I, Jannine Gallant, am a Christmas Village junkie. (Hangs head in shame.)
It isn't just the houses, which wouldn't be so bad. It's the fake snow and all the little figures that give each scene such a festive touch. Then there are the lights. Extension cords and light strings are hidden behind the displays in a diabolical arrangement that should require an electrician. I just keep my fingers crossed and hope I don't short-circuit the house...or the neighborhood...with my addiction.
I wasn't always this way. My mother-in-law, a lovely woman who adored Christmas, started me on the path to over-decorating. She had well over a hundred of those gorgeous Christmas Village houses. Her home was covered in them through the holidays, and she left them up until Easter. Then, after her four Children married and had kids, she began pawning them off on us...a few at a time. Manageable. When she passed away, the remaining dozens of houses were divvied up.
Are my husband's siblings compelled to put them all out every year? Uh, no. I'm the only crazy in the family it seems. My daughters roll their eyes. My dog gets mad because I won't let anyone throw balls in the house for the month and a half the Christmas houses reign supreme. (Yes, I'm forced to take them down by mid-January.) However, I love having them up. And maybe one day, when my girls are past the eye-rolling teenage stage, they'll appreciate the tradition. Somewhere down the road, I'll get to pawn them off on them!
Happy Thanksgiving to all...and may you have a wonderful time decorating for Christmas!
