On Last Year’s Tree
I’m kind of stubborn when it comes to Christmas. It’s the one time of the year that I hold out for traditions, especially in this house that has seen family Christmas celebrations for more than a hundred years. First and foremost: no decorations go up until Thanksgiving is over.
That makes it a little tough in years like this one when the calendar doesn’t cooperate and the two holidays end up being almost back-to-back. However, with Nyel unable to help lift, carry, climb ladders or otherwise join in the preparations, I am in total Rethink Mode. Beginning with the tree.
Under ordinary circumstances, we would probably have gone yesterday to pick out the perfect ten-foot Noble Fir to stand in the bay window and today the two of us would be muscling it into an upright position under the eleven-foot ceiling. But not this year. And, while I am in full agreement with no big tree, I am unwilling to compromise on a little ‘token’ tree. That’s where my stubborn streak kicks in.
Wind-up Toys 2008
I’m thinking that this Christmas it will be all poinsettias and wind-up toys and our traditional holiday menus – my great-grandmother Julia Espy’s recipe for baked oysters on Christmas Eve and a turkey with all the accoutrements for Christmas dinner. And, of course, Christmas stockings with coffee and a sweet to begin Christmas day. But no tree.
I’ll miss unwrapping and greeting all the familiar ornaments – especially the tattered old Christmas angel that always graces the top of the tree. But… there’s always next year. I’m already counting on it!
We used to put up a 16 ft tree that we cut I miss having a big tree at the holidays, but in Ilwaco there isn’t room and as long as
Okay, tablet failure! Where I was driving is while I miss a big tree at the holidays I don’t have the energy to decorate 16 feet of tree and find myself content with two tiny trees. Maybe next year you’d let me help with your ten ft tree!
Something I tried, and was happy with, rather than a tree, I put up several large wreaths inside and hung favorite ornaments from them. I had one wreath with just favorite ones, one with ornaments made by the kids when they were little, one with 12 Days of Christmas theme, and a couple little ones for ornaments from my own childhood and one with angels.