Thanksgiving weekend was long and decadent – “seconds” (when it came to helpings) became “fourths,” and anything that didn’t include eating, cooking or hanging out with family went completely, joyfully neglected.

But real life eventually came around. Back to work, back to regular life. And I, personally, was not ready for it. The holiday season can seem long and garish, but it can also be long and joyful – so long as you focus on the little happy traditions and ignore all the frantic, obligatory parts (hello, Black Friday, it’s you I’m talking about).

So, in the spirit of little happy traditions, I said to my husband, “We have to get our tree! This coming weekend!” and with his barely visible nod of compliance I proceeded happily onward with my day. To say I had visions of sugarplums in my head would not be that much of a stretch.

Upon having the tree discussion – if you can call it that – I also had a home-related revelation. The tree should move from front-corner of our living room to side-center this year. Last year it was too close to the heater vent and prematurely dried out. We can’t be having that.

And, because side-center will sit directly in front of our most interesting piece of art, we will have to rearrange the artwork in the house. That piece will move to the most prime living room wall, while the piece currently occupying the prime real estate will shift to the master bedroom. And so on.

I delivered this suggestion to my husband and got, I think, another faint nod, which I took to mean, “Brilliant idea. Let’s do it.”

And so, with the start of the holiday season, I have successfully managed to secure a date for our tree’s arrival *and* redecorate, and this makes me all the more excited to get started.

Next up, outdoor decorations. I wonder if the notion of “twinkly lawn reindeer” can get a slight nod, too?

[Editor's Note: If you need some handyman help with redecorating (ever tried hanging a large piece of art?) call on a trusted local home contractor through Handyman Connection.]