popularity surge

So...last week I figured, even though it looked sparse, it was about time to post about our Christmas card display.  How many more cards would we really get in the next five days?  Might as well...

But look!  They came pouring in up through Christmas Eve, leaving us with this:

This is the only element of the Christmas decor that I allowed to get chaotic.  It wouldn't have been very fun if I hung them all in one prim row, would it?  Or would you have preferred some orderliness?  I like it helter-skelter.

Anyway, since it's after Christmas I figure I better wrap it up with all the Christmasy things, so let me show you one more thing that came in the mail.

My sister sent me these snowflakes.  They're really delicate; I think she made them from coffee filters.  I wasn't sure what to do with them at first, but then I thought since we didn't have any snow on the branches outside, it might be fun to put some on the branches inside.  And it is fun.  I made sure none of the paper hangs directly over a flame, and I keep an eye on the situation when the candles are burning.  Haven't had any problems so far.  I like the snowflakes' whimsical finishing touch on this little area.  Thanks, sis!

I'm going to leave my Christmas decorations out a while longer, which might mean until the middle of January.  I love having this scene welcome me home after work.  When are you going to take down your tree...?