Multiplying decor is Christmas miracle

"A lovely thing about Christmas is that it's compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together."

- Garrison Keillor

Christmas grows on you.

Specifically, it grows in the number of boxes that made their way out of the attic early last month and grew by two as they made their way back up the ladder only last week.

"How did that happen?" I asked Mrs. Claus, who had decreed a minimal holiday display this year and prohibited new purchases of ornaments, garland and lights.

In fact, she threw out a box filled with tangled light strands, deeming them too old for safe electrification. She also retired several boxes of candles, which had decided to take on new shapes sometime over the summer.

"How come we have more stuff now?" I asked.

She did not respond because her role in the post-holiday exercise had been to put things in boxes, label those boxes, then point to those boxes when yours truly asked, "What do I need to put away?"

In fact, this was pretty much the same response I got when I asked my little dog why we have so much Christmas stuff.

The little dog didn't answer, either, but he always seems happy for the attention, and I find myself talking to him more and more.

He will sit politely and watch as I attempt some task.

Such was the case last week as he sat to the side and watched as I went up and down the attic ladder with three large coffin-shaped plastic storage containers, three smaller plastic boxes and seven large boxes.

"We've got too many ornaments," I confided to the little dog, lugging a box over my shoulder and up the steps.

"We've got too many lights," I admitted to the little dog, shoving a heavier box up the steps, using its angle like a ramp.

"Next year, we'll get the house more Christmas trees," I told the little dog as I let the overhead door to the attic swing back into position with a sharp "whack!"

He wagged his tail at the news.