Tuesday, December 19, 2006

We have two Christmas trees at our home. The Boyd’s Bear Christmas Tree is downstairs. Over the last 20 years I’ve collected the Boyd’s ornaments. Three years ago we purchased a tree and they now have their own home. I have a curio cabinet that Don and My Father-in-law built that is their home eleven months of the year. The lighting wouldn't let me photograph it. The tree is trimmed in grape vines. Chelsey and I went out and harvested grape vines growing wild along back roads. The location is “top secret”. We had more fun gathering them.

We have a cut Balsam tree upstairs. It has always been our family collection of ornaments. Hallmark ornaments with the years written on them. There are the ornaments with each child’s age for the first 6 years of their lives. Don’s Star Trek Ornament, the Coca Cola Santa Claus, and of course the Packer ornament the year the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl. Don’s rule is the angel is always on top. We’ve looked at fancy ornaments and Star, but he always said the Angel goes on top.


This year, I found berry vines that drape the tree instead of the usual garland. I also added burgundy (my favorite color) poinsettias and balls. My collection of bird’s nests is pulled out and somehow there are always perfect spots for each. The tree really came together this year.
Even Eric says, “Mom, it’s my kind of tree”.

Chelsey left for work before we had finished decorating it last Saturday. My Mother started her a collection of Barbie ornaments back when she was three years old. Each year she gets a new one. Even though she’s past the Barbie years, she still gets an ornament. We saved the ornaments for her to place on the tree. One day went by, two days went by, finally last night I said, “Chels, you going to put up your ornaments?”

She hesitated a second, “ I didn’t think they matched the tree…”

I sat down by her and emphatically told her, Christmas trees aren’t about matching, they are about memories. That tree was her tree too. And one day, she’ll have every one of those ornaments for her own tree.

It kind of got me thinking. Maybe Christmas trees symbolize a season where everyone “fits” in. But I think in the grander scheme of things, maybe it’s a time when it’s OK not to fit in—to be differentand still accepted. That every one can celebrate the season of believing and remembering and thankfulness.

So smack dab in the middle of our Christmas tree, not at the bottom or even on the back. But front dead center is Chelsey’s collection of 12 Barbie Ornaments…

11 comments:

Bonnie said...

What a nice story! I love to see Christmas trees with a mixture of ornaments - and to hear the stories that go with them.

Fiona said...

Quite right too!

Clare said...

I can smell the pine from here. Have a lovely Christmas.

Susan said...

I love the Barbie ornaments. What a great story.

Carol said...

Wonderful story and so true...our tree sure doesn't match...it's all little pieces of our life over 32 years. That's what makes it special...no one else could have one just like it.

Libby said...

Where else would Barbie go? What a great story *s*

~Mandy~ said...

Love the story! I collect ornaments as well, and each has a story behind it. My hubby says I need to stop or we'll need 2 tress :) BTW, your tree is BEAUTIFUL!

Jane Ann said...

Nice post. That's the meaning of Christmas.

(I'd love to see the whole tree!)

Michele Bilyeu said...

I just loved reading your blog today! Beautiful ideas, quilts, ornaments. I agree with Jane Ann, please do post a photo of the whole tree! P.S. I was born in Louisiana to a Cajun French mother and a Finnish father from Alaska who has relatives in Michigan! As you say, Christmas is a time where everybody fits in. May I add..and also finds connections with everyone else!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Hmmm, we have barbies all over our tree too!!!! :) And Pooh, and tractors and ......

It is quite a site!

Merry Christmas

Patti said...

I love the little bits of your tree that you've showed us - as well as the sentiments and thoughts about it being OK to not "fit in" and how everything comes together to make a perfect whole when all is said and done. (Not really what you said but what your words said to me.) I'd love to see a picture of the entire tree - it sounds wonderful. And a picture of the other tree too. I love Christmas trees!