Monday, January 2, 2012

Lightening Up

As a child, my Mom always left our Christmas decorations up until Little Christmas.  Little Christmas is what we called it, but I have seen many of you refer to it as Three Kings Day.  It is also known as The Epiphany.  It takes place on January 6 and celebrates the visit of the Three Kings to Baby Jesus.

As an adult, I hesitate to say, I have never left my decorations up until Little Christmas.   I just prefer to have everything packed safely away while I've got the extra time off between Christmas and New Year's.  

As much as I love having my home decorated for the holidays, something about lightening things up afterwards is really appealing to me.   



 




Lightening up makes me happy!  

I hope this first week of the New Year is a wonderful one for each of you.   Thanks for stopping by. 

Linking to:

Marty's Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

40 comments:

  1. Its beautiful and yes light! I like the calm feeling.

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  2. So pretty Gina, I love your couch! Growing up my parents always left the decorations up until little Christmas too. I did when we were first married but not anymore. I take them down New Years day. I'm still putting things away today!! Have a great week, Martina

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  3. Gina:

    I love your decor, light and airy....Your pillows are also pretty.
    I usually take down my decorations on New Year's Day too!

    Have a great week!

    Kelly

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  4. I had planned to take down Christmas today but it is going to have to wait. I like your lightened up look! xo Diana

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  5. Looks really pretty Gina! I wanted to tell you the other day I watched the New years video. It just tickled me, really cute! Nice to have the house back to normal right?

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  6. I agree -- I'm ready for light and bright after all the glitz of Christmas! Your coffee table vignette is wonderful -- so many interesting pieces to catch the eye!

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  7. I am a Little Christmas person myself, my family is too. The kids celebrate it in school, and the next day we start to take things down. I couldn't stand not to have it up till then! :)
    I saw your comment on Downton , I love it too. Watched all 4 of them yesterday while I was sick. Can't wait for next week.
    It surprised me, as I am not a lover of Brit, of Frenchy or any of that, but it is a good story.
    Enjoy your peaceful decorations, we are still enjoying the twinkle of the lights!

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  8. So pretty and fresh ! And yes light !

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  9. G
    Look! I'm commenting on the same day! You are showing up in my reader now =) Woo-Hoo. Love those gorgeous photos Miss fancy picture taker ;) Everything looks so nice. My house is a disaster zone!
    Hugs, Shan

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  10. I have heard of the 3 kings day, but never heard of people leaving their tree up until then...I think we would have more house fires from crispy dried trees LOL! I loved taking down the decor, my house looks so big and clean!

    Carol

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  11. I love the fabric flowers in the little pot. Is that felt?? So cute! And, I love birds and birdcages. I can't get enough!

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  12. I love the lightened look. I am working towards and have put away most of my decorations. I will have to wait to finish after the painting is done in the living room. Your room is lovely.

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  13. Oh I love all of your white and your vignette is perfect. I so agree, I really need things to be light about now. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, marty

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  14. Your lightening up is so pretty. I'm still working on taking my down Christmas decor, not because of little Christmas but because of procrastination syndrome lol. It's even worse now because I'm busy with my new toy!

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  15. I love how you have lightened things up. I adore that color scheme. My parents used to leave things up until little Christmas too. We still usually leave up the outdoor lights until then, but New Year's Day everything else gets put away. The house feels huge for a few days.

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  16. Love your 'lightening'! Very pretty. New follower. Your blog title cracks me up.
    Audrey

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  17. Mine are still up Gina, I usually leave the tree up till Russian Christmas which is Jan.7th. The rest of the stuff will be put away before that.
    Love your couch too, the room looks beautiful!

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  18. Your lightened up look is so pretty! I love your checked sofa with those soft blue pillows. Because I taught school, I always took down the decorations before I had to go back to work, so I know what you mean. Now that I'm retired, I don't feel that pressure anymore, but we started taking ours down the day after Christmas!

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  19. Love your light and bright look. I also love that last photo with the date. Really very cool. Mind if I ask what editing program you use? I'm just about to buy Photoshop but I'm a little nervous I won't be able to figure it out! Have a good week...

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  20. I'm with you on loving all the Christmas decor, but once Dec. 26th rolls around, I'm ready for it to go away. You've done a beautiful job of lightening the look & it's fabulous.

    Thank you for visiting my latest post and for your understanding comments.
    CAS

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  21. Oh Gina, very light and pretty!!! And calming after the crazy holidays....My decor is up until February, winter is very bleak up here and I like the bright colors.....hugs...cleo

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  22. Gina, I'm the same way! Everything looks great, love the light fresh New Year look! Have a great day!
    Debbie

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  23. Oh I couldn't agree more Gina and your lightening up looks spectacular! I love the holidays but there's always something nice about packing everything up and having a good clean!!!

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  24. Hi Gina,
    I still leave most of my decorations up until El Dia de Los Reyes Magos...Three Kings Day. It has been a tradition since hubby and I got married and even before that...But I certainly agree that lightening things up does feels good. Always look forward to that. Your living room looks so light and pretty. Love it! Here's to a wonderful new year my friend.

    Much love,
    ♥Ana

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  25. Hey Gina!! How have you been! I have been away from my blog for awhile...just getting back into routine and catching up with everyone. I have some of my Christmas stuff put away and piles of this and that to get stored into their boxes. Your decor looks great!! as always. Wishing you a great New Year my friend !!

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  26. That's what I do, Gina. I wait until Jan. 6th, although, I have to admit I am looking forward to putting stuff away. I may just do the little bits and do the tree on the 6th. I've been leaning toward lightening up myself. I can't blame you for taking advantage of time off to get your house back in order.

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  27. Oh how completely sweet, Gina! Your house is SOOOO gorgeous!!!! xo Cindy

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  28. Oh, I agree with you totally!!! I love the effects of decorating for Christmas but I really do appreciate the taking down and simplifying afterwards. I grew up in an Irish household with my mother telling us that it was bad luck to have your decorations up into the new year so...down they came on the 31st. I have happily bought into that superstition and like you I appreciate getting them away before heading back to work. Great images Gina!!! Love the feel of that space.

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  29. Just came across your blog. I love your decor, so pretty... I agree, putting away all the Christmas decor makes the house seems so clean and almost empty looking...makes me feel so nice and peaceful after the hectic Christmas season.

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  30. Happy New Year, Gina! What a great way to start the new year! Everything looks so light and fresh! Your vignettes are so pretty! I bet you feel a sense of calm, after Christmas! Everything looks so serene!

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  31. SO pretty! Happy New Year my friend!!

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  32. Your sofa and decor are gorgeous! Definitely light and airy. Great way to start the year!

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  33. Love your lightening up. I too like to lighten up, but I do wait for after the Epiphany.

    - The Tablescaper

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  34. What a sweet childhood memory...I had never heard of Little Christmas! Is it like twelth night?
    You are right ...there is something refreshing about reclaiming your space... and of course,I do love anything "birdie"!
    Gina, thanks for your sweet comments welcoming me back.
    Blessings, L

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  35. Yes, I really need light.

    Living in a cold and dark country, needs light.

    If you notice, homes in Scandinavia are so white and woods. Just becoz we have so dark fall & winter months.

    Your vignetters are so beautiful.

    Happy NY to Yáll.

    Wishes from Stockholm,
    /chie

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  36. Hi Gina,
    I hope you're having a great weekend!!! I'm still gluing and taking pictures...lol! We went to eat at the lake today, so that was fun....Nice to get a break--it was about 75 out...I was sure happy for that!!!
    XO
    Cindy

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  37. Wonderful new start. So crisp and clean. You have created a lovely vignette. Enjoy!

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  38. Hi lovely lady.
    Your room is beautiful love the white I also love the airy, and the pillows are Gorgeous.Thanks so much for your comment on the Pink Pig !! he is so sweet. I will be putting a Tablescape on tomorrow and it will be pink.
    XXOO Diane

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