I have a Love/Hate relationship with my Christmas Tree
From childhood up till 5 yrs. ago, nothing but a LIVE Christmas tree was allowed in the house. Some of my BEST childhood memories were going to Hale's Christmas Tree farm in West Virginia, picking out the perfect tree, my Daddy cutting down the tree, carrying it home on top of the car and watching my Dad wrestle with an old fashioned stand...a board nailed to the bottom of the tree!
Who remembers these silver trees from the 60's with a color wheel!!
5 yrs. ago, #1 husband and I contracted the Nashville flu (at least that's what we call it. 3 weeks before Christmas,we went to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at the Opryland Theater in Nashville, Tenn. and by the time Baby Jesus was born and the Three Wise Men sauntered down the auditorium aisle, we had the full blown FLU.
Needless to say, neither of us felt like putting up Christmas decorations, much less a Christmas Tree. The Corner of the Den where the tree ALWAYS stands, remained vacant while Ma and Pa sat lay in their matching recliners too sick to pass the remote. The offspring were more concerned about there being no Christmas tree than they were that Ma and Pa were on their death bed.
Finally, Baby Girl and #1 daughter felt compelled to put the tree up themselves while we supervised from the cheap seats recliners.
This is not my home, I just loved this wall hanging!
It was from this point on that I have felt no love for anything regarding the "putting up" of the Yuletide Tree. #1 husband and I have figured out if we leave "the tree corner" flagrantly EMPTY, sort of like a Christmas tree version of "chicken", two of the three offspring will swerve and decorate the tree for us. #1 son could care less but would put it up if we asked. The girls, being girls, just know it has to be done. It's one of the perks of having girls. Sons are usually not the sentimental type. Know what I mean?
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| courtesy of Carol T. aka mamacjt |
Our contribution to "putting up the Tree" is getting the tree out of storage, into the bed of the Ford 150, up the front steps of the Farmhouse, and into THE CORNER! We're thinking that next year if we play our cards just right, we may figure out a way to connive hand over this chore as well especially since I don't see us chopping down a tree anytime soon.
A children's Book
A Season in Poem's and Quilts
A must read for every quilter
Once the tree is decorated, I love touching each ornament and reminiscing about where we were, what we were doing, or what the ornament represents. I love sitting in the evening with just the light of the tree, a good cup of coffee, and Christmas music in the background,
or better yet....
watching a New Episode of NCIS, NCIS L.A., Person of Interest, Blue Bloods, The Mentalist, or Criminal Minds (my 6 TOP watched shows)
NCIS 150th episode celebration
Thus,
As much as I loved putting up the Christmas tree when I was little and as the children were growing up and all home under one roof, my "LOVE" of the Christmas Tree is more After the fact...AFTER my girls have swooped in and saved me from a Treeless Christmas. I get to enjoy all the perks of having a tree without all the yuck.... the yuck of being reminded that my children are all grown, that my mother has been gone 8 Christmas's now, that I'm reduced to getting my tree out of a storage building rather than being cut down while on a family outing, that there will be no little ones waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve at my house, and that I can no longer hear the bell ring (watch Polar Express to understand this metaphor).
HOWEVER,
Once the Tree is up, I'm reminded that long ago, a child was born of a Virgin, in a manger, lived a sinless perfect life, was crucified at age 33, was buried in a borrowed tomb, arose the third day and sits at the right hand of the Father....all because I NEEDED A SAVIOR.
I NEEDED HIS GRACE
THANK YOU JESUS
Here are some Beautiful Christmas Trees I found online for your viewing pleasure
O CHRISTMAS TREE
MERRY CHRISTMAS
GMAMA JANE
And then after Christmas, it all has to be taken down and packed away again......
ReplyDeleteI laughed so hard - I don't do the tree bit and it irks people so. I don't even have a tree (ornaments passed on to kids) hiding in the house!
ReplyDeleteMy girls used to get my tree out and decorate it for me Thanksgiving afternoon. Somehow some time they quit. I tried to shame them this year by saying I guessed we'd just get a little bitty tree but they made fun of me and ignored the fact that I'm getting too darn old to be doing this! Next year I think I'll hire someone to come do it for me and then they'll be ashamed. Right? Or maybe I should just tell them Thanksgiving dinner will be served when the tree is up and decorated. Yea, that might work. :) blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteOh I know what you mean....I used to so look forward to all of the preparations...but my boys have their own families now. I dug my tree out of storage today...I put it up and will decorate it one day soon. I have the whole family here for Christmas dinner...sons,wives and 5 grandchildren...I look forward to that; but it is so rushed at the time...oh well; I guess they all have to grow up and get independant. That is how we raise them and want for them...Next week I will get the Christmas music on; and do a little baking...it gets me in the mood...lol
ReplyDeleteAnd we like the same tv shows....good for u!!!!
Well, this year, it may be no tree at our house. Unless you want to come put it up for me. One daughter is burning the candle and both ends at work. Younger daughter keeps changing her arrival date. My mother fractured her hip on Sunday and had surgery today. I am sick with the latest Nashville respiratory crud, so I have been of no use to anyone, especially to my sister who has been at the hospital with Mother. It's the pits this Christmas. Yes, I am whining! Cancelled doctors' appointments, cancelled haircut and color and manicure appt & brow plucking, no baked goodies, no cards mailed, no artificial tree decorated (allergic to the real kind) and dear hubby keeps asking if I am going to decorate! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBeckie in Brentwood, TN
This week I decorate my home and this year I made a wallhanging xmas tree.
ReplyDeleteMerry xmas!!
I thought about not putting up tree this year because we are going to my son's but Murray started to sulk so I agreed to small 3' artificially one, which still took me three hours to put lights and decorations on while he ran to store to get an extension cord. We always went to chop tree down when the children were home and I am to tired to do that anymore.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of all of the shows above to . I think we are all the same generation from comments above and all the fuss of Christmas is over whelming. I wish someone could come and do the work because I love looking at it to Jane when it is finished. My son is the one who loves the traditions but like his Dad likes to watch someone else do them. For the first time in 46 years I said I wasn't doing the stocking this year so we will see what happens. Blessings and Merry Christmas to all Sandra
lovely post Jane and i hope you dont get sick this year.
ReplyDeletegreat post. We are in the middle of our own tree issues....well light issues so the tree is still not decorated..lol
ReplyDeleteOh, I do like Marlene's idea, bribe the family with Thanksgiving dinner. But then again, that would mean less space to walk for over a month...hmmmm
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I agree, it is not the same when there are no little ones in the house. Last year we transitioned from an annual hunt for the perfect "real" tree to a tiny artificial table top tree. My adult kids asked me to make them tree skirts for their trees, and that was a joyful task. I packaged some of our "vintage" ornaments--ones they would remember putting on our trees as kids--along with their Christmas stockings, and sent them along with the tree skirts. We'll have 7 of the 9 grandkids here on December 26. Trying to get into the Christmas spirit.
ReplyDeleteI haven't put our tree up this year. I don't have space for it! The sewing/office bunk room is filled with...projects. Projects in desparate need of finishing!! LOL! Dinner is on for tomorrow if you'd like to join the group -- Panera Bread at 5? Pick me up at say ... 4:15? Hugs!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of HumBugs we all are. I finally put up the 3 foot tree. Thats all, just a tree. Lights are blown out, I don't care. This year I have the BLAAAAS .Dad died 2 months ago and still haven't felt "Jolly and Bright". Maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this - and laughing. We did not "bother" with the tree this year as none of the six children can make it to our house for whatever reason. Husband and I just decided that it would be a lot less to put away if we did not put it up to begin with and at 65 and 70 years of age, we are loving it. We do have our kitchen tree - all two feet of it - and the red/white cups and plates - so we feel pretty decorated and the dog just does not care if she has her bow on or not. Re-alignment of our priorities I call it. Judy C sends warm wishes your way.
ReplyDeleteOh I certainly can relate...however we still do get a real tree. Christmas is just not the same without children with all the wonder in their eyes and excitement. Now the quiet Christmas will focus on the birth of Jesus and that's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteWere you peeking in my windows this year? I'm at the same place about the tree... but we got it set up anyway, and now I'm enjoying it - that is, until it's time to put it away again....
ReplyDeleteAnd NONE of it REALLY matters - what matters is that we know WHO Christmas is REALLY all about!
hi Jane! Fun, funny post! And I must admit I do remember those silver trees with the light wheels!
ReplyDeleteI thank you so much for leaving your "calling card" and for introducing yourself! I greatly appreciate it.
I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
joan