The tree is trimmed. The Hallmark Barbie ornaments are delicate with detail, the battery in the Linus ornament that plays the Charlie Brown theme song has died, the crystal Swarovski snowflake sparkles with the light and the Santa from my childhood tree sits atop mine.

The stockings line the fireplace. All purchased from the same store, in different years, with different names. They hang empty, waiting to be filled.

Slips of paper from the Advent calendar line our fridge, reminding us of the activities we haven’t had time to do.

The garland on the banister languishes on the upstairs landing, partially hung.

Half of our outdoor bushes are lit while the other half remains in the dark.

My shopping list is riddled with gaps, re-dos and incompletes.