Over the last couple of weeks I have spent A LOT of time over at the kids elementary school.
Sharonda and Zaron's Tree
So, our tree isn't much to look at, but I love it because of the memories that it and the ornaments hold. We got the tree when we lived in Michigan and we only had two kids. Each year we add to our ornament collection. It's to the point now that we have to rotate the ornaments each year because we don't have room for all of them. Last week, Zaron was talking about getting a new tree during the after Christmas sales. Megan and Holly got really sad, but Jill and Kevin were way excited. They, of course want a huge tree. Maybe it is time to move on to bigger and better; we'll see. A couple of years ago I wanted to retire the bow that we always put on top of the tree, so I bought a very cute star and was so excited to put it on the tree. Well, come to find out, the tree couldn't withstand the weight of the star. So sad. I kept the star, maybe someday we can use it. I emailed you a picture of the tree.
Scott and Stacy's Tree
Follow this link to read about their tree
Willow's Tree
Okay, not really Willow's tree because of the whole dead camera but it comes from an awesome site called Life at Willow Manor. So you see still technically Willow's Tree.
Get comfy, you said you wanted to hear ALL about the tree...
Ahhh, the tree. So, in our house we have an "English" (the country, not the launguage) tree. Growing up my parents were not exactly wealthy. Geepers, much of the time they were less than financially comfortable (not that any of us kids ever noticed). In leiu of large gifts, fancy vacations, and the ilk Mom and Dad cooked. We celebrated every holiday from Valentine's to Passover with good food and family time. One year my parents decided to introduce some culture to our palets and traditions. It was decided there would be Christmas from around the world... every year a different country's customs, foods, and traditions. First we started with Germany...that wasn't our favorite. The following year was an English theme. We had an English tree, dinner, and decor. It has been English ever since (how can you not love Prime Rib and Triffle?).
In case you were wondering, yes! you did need all of that exposition to hear about our tree. We have an English tree. It is covered in white lights. I prefer a solid 5-7 strands of lights (for a 5-6 foot tree), but Russ is a bit more safety conscious and generally limits my lighting to 3 strands. --BAH... those fire recommendations are just guidelines-- After lights comes the ribbon. Huge burgundy and gold (just because I like the colors), 6", wire edge ribbon is wound and looped around the REAL (Russ insists of that)branches of the tree. Oh, I should mention that there is A LOT of ribbon... generally between 30 and 45 YARDS of ribbon goes on the tree. The whole thing is topped with a gold filligre (I can spell, phoenitically what should be fill-eh-gree) star which Russ and Gordon chose a few years ago (Gordon INSISTED on a star topper).
Now, were it my house only that would be the end of it. However, Russ had some say in the tree decor. He grew up with all manner of ornaments, colored lights, tinsel, and such. A few years ago he snapped and could no longer live with a ribbon-only tree. He, and Gordon (obviously all of this took place before the other two boys), trudged out in the frigid 55 degree (just for you snow people... 55 is dang cold!) weather to find glass balls. He was kind enough to buy ornaments that work beautifully with the super ribbon tree.
for picutes, our camera had sadly died. We can't take any photos at the moment.
Hey, thanks for this post... I have not been in the mood to decorate, but I think it is time to start. Woohoo!!
One of the things that has happened as I have been at the school is I have heard the buzz of Christmas. What do you want for Christmas? What are you doing for Christmas? I can't wait until Santa comes? Do you still believe in Santa? (Said with amazement and jealousy) It would make a great Christmas story all of these kids questions and answers as they look forward to the most favorite of children days through out the year.
One of my favorite questions has been, "What do you put on top of your tree?" The answers have been many. Angels, stars, bows, and a weird thing my mom calls a star. That one made me laugh because that was what was on my tree growing up. I heard this whole conversation last Monday as I drove Al and her friend to basketball practice.
Al's friend asked, "What is on top of your tree?"
Al answered, "An Angel and all the flowers my mom sticks around her."
"That sounds cool."
Al asked, "What is on top of your tree?"
"It is a star, I was afraid to touch it when I was little, but my little brothers are always trying to grab it."
"Little brothers are like that." Al replied
It is amazing how much even an eight year old cares about traditions and love the traditions that their families have. Something as simple as the top of the tree decoration recalls to them the past Christmas's and the memories that surround the holidays.
Well as Al stated the top of our tree is an Angel with flowers surrounding her. She is a simple Angel and I have tried to replace her a time or two but I really do love her. Our whole Christmas tree is covered in ornaments that remind us of past loves, accomplishments, comings, goings and wishes.
My question for you this week is, "What is on top of your tree?" I want to hear all about your tree including if it is real or artificial, is your a tree a modge podge of decorations like mine, or is it a beautifully crafted and carefully decorated tree. Upon the top of your tree is there an angel, star, bow or something else entirely.
I know some of you have answered this question to a degree but I want to hear all about your tree. I would also love to have a picture to post along with your comments. So if you want please send me a picture of your tree at mailto:Krissih@hotmail.com.
I'm looking forward to hearing all about your Christmas tree one of my favorite Christmas traditions.
Sharonda and Zaron's Tree
So, our tree isn't much to look at, but I love it because of the memories that it and the ornaments hold. We got the tree when we lived in Michigan and we only had two kids. Each year we add to our ornament collection. It's to the point now that we have to rotate the ornaments each year because we don't have room for all of them. Last week, Zaron was talking about getting a new tree during the after Christmas sales. Megan and Holly got really sad, but Jill and Kevin were way excited. They, of course want a huge tree. Maybe it is time to move on to bigger and better; we'll see. A couple of years ago I wanted to retire the bow that we always put on top of the tree, so I bought a very cute star and was so excited to put it on the tree. Well, come to find out, the tree couldn't withstand the weight of the star. So sad. I kept the star, maybe someday we can use it. I emailed you a picture of the tree.Scott and Stacy's Tree
Follow this link to read about their tree
Willow's Tree
Okay, not really Willow's tree because of the whole dead camera but it comes from an awesome site called Life at Willow Manor. So you see still technically Willow's Tree.
Get comfy, you said you wanted to hear ALL about the tree...Ahhh, the tree. So, in our house we have an "English" (the country, not the launguage) tree. Growing up my parents were not exactly wealthy. Geepers, much of the time they were less than financially comfortable (not that any of us kids ever noticed). In leiu of large gifts, fancy vacations, and the ilk Mom and Dad cooked. We celebrated every holiday from Valentine's to Passover with good food and family time. One year my parents decided to introduce some culture to our palets and traditions. It was decided there would be Christmas from around the world... every year a different country's customs, foods, and traditions. First we started with Germany...that wasn't our favorite. The following year was an English theme. We had an English tree, dinner, and decor. It has been English ever since (how can you not love Prime Rib and Triffle?).
In case you were wondering, yes! you did need all of that exposition to hear about our tree. We have an English tree. It is covered in white lights. I prefer a solid 5-7 strands of lights (for a 5-6 foot tree), but Russ is a bit more safety conscious and generally limits my lighting to 3 strands. --BAH... those fire recommendations are just guidelines-- After lights comes the ribbon. Huge burgundy and gold (just because I like the colors), 6", wire edge ribbon is wound and looped around the REAL (Russ insists of that)branches of the tree. Oh, I should mention that there is A LOT of ribbon... generally between 30 and 45 YARDS of ribbon goes on the tree. The whole thing is topped with a gold filligre (I can spell, phoenitically what should be fill-eh-gree) star which Russ and Gordon chose a few years ago (Gordon INSISTED on a star topper).
Now, were it my house only that would be the end of it. However, Russ had some say in the tree decor. He grew up with all manner of ornaments, colored lights, tinsel, and such. A few years ago he snapped and could no longer live with a ribbon-only tree. He, and Gordon (obviously all of this took place before the other two boys), trudged out in the frigid 55 degree (just for you snow people... 55 is dang cold!) weather to find glass balls. He was kind enough to buy ornaments that work beautifully with the super ribbon tree.
for picutes, our camera had sadly died. We can't take any photos at the moment.
Hey, thanks for this post... I have not been in the mood to decorate, but I think it is time to start. Woohoo!!
Comments
Ahhh, the tree. So, in our house we have an "English" (the country, not the launguage) tree. Growing up my parents were not exactly wealthy. Geepers, much of the time they were less than financially comfortable (not that any of us kids ever noticed). In leiu of large gifts, fancy vacations, and the ilk Mom and Dad cooked. We celebrated every holiday from Valentine's to Passover with good food and family time. One year my parents decided to introduce some culture to our palets and traditions. It was decided there would be Christmas from around the world... every year a different country's customs, foods, and traditions. First we started with Germany...that wasn't our favorite. The following year was an English theme. We had an English tree, dinner, and decor. It has been English ever since (how can you not love Prime Rib and Triffle?).
In case you were wondering, yes! you did need all of that exposition to hear about our tree. We have an English tree. It is covered in white lights. I prefer a solid 5-7 strands of lights (for a 5-6 foot tree), but Russ is a bit more safety conscious and generally limits my lighting to 3 strands. --BAH... those fire recommendations are just guidelines-- After lights comes the ribbon. Huge burgundy and gold (just because I like the colors), 6", wire edge ribbon is wound and looped around the REAL (Russ insists of that)branches of the tree. Oh, I should mention that there is A LOT of ribbon... generally between 30 and 45 YARDS of ribbon goes on the tree. The whole thing is topped with a gold filligre (I can spell, phoenitically what should be fill-eh-gree) star which Russ and Gordon chose a few years ago (Gordon INSISTED on a star topper).
Now, were it my house only that would be the end of it. However, Russ had some say in the tree decor. He grew up with all manner of ornaments, colored lights, tinsel, and such. A few years ago he snapped and could no longer live with a ribbon-only tree. He, and Gordon (obviously all of this took place before the other two boys), trudged out in the frigid 55 degree (just for you snow people... 55 is dang cold!) weather to find glass balls. He was kind enough to buy ornaments that work beautifully with the super ribbon tree.
And that is that...
Oh, our first tree was 18 inches tall and covered (tastefully) in 3 strings of white lights and 25 yards of ribbon.
Every year after we decorate Russ looks around and remarks that we have to be careful, "with all these lights, planes will try and land on our roof!" I just laugh and tell him to get his sunglasses out before I plug in the garland. =)
Hey, thanks for this post... I have not been in the mood to decorate, but I think it is time to start. Woohoo!!
We are not much into outside lights because Clint is kind of a cheapskate. He thinks it costs too much in electricity. Bah humbug. He is our Scrooge! He also doesn't let me turn the porch light on, so, even if it's dark, go ahead and ring the doorbell. We are probably home. Sorry he's such a dork. I did manage to sneak some lighted garland on the railing outside this year. So far, he hasn't noticed. ;)
Everyone's trees are beautiful! I am doing the Blog Advent Tour. You stopped by my place and left a comment. Thanks, I really appreciate it.
Sherrie