Ever since I’ve had a home of my own, I’ve always decorated a Christmas tree on Thanksgiving evening. After the family meal seemed a perfect time, and everyone present would get in the act of putting the “old ornaments” on the “main tree”. I’ve noticed the older I get, the fewer trees I decorate — and I’m ok with that. Two trees this year is IT; I’m already DONE and Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet.
Growing up the child of small business owners, Mom simply didn’t have time (or maybe didn’t care) to go all-out on holiday decorating. I remember years when the tree went up the eve of Christmas Eve, and was taken down in late January. Many of our gifts didn’t even get wrapped — evidenced by the old movies without sound she filmed on special occasions. I’m still rebelling against that I guess…I swore that I would always have an early Christmas tree, and that it would be down and out by New Year’s Day. (Most years, the tree is taken down Christmas night, as we celebrate as a family on Christmas Eve.)
I’ve collected a special dated ornament every year since high school and they all go on my “main tree” every year. You can imagine how flipping old I felt this year when I put Ben’s “Baby’s First Christmas — 1982” ornament next to Coco’s “Baby’s First Christmas — 2010” ornament. Still, it made me smile…
I have to admit, the getting older thang does have advantages. Although it’s tradition that everyone gathers here for a family Christmas celebration, Thanksgiving isn’t my JOB anymore. Wuwu! I’m really looking forward to no mess, no clean-up and extra time on the couch watching football, reading books, and playing my game.