, acceptable, or even sane way to react to the Christmas display.

But, in discussing this story with some others in the community, I've been surprised to hear how many people think that the vandals have a point, even though they made it the wrong way.

What do YOU think?

Is it wrong to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving even arrives?

I'll start by offering MY answer.

No. I love the Christmas season, and the decorations. I love the sights, the lights, the songs, the smells... And while I'll probably never have an elaborate outdoor display like the Smiths, my home is already decorated for Christmas inside. (No tree yet! We're not crazy!) But I've always loved the feeling of being around Christmas stuff, and my wife is a great decorator. So, last week, yes, two weeks before Thanksgiving... we broke out the decorations.

Now, let's hear what YOU think...!

-- Mike

(Want to see the whole story?... Here's the link: www.whptv.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=27589257-281e-482d-90ed-a53deca8f26a )

 

Published Friday, November 16, 2007 9:08 PM by MikeParker

Comments

 

jentroy said:

I don't think it's too early either.  
There are not usually as many warm days going into November as there were this year, so why not decorate while you can do it without freezing?!   Besides, there is just less than a month between the two holidays, and some folks go all out for their Christmas displays, so it's a shame to go through all that work to have it up for such a short time.
And it really does help me to get into the spirit of Christmas as well!  I, for one, will be putting up my tree when I return home from Thanksgiving dinner :)
Now, off to the Holiday parade to see Santa...which is also happening a week before Thanksgiving!!!
November 17, 2007 6:57 AM
 

Roxi said:

I really wish people would use some common sense and try to "put the shoe on the other foot". We are in a time of war. Military personnel may come home once a year if they are lucky. Hang those decorations in July and celebrate life, family and the time together if you so choose. Families, in general, may only be able to travel home for the holidays at Thanksgiving; therefore, they might celebrate Christmas at the same time. Who has the right to criticize what someone else is doing, especially on their own property?

Next time you see Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving, why don't you let it be a reminder that the whole reason we celebrate Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ?  If you really celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, those decorations might trigger a softer response and remind you that the spirit of Jesus is alive everyday - without regard to a specific date on the calendar.
November 17, 2007 1:26 PM
 

VUE46 said:

There's one in every crowd, we leave our lights & tree up till Jan 2. I had a neighbor tell me on Dec. 26 that Christmas is over, take them down. Well, not to us who have extended families and cannot visit exactly on Christmas day.

Mike, question for you, how come it is a family thing to decorate the tree, but when its time to take it down, its Mommy's job?  
November 18, 2007 7:51 AM
 

MikeParker said:

You know, I bet that happens in a lot of houses...!
To let you know how it happens in my house: On Black Friday, my wife and I go together to pick and cut a tree at a friend's tree farm. (love the Frasier Fir), we drive it back to the house, put it up, and decorate it right away. We each have our favorite ornaments, which I featured in a previous blog.

(community.whptv.com/blogs/mike_parker/archive/2006/12/13/1138618.aspx)

Then, we take turns for the next month or so watering the tree, and keeping our dogs from drinking from the bowl. Like you, we keep the tree up until New Year's Day. Then, my wife usually removes the decorations and packsthem away for next year. Then, its my job to drag the tree out outside.

BUt I don't just dump it. I carefully set the tree upright next to the bird feeder that is in the tree line in our yard. In the cold, the tree will stay green for another month or two. That way, we still get to enjoy the tree when we look outside, and the birds enjoy sitting in it.
November 19, 2007 1:21 PM
 

shellybell said:

Considering I now have 3 (yes that is 3) decorated trees in my house right now I guess I wouldn't consider it too early (though I did try to fight my husband on it). It helps get you into the holiday spirit. And if everyone thinks it's too early to decorate there is one station on the radio that has had Christmas music on since last week and we have been playing it in the house, the car, and at work. My husband loves to decorate for christmas and winter so by the end of the week our whole house will have everything in place.
November 20, 2007 9:46 AM
 

Babygirl38 said:

I personaly think christmas decorations shouldnot even consider being put up until
after thanks giving.  I feel it takes away from the excitement of christmas by putting
up decorations right after halloween no one has the christmas spirit that early un
fortunately .
November 27, 2007 3:49 PM
 

luiscosenza said:

I don't think it is every to early to decorate for Christmas.  I know I follow the traditional setting up the tree after Thanksgiving, but there have been times where the tree is up before then.  If people want to have them up all year, so be it.  Like it was mentioned before, it is a shame some people do not use common sense and think it is funny to vandalize other people’s property.
December 26, 2007 7:00 AM
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About MikeParker

Its great to be working at CBS 21, close to my family and friends around Central Pennsylvania. My parents still live in our hometown of Halifax, Dauphin County, and I've also got family in York and Lancaster counties, and in the coal regions just north of Harrisburg. I've got a passion for the stories that help people, and you can see my award-winning Engine 21 segments every Wednesday on CBS 21 News at 6. Outside of work, I enjoy hunting, fishing, and golfing. Most of all, I like spending time with my wife, Tara, and our two dogs, Sunny and Emmy.

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