I'm one of those who won't put the tree up until either December 1st, or the first Saturday in December (depending on the year). But this year has been slightly hectic so the tree went up on Sunday (still in November!!!), but the decorations didn't make it on until the 1st.
In past years I've done catalogue-style trees and quite enjoyed them. But my favourite is definitely when I put all of the decorations I've been given on, and have a slightly crazy-looking, homey tree.
I love pulling each one out of the box and unwrapping them, and being reminded of who gave them to me and where I was at the time.
The glass tear drop and the yellow bauble are from my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. They've had a tradition of giving each other a decoration each year, and they included me as soon as I married the Big Fella.
No family Christmas tree is complete without some home-made items. And a little whimsy.
I love the ones with photos of family, and how as I place each item on the tree, I'm flooded with memories of good times and great people that make my life rich.
No matter what kind of tree I have, no matter the colour scheme or theme, this bauble always makes it on to the tree. Before the Big Fella and I started dating we went to a Christmas festival in the street where he worked. It's a vintage-style street with a real village atmosphere.
A bunch of friends were meant to join us, but for some reason they all pulled out so it ended up being just the Big Fella and I. (I sometimes wonder if he arranged it that way, but I've never asked.)
We wandered around looking at things and having a great time together, when we came to the little square just up from his workshop. There was a lady there putting peoples' names on baubles and hanging them from the tree in the centre of the square.
We got our initials put on and hung the bauble in the tree.
After Christmas, when we were officially together, the Big Fella went to the tree and found our bauble. He produced it the following Christmas (just a few weeks before we were married).
See? Each ornament has a story and an emotional connection to great times and places! This is my annual reminder of people who have been in my life and shared a bit of themselves with me. It reminds me that I am here, the person I am now because of the influence of these wonderful people.
So, my Christmas tree, thank you for reminding me how great life is and how precious people are, and that the "silly season" is about more than stress and money.
