There are not many things prettier than a perfectly decorated Christmas tree. I love walking through professionally decorated stores and seeing how lovely they can look with well- coordinated ornaments, garland, and an angel or star on top. I have always wanted one of those trees in my home but have not yet had such luck.Monday night we started trimming our Christmas tree. My husband pulled our 4-year-old, pre-lit tree out of the storage shed and put it all together. It took a bit to make sure the cords were plugged together correctly to get all the lights to work, but soon enough it was shining in our living room.
I had the kids spend ten to fifteen minutes fluffing the branches to make it look more natural. This is the first year I have had them help me do it. This is my least favorite chore associated with putting up the tree, so it was nice to have the help. But I must admit there was some whining and complaining by my little comrades. "Is that good enough, Mom?" was said more than once.
After the fluffing I headed out to the garage to bring in the ornaments. I keep my ornaments sorted into two groups: the non-breakable ones the kids get to put on the tree and the breakable/favorite ones I get to put on the tree. The kids ones are kept in a plastic grocery sack. Mine are kept in a special container for ornaments I purchased at Target a few years back.
The kids tore into their ornaments and began what is my favorite part of decorating the tree: watching the kids put their ornaments on the lower half of the tree. Not that they don't want to put them higher, just that they can't reach that high. Only Patch is getting taller now, so I guess technically they can reach up about two-thirds of the way.
Funny, this used to be my least favorite part--to watch the kids put their ornaments on, clumping them in groups and leaving big bare spots. In the past I could hardly stand to watch the growing imperfection of it all. But now I find great enjoyment sitting and watching them, taking a picture or two, and knowing it can all be rearranged later. I must be mellowing in my middle age.
Within about ten minutes the kids had all their ornaments on the tree and were eyeing mine, still neatly nestled in their Target container. I gave in on a few pewter ones I love, but said "no" on the others. Those I will place on the tree soon.
But for now, nearly 48 hours later, the tree still stands as we left it Monday night. Decorations only going about 2/3 of the way up. Unevenly spaced. No star on top. No garland. Not even a skirt. That will all come soon enough. But in my busy day-to-day meantime, I find I am greatly enjoying the Christmas tree designed by my three cute kids. Maybe perfection isn't all it is cracked up to be.
Scripture of the Day: Luke 2:4-5
The kid decorated trees are the best! That is really what Christmas is all about.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, this is where I confess my extreme control freakiness about the tree. From day one, I have always had one of those practically perfect coordinated designer trees. Therefore, no room for little kids messing it up. It is one of my big sins and to this day, I pretty much do it all myself. The Little Guy might still be young enough that he will want to help (and I will let him) but the older ones know better. (creeping off to repent . . ) word verifier: copping--as in, am I copping out?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you all the way on this post. Our tree has been sitting since Monday with 6 ornaments and no treeskirt, star, garland, etc. I really need to get moving on that. I love your idea about separating the keepsake, breakable ornaments from the kid-friendly ones.
ReplyDelete