So I've decided that Christmas is a lot of work! Doing the Christmas tree is a job that, to be honest, I don't really like. We're one of those families that has a (brace yourselves) fake Christmas tree. The tree is pretty big so it takes quite some time to assemble, do the lights and then decorate. Every year I fight the temptation to just plain not put it up--but I LOVE having a tree, and I don't want to be a Scrooge, so I press on. AND, more importantly we have three kids, this is our sons' first Christmas with us, and they really ought to have a tree.Well, the tree was a little easier to assemble this year due to Kevin's great idea last year of not unshaping the branches (and making them more compact) when we put the tree away. At the time I thought it was silly, it'd take up extra room in the attic, wouldn't work, etc. But boy oh boy, Monday night I didn't have to shape ANY branches; it was wonderful! AND Kevin did the lights this year, which was great. I put the ornaments on yesterday morning to the sounds of Bing Crosby (and my not-so-empty threats of time-outs to any child who touched the tree/ornaments.)
I look forward to starting some family traditions this year. I bought a gingerbread house kit for us all to do, and plan to make some Christmas cookies as well. We're also going to bundle up one of these nights and walk through our neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights/displays. I always thought that stuff was so tacky but I have to say my kids LOVE seeing the life-sized snowmen on peoples' lawns!
Now if only this warm California weather would go away...it's December for goodness sakes!
7 comments:
I hear you, my friend. Christmas decorating is A LOT of work. So far, I have been a little bah humbug on the subject. I imagine I'll come around soon, but I haven't quite gotten my mind wrapped around it. I imagine our unseasonably warm weather might be adding to my lack of motivation.
Oh! I just noticed our local weather report is calling for rain and a high of 61 on Sunday. Sounds like a great day for some hot cocoa, Christmas carols and tree decorating. 8^)
I have to agree about Christmas being a lot of work. But, isn't it fun seeing it through the eyes of our children? It really wasn't that long ago when I got excited over all the small stuff, too.
Oh, and we bit the bullet this year and got a "fake" tree from Costco. There are only three pieces to assemble, and it comes pre-lit! AMEN!
Ok, it's true. Andy and I are total fake tree haters. In fact, last year, Andy's mom was just going to pull the old 1962 fake tree out of the garage to put up, and he told her that if she did that, we wouldn't be spending Christmas with her. Needless to say, she went out and got a real one at Home Depot. All of that said, I must admit that your tree and many of the newer fake trees look really good and not quite so fake. Ask me in a couple years when we have kids...a fake tree just might make an appearance at the Gibson home. For now though, there's nothing like pacing up and down the long aisles of Halloway's Christmas Tree Farm in search of the "perfect" tree. :)
Oh...and yes, every year I get teary eyed when we've finally found THE tree, and the boy comes with a chainsaw to cut it down. Seems kinda weird: I love it! Let's kill it!
Jeannett you crack me up! My thing with a fake tree began when we first got married, seemed like an easy way to save some money every year as I'm kind of particular about the tree in terms of it being big, symmetrical, etc., so no Charlie Brown trees for me. Plus I honestly don't really care if my tree isn't "real", it still feels festive.
However I do think it'd be a lot of fun one day to have a family tradition of choosing a tree at a lot or in the woods. We'll have to see.
Last year I was kind of blah and really dragging on getting into the holidays. This year though is REALLY fun. They are both talking fairly well and understand the holiday.
We are headed out to The Nutcracker tomorrow night (the cheap, outdoor preformance) but I got them cute little clothes to wear, just like my dad used to do for my sis and I.
One tradition I hope to start in a few years is buying a $10 permit and cutting down a Charlie Brown tree for the kids playroom. Then we can string popcorn and make decorations for it each year.
I have my pre-lit fake tree in the front room and am really anal about ornament placement so I think they will need a tree that is all theirs. We also have about six inches of snow in the front yard so I am okay with celebrating!
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