“It’s the most wonderful time of the year-all year at this New Jersey home” The owners, like the Whos down in Whoville- like Christmas a lot. According to the seasonal census, there are 235 angels, 115 religious statues, 71 wreaths, 38 Santas, 30 trimmed trees, 14 nativity scenes, and 2 five-fool tall nutcrackers in this one room. And every room in the house is decked. Outside, there is a life-size Nativity keeping watch over the swimming pool. And this disparate and festive display, is always on display. Sentimentality and aesthetics might have gotten things going, but I suspect practicality and inertia keep it going. The sibling owners “Shopped year-round for decorations, with Costco being their go-to destination. They are unsure how much they’ve spent over the years- she’s a lifelong collector, charging by credit card during the holidays and paying off the debt over the following 12 months.”
“The trouble with trouble is is starts out as fun.” This adage came to mind as I read that the house is now for sale. The owners (and a lot of the decorations) are headed to warmer climes. Presumably the life-size nativity in the grotto conveys with the property.
… ENOUGH
This beautiful fir tree did not die in vain. It’s made not one but two families happy this year. (Three, if you count the tree seller). The first family was going away before Christmas and needed to take the tree down before leaving. Enter: A friend who asked if she could buy their magnificent tree. The answer was no, you can’t buy it, but if you’ll take it away, we’ll leave the lights on and you can return them when you undo things at your house. What a bargain- for everyone (except the aforementioned tree purveyor).
Fun, without the trouble. And on this, the first day of Christmas, enough is a gift.