It was my turn to put up the Christmas tree and get it ready for decorating this year. Nancy and I tend to view setting up the tree as a chore rather than a cherished tradition. 20 years ago we didn’t buy a pre-lit tree and each year since we’ve bickered over whose turn it is string the lights. Fortunately, the setting up is the only thing that’s a chore. The actual decorating part is indeed a cherished tradition.
Emily was still at college and Anne was off taking photos for the school yearbook so we only had the 3 youngest kids available to decorate the Christmas tree this year. We had the usual assortment of handmade or “memory” ornaments that seems to grow by one or two each year: the canning jar lid with the photo inside, the Popsicle stick frame with a photo, a “First Christmas Together” ornament that someone gave Nancy and I for our wedding (sorry, can’t remember who), etc.
I used to cringe at those goofy kid-made ornaments, thinking they would just clutter up the otherwise beautiful tree; however, over the years I’ve grown to like them and it’s fun to dig them out again each year and let the kids put “their” ornament on the tree.
Now I just have to remember to refer to this post next year when Nancy and I argue over whose turn it is to put up the tree…