11.28.2012

bringing home our tree

Yesterday we got our Christmas tree. Finally. I say finally not because it's growing late in the season -- it's still November, after all -- but because I've been bubbling with anticipation and excitement about choosing a tree with Ethan that it's been all my mind has been able to process. I felt like a child myself, wondering each day if today would be the day that we could get our tree. My husband had Tuesday off of work and it seemed like a perfect time, right before dinnertime, to make our way to the tree farm in the church parking lot right down the street and choose our tree. (That's how we do Christmas trees in South Florida.)

I had told him when he found a tree he liked, to sniff it and make sure it smelled pretty. He insisted instead upon sniffing each and every tree in the lot.

We ended up deciding on a tree that was eight feet tall -- bigger than we anticipated originally, but too cute to pass up. It was deemed an imperfect tree because of an ever so slight tilt and some thin branches and so a ribbon was tied around it so people passing by would know of it's imperfections. That made me sad. I, of course, thought it was just beautiful and Ethan happily agreed -- as did my husband, who was likely silently cheering for the fact our imperfect tree was a good $50 less than a perfect tree it's size.

We listened to She & Him's Christmas album and decorated our tree. You know how in your dreams your child is sweetly decorating the tree while everyone laughs and sips cocoa and enjoys this time of peace and tranquility? Well, forget that. It was more along the lines of Ethan throwing each ornament he could get his hands on (luckily, they're all plastic) and trying to pull the ornaments off the tree once we'd hung them up. It was still wonderful, as if decorating the tree could be anything else.

Our tree never has a theme. (Though this year I guess it's "no ornaments on the bottom half of the tree within toddler reach.") Each year, I collect a relevant ornament (with some generic plastic fillers in between) and each year I love to recount all of the memories of our ornaments and the story they tell of our family. From my sister's first Christmas as a teenager to our first family ornaments (just my husband and I and our slowly increasing family of cats), it's great to watch our family history grow through our tree each year.

Ornament-tossing and toddler tantrums aside, the holidays are almost here and we are finally ready. Almost.

14 comments:

  1. Aww! I love all your ornaments! My godmother got one for me each year growing up. Each year reflected what was going on in my life like braces or what sport I was playing. Can't wait to start that tradition with lk!

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    1. It's a great tradition! That's awesome you have a lifetime of ornaments, too! I definitely want to do the same for Ethan. I'm trying to figure out 2012's ornament!

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  2. I still don't have my tree... I'm slacking! I found you through the blog hop and am your newest follower. I was kinda maybe hopin' that you'd follow me back ;-) !

    Hugs,
    Sarah
    www.enjoyingtheepiphany.com

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    Replies
    1. Don't worry, it's not totally slacking yet because it's still November! That's how I'm passing off my lack of holiday decorating already! ;) We didn't decorate for Halloween until, like, two days out. Eek! I need to get the ball rolling now!

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  3. You have some really great ornaments!

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    1. Thanks! Sometime being an overly sentimental hoarder pays off! Haha.

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  4. love the sweet ornaments... decorating the tree is always one of my favorite times, the ornaments hold so many memories! :)

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  5. New follower from the Followers to Friends hop. Hope you will hop over and follow back!
    www.heymommychocolatemilk.blogspot.com

    love the keepsake ornaments!

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  6. I love all the personalized ornaments you have on your tree! I've never been one to have everything matchy-matchy so your tree is right up my alley.
    Looks like Ethan had a fun time as well!

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  7. I love Christmas tree shopping. Sometimes we wait too long, but it just doesn't feel right shopping a tree farm if the snow's not here yet. That's all we are waiting for- snow. And I need to invest in shatterproof ornaments;)
    Beautiful tree!

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  8. Looks like you guys had a fun time picking out your tree.
    Love all the ornaments!

    I'm a new follower from the find & follow friday hop! :)

    www.thislifesbeautifulmoments.com

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  9. Aw, I wish I took as many pictures as you! We had a fun experience getting and decorating our tree this year too... Such special memories and traditions. The dated ornaments are always my favorite, too, though they make me realize how quick the years pass by. Thanks!

    Heidi

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  10. how fun! your little guy is a cutie for sure :)

    new follower! :)

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  11. Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

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