The perfect tree

My mom's trees, every year, stood short and stout and were overloaded with ornaments of every size and shape and color. It was okay because it was the family tree, but I expected that when I moved out and had a tree of my own, it would be *the perfect tree*. Only specific colors, no colored lights (mom loved the colored lights) and only "pretty" ornaments.

I moved out in 1999, but I don't think I had my own tree until 2001. It was perfect. Red and gold ornaments only, ball garland, white lights. It was a thing of beauty.

I kept that up until 2005-ish. My future mother in law me bought an egg Christmas ornament that, while gorgeous, was not in my color scheme. I couldn't exactly turn it down, but I put it toward the back. No harm.

2008 brought children, and 2010 brought more children. Children brought ornaments that they picked out, ornaments that they made, ornaments of their pictures. 2010 I gave up on the perfect live fir tree and ordered a nine foot
prelit Christmas tree.

 

The year Henry was born - New baby and big brother ornaments

Spencer decorates his own 

 Last year my mom brought me a box of ornaments from her tree, ornaments of mine through the year. This lollypop was made in 1991. When she gave them to me, I wasn't exactly excited to put them on my tree. Who needs a bunch of old ornaments? Me. I need a bunch of old ornaments. It was lovely putting part of my past up on my own tree.

(this is a photo ornament of Spencer the year he was born, and behind it is a star I made in pre-k. PRESCHOOL. 1984.

 Salt dough ornaments from last year's advent activities.

There are ornaments given to us by family and friends, and ornaments that remind me of old friends.

And now, now my tree is absolutely perfect.