The Tree is Lit!

This was a different year for me for tree trimming.  I usually have a household of helpers to assemble our artificial tree.  I still do the bulk of the work with one special elf... and when all the boring work is done, everyone comes together for the final touches... adding his/her own collection of Christmas ornaments from throughout the years.  This week I was jetlagged from our trip to Brazil, Primogeniture was at college, and the elves seemed to magically disappear.  So on Sunday morning, I made it my mission in life to finish the tree.  I'm happy to say that I finished and am so happy with the results!

I didn't realize what was missing from the tree when I declared it complete... until Monday.  I had forgotten to add my cross stitch Santa Claus collection

I have more than two dozen of these Santa ornaments.  These are the ones that still need a pair.  One day I hope to pass down a complete set to each son.  If you want to make your own, check out Charlette's Collectibles.  I've been making these since 1999 - and I make a few each year.  The buttons on the beards really sparkle on the tree.  You can sort of tell that from this picture as they are sparkling in the flash's light.

BF and I had a discussion yesterday about what sort of style most people use to decorate their tree.  He thinks ours is highly unusual (or was it special?).  I think he used the term eclectic (which for some reason grates on my ears).  I like to think of my tree as a Family Memory Tree theme.  It's a mixture of ornaments depending on what was important to that person that year; travels, events, hobbies, interests, etc.  So we have a lot of Boy Scout ornaments, handmade ornaments by the boys when they were little, Mets baseball, Snoopy "Beagle Scout" ornaments, knitting themed ornaments, handknit ornaments, my cross stitch Santa Claus ornaments, and so much more.  Each person has their own box filled with their ornaments and the original box with the person's name and year it was received.  It's so very nice to look at each and every year.  Once a year as we walk down memory lane, I am filled with nostalgia, memories and happiness.

How about you?  What's your Christmas tree style?  Do you have a designer tree, multi trees, family tree, homemade decoration tree, minimalistic tree?  Leave me a note.  It's so fun to read about everyone's tree decorating style!

Happy tree trimming!

Comments

[KimW]

There's no better theme for a Christmas tree than "Family Memory Tree". It takes us forever to decorate the tree because there are so many stories to tell -- I love it!

[Carolyn in NC]

Since I come from a long line of crafters and sewers we have always had a tree with a variety of handmade ornaments. From the little glittery popsicle sticks the kids did to the ones my grandmother spent hours cross-stitching to the handknit and handquilted ones I have done. It's also a touch of the generations of family history in our place. Some how though my mom and sister have "pretty" store bought glitzy stuff that all matches, but not me!

[kathy b]

Ha ha we have an ECLECTIC tree too. Lots of memory ornaments and a few very fragile ones too. WE have NEVER used tinsel as the pets could get sick. I miss tinsel!
I love looking at all the trees inside and out this time of year.

[RC]

Your tree is beautiful! I love the santas too. Our tree is much like yours. Nothing really matches but it is full of memories from whatever was special that year. My favorites are the ornaments the kids made when they were little.

Secundogeniture at college? I thought he was still in HS!

[Dee]

I love those Santas. I think I may even have one or two of those in my stash.

Our tree is like yours -- eclectic. Most of the ornaments are either made by me, one is made by DS, and the others are either a "memory" of something that took place, or gifts from friends. There are 4 balls that remind me of my grandmom's old style ornaments from the 1950's and 60's. We have a Moravian star on the top as a nod to our hometown in Pennsylvania.