Early last month I took over the space where the Christmas tree has resided for the past two years...previously it was in the dining room which allowed us to control munchkin access by means of gated doorways. So this year, furniture was moved to make room in the living room for the largest tree we've ever had. The top branch ended up being trimmed to accommodate the angel. The angel I purchased for our first tree together as a married couple. It went on top of a tiny little three foot tree I spent way too much money on just so we could have a real Christmas tree in Florida!
Our first Christmas in this house the boy and his dad went out on their own to find a tree. They found a couple of old tree farmers selling trees in the parking lot of one of the older strip malls not too far from us. We've gone back there ever since. We always take our time looking for the perfect tree--perfect by our standards, not anyone else's! One of the farmers this year made the comment about how big the kiddos are getting. I wonder if it means as much to them to see us every year as it means to me?
Once the lights were tucked in the branches it was time to let the kiddos loose with the ornaments. I waited until they were in bed to rearrange clusters and distribute some a little higher. The lower half of the tree was decorated beautifully! The top half was a little sparse. It's evened out a bit now. Especially as the kitties do their share of ornament placement critiquing.
Please don't tell any of the other holidays, but I really like Christmas the best. I do. I love Christmas. I love just about every bit about it. The family time. The music. The decorations. The lights. Pulling out our ornaments and hanging them on the tree reminds me of who I am and where I come from. I love that I can pass that down to my children. And I love that they are at the age where they're curious about them and they want to hear the stories.
The hand painted wooden ornaments that my mom painted the Christmas I was born. When my sister and I left home these were divided between the three of us. Given our nomadic upbringing it means a great deal to know that no matter where any of us are any given Christmas, these wooden ornaments--among others that were also divided out--draw us together as sisters and mother...
There are tiny little clay pitchers I purchased on our camping trip through Portugal. A painted tin cat that reminded me of our beloved Sebastian T. Cat. A bright red ball that was a reward for raising a lot of money for this year's National Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run. A crystal star given to me by a dear friend and fellow Navy vet I share a birthday with. A handmade ornament I won in a raffle my first Christmas in Spain...
Carved wooden animals my mom brought back one year. She and my sister strung them up on a clothes line and spray painted them gold, silver, white and red and gave them all beaded garlands. A little bit of Africa to remind me of home...
My favorites, however, have started appearing in the past three years...ornaments the kiddos have made in school. Clay mittens painted and sparkling with glitter. Snowflakes and gingerbread men. Picture frames with their smiling faces...
New finds I couldn't resist...
And ones each child gets to pick out for themselves. The girl chose a shimmering purple ballet slipper. The boy had a tough decision between a dinosaur and a dragon. In spite of my love of paleontology, I'm secretly pleased the dragon won...
And new traditions. Last year Kyleigh wanted a Christmas tree in her room. This year when she brought it up again I remembered how I had always wanted a tree in my room as well.
I actually found a set of two pre-lit trees on sale, as well as a bin of small non-breakable ornaments, and sparkly garland. I had the trees plugged in and lit in their rooms when each came home from school. I knew the wee girl would be excited...and she was...but I wasn't expecting Jacob's reaction.
He was overjoyed! His tree was decorated before I could make it upstairs with the camera. He made sure that this would be something they do every year.
Of course, they now want to add their own ornaments to their trees each year. I suppose it's only fair. But I'm drawing the line at putting their presents under their own trees!
I've never been one who follows tradition for tradition's sake. But I love that our little family is creating our own traditions and that these are things my children can look forward to throughout the year. However, the tree falling over on us before we get a chance to tie it to the wall? That doesn't get added to the list of traditions we carry on. Everything else can stay.
