December 13, 2004
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My favorite part of getting the tree up is opening the Christmas boxes and pawing through the tissue, wondering what’s inside. I fondle each new piece, happy to have found it.
I left all the Christmas stuff with the family so I have started fresh. At first it was sad, but now I am happy to have a tree with ornaments that seem to go together, which were hand-picked by me. One of my best finds was a set of five finger puppets. The heads were carved and painted and each animal wears a suit of clothes. I found them at a garage sale with the price tags still on.
Last Christmas I had the kids come over to help me get the tree up but they lost interest after watching me fuss with the lights. When I broke out the boxes and oohed and ahhed over all my finds, they didn’t want any part of putting things on the tree. The oldest said, “I’ve never even seen this stuff, you put it on.”
So today, I did it all by myself. I’d seen a tree lot, right down the street. I drove over there this morning and looked around. They were just untying a noble that looked promising. He shook it out and I said, “I’ll take it.” Then he cut the bottom off and tied it to the top of my car. Meanwhile his partner was getting me hot chocolate while I wrote out the check. I don’t know what you’re used to but I felt like I was in another country.
It was the perfect size for me to pull off the car and into the house. It’s probably six feet tall but not that heavy. Getting it into the stand was a breeze, I don’t know why it was always such an ordeal with my ex-husband. I got the whole thing done in no time.
The outdoor lights were fun, too. I’ve never had all these bushes to decorate so I didn’t even bother with the house. It makes a bigger splash and it’s closer to the street.
I’d made a fire and was listening to some Christmas music when my oldest came through the door. We sat in the living room and enjoyed the tree. Now that I have that gate up and the dogs can’t get in there, it was nice to spend the day without them.
People make a big deal about Christmas on my street. Almost every house has their lights up and I was feeling like they were waiting for me, hoping I’d come through. I hope they approve.
Comments (5)
That’s lovely that you went to all that effort knowing it would mainly please just you and cared about your neighborhood too. I love the lights at Christmas. I’ve never put them on the outside of my house in the 10 years I’ve been here because it feels overwhelming figuring it out myself or trying to get someone else to do it. My block isn’t quite as nuts over lights as some so I don’t feel pressure. I do have lights inside my house and especially in the evening when there’s a fire in my fireplace, I feel like someone in a Dickens novel. I love it.
good for you!
Sounds nice. Sounds like a good impact! RYC – I’m not sure how much impact I make, it’s little enough, but it’s inside me – and that’s what counts, I think.
What a great light-fest! My kids are gone over Christmas so, sob, I’m not putting a tree up – could never do a fake one, and actually have no idea where I’d get a real one in this city without a car… So I’ll cyber join you! And enjoy that tree and the fire you have blazing… xo
New memories sound so good right now:)