Some of my earliest memories of Christmas center around the tree.  I love the music, the deeper spiritual celebration, and the family traditions, but I’m a visual person so the vivid image of a glowing tree has always stood out bright in my mind.  I also really loved the scent of a fresh cut pine, kept fresh in my father’s specially made multi-gallon watering stand.

Then came the year I broke out in hives when I touched the tree…

So, my traditions have changed.  As soon as we had graduated to the real world of paychecks, we bought a pre-lit Christmas tree that looks as real as we could afford.  Each year I’ve scrooged my way through the after Christmas sales to buy only those ornaments which I most loved–and loved the price.  I like to change-up the colors on the tree from year to year, so I’ve built up a collection of ornaments which can take the look in a deep, wine-colored direction, a chipper red and white candycane theme, or, a personal favorite, blue, silver and white, like icey bells on a New Englad morning.

We begin the tree-decorating season with the kids putting up their own tree, while I surprise them each morning with what I’ve done the night before on the family tree.  Invariably we wind up with the kids directing my every move in the evening while we listen to Christmas music.  This year we went with plenty of blue and a snow-kissed look in the ribbons.  My camera couldn’t take it with the lights out, so the pic doesn’t do it justice, but you get the idea.

Now I just need to wrap some pals for that poor lonesome present hanging out by himself.  Oh, yeah.  And clear out all the empty Christmas boxes hiding from the camera.

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