By Pat Allin

This is the time of year we lose our sense of proportion. This applies to most everything from eating to decorating.

We are already deep into the Christmas Season. Probably the only thoughts you now have of decorating your home revolve around lights and trees, or the hope of getting the new carpeting installed or having the new sofa arrive before the guests do.

Most of us have boxes of decorations we bring out each year. And we keep adding new things every year. It becomes an overwhelming chore to get all this stuff out of the boxes onto the tree, mantle, roof, or door, then back into the boxes again a few weeks later. Consider leaving all those decorations in boxes and buy a couple of beautiful poinsettias. Most of us can't let it go at this. So, what can you do to find a way through the tangled strands of lights?

Take a few deep breaths and remember: "Keep It Simple." There are several ways you can simplify. Decorate only one room. Give up the big tree for a smaller one. Or take some of your treasured ornaments and arrange them with some evergreens and candles as a table-top or mantle decoration. Use only the ornaments that belonged to your mother or that relate to a specific theme.

Do you have a connection to your decorations? Are some old family heirlooms? Are there ones you collected while living in another country? Just as you enrich your homes with furnishings that give you a connection to your family or to a particular country or style you love, you can use seasonal decorations that deepen those connections. Choose what brings you special joy for whatever reason. Choose one theme.

Look for a way to enjoy Christmas without getting frantic. So much is expected of us at this time of year it is exhausting just to think of it. What if you didn't hang all those lights off the roof this year, but chose instead a simple wreath or evergreen spray for the front door? All you'd have to do is leave the porch light on at night.

Make a list of all the things you think you need to accomplish this month and put them on your calendar. Schedule a day to decorate, a day to bake cookies, an evening to write cards. Intersperse these activities with social or community events. Remember to schedule a few quiet evenings off. If you have more to do than you have days or hours, start to eliminate. Take deep breaths and know it will be okay if you don't bake cookies this year.

Merry Christmas.

Published in The Monitor, Montrose, CO. Copyright © 2005 by Pat Allin