Some families have long standing traditions when it comes to the Christmas tree. Maybe they make it a family affair and set off for a tree farm to choose and cut their own tree each year. Possibly they pick out an already cut tree like the boy scouts sell. Maybe they buy a live potted pine that is planted outside after the holidays are past. We've been known, a time or two, to cut a scraggily little evergreen from our own back yard. (I recall Priscilla's horror one year when she saw our "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree.) It's also quite fun to surprise your friends and family by "making" your own "artificial" tree from a log and some fresh cut pine boughs. Sometimes parents, especially grandparents, get tired of the yearly search and decide to go with an artificial tree; no needles to worry about, no watering of the tree, no wondering how to dispose of it afterward.
Yesterday we took a ride to Wilbert's tree farm and walked back to pick out our Christmas tree. It was a bright sunny day with a trace of snow on the ground and lots of mud. We chose a tree that has short needles. It isn't too tall for the ceilings and isn't too big around. It fits nicely in the corner we cleared in the living room. The kids hung the lights and now we are wondering how we have celebrated 25 Christmases together and have so few ornaments. Apparently the gifts underneath were more important than what was hanging on the branches. Ahh, a few dozen candy canes and some fake snow will fill it up quite nicely!
That is quite amazing that you have so few ornaments. I've been married 14 years and have so many that we don't have room for them all. I usually have to leave some off.
ReplyDeleteIf we could hang children on our tree it would be full!
ReplyDeleteLOL. I'd like to see that!
ReplyDeleteWe always get a nice small tree. We don't want the hassle of a large one. With a small tree, we manage to have enough ornaments to fill it up okay.
The tree is currently waiting outside in a bucket of water. Hopefully, we'll get it inside tomorrow.
It's ALWAYS been muddy when we've gotten a tree, then I'm pulling off kids boots so that they can get in the car all the way. That's part of the "getting a Christmas tree" tradition.
ReplyDeleteI don't think a ton of ornaments is necessary. How about some icicles, beads, popcorn, or a red bow here and there to fancy it up? A lot of our ornaments are ceramic ones that we've painted, so they're heavy. We usually don't put 1/2 of them on because they weigh the branches down so much.
Those are 2 very cute little boys by the way!
ReplyDeleteIn Germany many children see the decorated Christmas tree only on Christmas Eve (I mean first on Christmas Eve). That is how it was all my life in Germany.
ReplyDeleteI will get the tree today for our house. Together with my son. That will be fun!
I don't recall the Charlie Brown tree at all.
ReplyDeleteGudrun...that is how the Staves do it. They wait til Christmas Eve. Did you know Holger is from Germany? (his wife is in CBS)
Martha, I am thinking that I was most likely a teenager with that reaction. I know as an adult I'd be less likely to be "horrified"
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