A Few of My Favorite Things
As my family and I have been enjoying the spirit of the Christmas season, I've decide to share a few of my favorite things about this special time of year. I'll try and post something new each day until Christmas so stay tuned. . .
First up, and rightly so, the tree! I'm an after Thanksgiving decorator. We usually put up the tree on Sunday or Monday. The first year we were married, we decided to invest in a artificial tree. Money was going to be tight for several years, and even though I'd grown up with a real tree, I didn't want to have to the spend money every year. We bought lights, (lots of lights) ribbon, rafia, a few stars, cinnamon sticks and a star for the top. Simple, but affordable.
With Christmas #5 came a line of Christmas ornaments from Target that I couldn't resist. Over the next couple of years I collected more and the tree is now a little heavy on the ornaments. I had to buy plenty because someday we'll have a bigger tree and those ornaments will have to cover more area : )
Jake (with help from kids) sets up the tree and gets all the branches unfolded. Next it's my job to add the lights. I have a love/hate relationship with the lights. Love to have lots, love the glow they add to the room, really really hate putting them on. Can't wait until we have enough storage space to throw a bag over the tree and put it away without taking it apart or removing the lights.
Next comes the decorating. For a few years I tried to direct the kids on where to place the ornaments, but I gave up last year. Instead, I let them put them where ever they want, I remind them that I might have to move a few around, then after they go to bed I undecorate the tree and start over. (I hope they don't read this ; )
We have a couple special ornaments that go on at the end. There's a heart ornament from our first Christmas together and a little glass angel from my grandma. This glass angel is to remind us of our grandparents that have passed on. Last but not least the star goes on the top. Even though the decor has changed, we still use the star from our first Christmas.
There you have it, the tradition and story of our tree.
7 comments:
my mom used to do the same thing. everyone would decorate the tree go to bed and the next morning it always looked a little differently. I've given up all together, Julia redecorates our tree every day.
Your tree is beautiful! I love all of your fun decorations and the story behind them all :) I hope you have a very Merry Christmas with your little ones and wish we could be together. Love you Shelley!
It's beautiful!
Great tree! I enjoyed reading the story behind it. Nothing better than getting a new Christmas cd!
Your Christmas photos are full of Christmas magic. I hope you and your family enjoy yours! :0)
Shelley your tree is beautiful & I love the crafts you made with the kids! I really love the close ups of the tree & the heart ornaments. I tried to take a picture like yours of my tree but it didn't come out right? Any tips or secrets you would like to share?
Your tree is really beautiful! I love the colors you chose! I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
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