Arthur decorates for Christmas

On Friday, a package for Arthur came in the mail, a wrapped Christmas gift. I put it on the sideboard and told Arthur it would go under the tree so he could open it on Christmas. On Saturday, he decided it was time to bring in the tree and communicated that fact! The tree was out in the garage, under a huge yellow plastic bag.

Dennis and I figured out a spot to put it, and then he and Arthur brought it in. Since the lights were still on it, I located the end tucked in the branches and Arthur plugged it in. Back out in the garage, Dennis handed down the boxes of decorations to Arthur, who brought them in. I found the tree skirt and let him choose which side to show. Dennis put on some very old Christmas records while Arthur went to town!

First thing, he set out the ceramic Nativity set on the lesser used kitchen counter near the microwave. Absolutely a new spot for it, but we didn't see why not to keep it there. With very little help and just a smidge of direction, in several mini-sessions he hung plenty of ornaments on the tree. (I rearranged a few later on to fill in some bare spots). In between ornament hanging sessions, he hung the straw wreath on the front door and the nine green and red stockings alternately on their hooks over the fireplace. He set out the "Best Christmas Pageant Ever" angel of the Lord, the pine and roses centerpiece, the woven basket with JOY blocks and the ceramic snow covered house in different spots in the dining, kitchen, living and family rooms. In just a few hours, it was done!

We all rejoiced in Arthur's pro-activity, his skill, energy and perseverance, that the Christmas decorating was done (so painlessly!) and how positive and family-unifying the time had been. We praised the Lord for all his help in this task, which is so often so daunting for me. Arthur's gift-in-the-mail now sits under the tree, waiting for others to join it!