It’s that time of year again! Time for us to deck the halls for Christmas.

Wednesday was the appointed day, and after the weekly team meeting that morning the staff dug into both the boxes of decorations and the tasks ahead of them. Tracy had brought boxes of table decorations and the chapel tree upstairs on Tuesday so Kim, Jackie H., Sr. Barb and Cecelia could get started even before the tree was set up and ready. Decorations were placed on all the dining room tables, the cabinet over the dining room radiators, the tables in the Hesse Lounge, and window sills in the Crosby Conference Room and Joan’s Lounge.

While Kim, Jackie H. and Sr. Barb were busy distributing the table decorations, Cecilia was loading a cart with all the fall decorations to return them to the storage room in the basement. Then she and Adele brought up the lights and tree decorations, as well as the multiple nativity scenes, and staged them on the pews in the hall. Wreaths, garlands and other larger decorations followed on the next trip.

Nativity scenes were set up in each of the windows along the front hall. A “perpetual” tree graces the chapel. A wreath adorns the main office door, and two more frame the doorway between the front halls that leads to the chapel.

Two trees donated to the Marathon Area Business Association were offered to us, and we gratefully accepted. JustBob and his three Wise Guys – Butch, Dennis and Frank – were busy setting up the Christmas creche’ and one tree outside. Once the tree and stable were in place and secure, JustBob left his able assistants to spread the straw and put the figures in place while he went inside to get the other tree set up in the hall. By then, Jackie H. was free to supervise and be sure that the tree was straight in the stand.

As the noon hour crept closer, Kim and Tracy got to work making pizzas for lunch. They made five in all; a couple with meat and three vegetarian pizzas were ready for the work crew by noon, with cake for dessert. They were all a hit with the hungry crew, even the spinach pizza.

Jackie H. and Cecilia, under Jackie K.’s close supervision and occasional assistance, managed to get lights and the angel on the tree before lunch. After lunch, Cecilia and Terri hung the ornaments, and Cecilia artistically wrapped the ribbon around the tree. A tree skirt and image of the Holy Family beneath the tree were the final touches.

Adele, Cecilia and Terri returned the empty boxes and bins along with any decorations that were not used to the storage room downstairs. By mid-afternoon, the house was looking very festive and ready to welcome guests. The tree outside still needs to be decorated, but that will wait for another day.

Taking the time away from our day-to-day responsibilities is both a welcome break and a challenge. No one is keeping up with our emails, phone messages and other duties while we are busy decking the halls. Yet is it also an opportunity to work together in ways our day-to-day routines do not always foster, and it can bring out our creative side as well.

For the break from daily routines, for the opportunity to work together, for the sharing of our “hidden” talents, and especially for home-made pizza and cake, we say Deo Gratias!

P.S. Be sure to check our Facebook page on Saturday to see more pictures from our day.