When I was growing up we had a tradition that occurred the day after Thanksgiving.  Our family would travel out to the country to the Christmas tree farm.  There amidst acres of woodland we would find “just the right” tree and then tag it.   A couple of weeks before Christmas we would return and my brother and I would cut our tree down and take it home.  There was something heartwarming about having a real tree in your house with the fragrance of Evergreen or Spruce filling the air.

One Christmas, when my son was just a toddler we realized that my wife had significant allergies.  Our live Christmas tree was the agent of our discovery.  The remedy was obvious — the live tree would have to go.  But what would we replace it with?  The only other option was to purchase an artificial tree.  I was reluctant to do that.  As a kid, the only place I ever saw “fake” trees was at the gas station or in the supermarket.  Typically those “Charlie Brown specials” looked like large green pipe cleaners wired to a green pole.  The debate between Calvinism and Arminianism is nothing compared to the kinds of discussions that occur over the appropriate type of Christmas decorations one is to diplay.  Husbands and wives have wrestled with questions like: tinsel or garland,  matching ornaments or assorted ornaments, and of course the most important question — white lights or colored lights?  I’m from the north so you know which ones I would use.  However, I married a southern girl and so every year I joyfully string the little, non-blinking, white lights all around our tree.

But I digress.  The “tree” question was answered for me.    Much to my surprise artificial trees have come a long way in 30 years.  They don’t shed needles, there’s no throat-closing Pine pollen, their shape is perfect and they last a long time!  One of our holiday traditions is to get out the Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving.  What fun it was last Friday to begin decorating for the upcoming season.  My kids couldn’t wait to go and get our tree from the place where all Christmas trees come from — a box in the attic!  My son ably affixed the branches to the metal pole according to the color-coded chart while my daughters gleefully contemplated the location for each of their favorite assorted ornaments.  Truth be told, live tree or artificial tree doesn’t seem to make much of a difference.  The time together as a family, remembering last year’s fun, and anticipating new memories just around the corner is what kindles the fire of laughter and excitement.  So, how about you?  What are some of your holiday traditions?

Merrily,

Brett