Tree Love

I am a tree snob. I blame my mom. She always wanted a certain kind of tree. A Noble to be exact, because it had lots of space to put ornaments and other fun tree adornments. It is a perfect kind of Christmas tree. It is just that way... it was that way every year growing up, and now, I am a tree snob. Always fresh... Always a Noble.. Tree Snob.

My mom has a fake tree now (heretic). I am not sure why. But she does. I am not even sure when it started to happen.. I must have been gone that year. Nevertheless, it is fake now.

This year, we had a tree budget due to unforseen circumstances. I really couldn't spend $80-100 bones on a tree. (They seem more expensive here in AZ). We needed to go with a Douglas Fir. Lots cheaper... Half. I thought, for a moment about getting a fake tree... but, really, if I am going to go out and spend THAT MUCH on a tree.. I might as well get a fresh one. Just trying to do my part for the environment. It didn't make much sense to get a $125 fake one when I could get a fresh one for $35.

My husband and I fought for about it for 7 days because I didn't want to go get it, because it wasn't going to be the perfect tree. But he didn't want to pick it out without me (bad history in general) So, he finally took the kids to get the tree... and it is finally decorated... none too soon.

Jaxon was starting to melt down each day there wasn't a Christmas Tree in our house because he was certain that it meant impending doom.. or no presents.. or no Christmas.

SO, in effort to not focus on my imperfect tree, I thought I would focus on my decorations, because as I lifted each one out of the boxes... my indifference about our tree finally lifted and looking at each little detail started to bring me the Spirit of Christmas.

I love this fairy Christmas Santa Elf... (what would YOU call it) I don't know why, but when I pulled it out of that box, it just made me happy. I wrapped its little elfish legs around the tree and voila.. my tree became a masterpiece.

I love those little berry circular things. (I obviously don't have a formal name for ANYTHING) They looked much better in my (ahem) Noble, but I shoved 'em into the bushy tree somehow, and so far, they have stayed.

My husband and I fought about colored lights vs. white lights for oh, I don't know, 5 years or so... He finally gave up. My concession was the bubble lights and guess what. I like 'em. Oh, and the ribbon... it is perfect.. It is green on one side and red with green polka dots on the other. I only found one spool so there are no bows.. just draped ribbon on the tree stuffed into the branches now and again.

Of course, most of these items were purchased at the Mecca Tai Pan. Just get there.. Quit making excuses. I love the funky stars and fun letters they have to stuff in the tree.

For the GRANDE finale... Jaxon insisted that we join hands around the tree and sing Da-hoo Doray (From the Original Grinch Video) and surprisingly, Peter and I got through three verses and made it sound like we knew all the words. In perfect unison. A new Family TRADITION. (It was hilarious, and I would have taken a picture of our children's faces GLOWING with GLEE, but I was holding hands with Abby)