Traditions with the Tree

In our family, we have a tradition - the tree goes up right after Thanksgiving. Decorating the tree is one of my most favorite holiday traditions. This is how it goes...

1. The Hottie pieces the tree together

(yes, we have a fake tree. A Costco special. We love it. But, I do miss picking out the perfect tree each and every year.)

2. The Hottie locates the Christmas boxes.

3. We put in Christmas Vacation...can't decorate the tree without this favorite Christmas movie.

4. I unwrap every Christmas ornament as the Cuties and the Hottie scoop them up to find a perfect location on the tree.

5. The Star on the top completes the tree.

6. We finish the movie and admire the tree.

This year, the Hottie wanted the job of unwrapping the ornaments. So, the Cuties and I did most of the decorating. Once the middle and the bottom of the tree were looking mighty festive - we needed the Hottie's help for top. So...we switched tasks. I love unwrapping the ornaments. Something about unwrapping each one brings back memories of every single ornament....where did we get it? how long ago? was it made? awwww....LOVE IT!!

Growing up - our tree was filled with an eclectic assortment of ornaments. All different, many homemade, many crafted at school with beads and construction paper and pictures. I remember thinking how when I had my own tree it would be beautiful with matching ornaments....just spectacular. And, now many years later, although those matching trees are beautiful - nothing beats our own very eclectic, some homemade, some school crafted tree. Every ornament has a meaning and I love it.

When the Hottie and I were married we worried about what ornaments our tree would have. The first year we had about 12 ornaments, many of which were decorations we saved from my bridal shower. Today...the ornaments are plentiful and I love it.

Before the decorating begins...

Our tree is very athletic, but of course we have a favorite team...

But, we don't play favorites - you just won't see us with a Yankees ornament!

Gotta love the home team and my Alma mater...

Some of our collection...

Some that were gifts...

Some that the Hottie made as a kid...with a little Celtic flare...

Some with our first "child"...

Some school crafted favorites...

One that has a special meaning to Bryan and his late Grandfather...

One of our favorites...a wedding gift...

One that although it is several years old, takes a whole new meaning this year...

Some personalized faves...

We don't have many traditional "ball type" ornaments, but this is one of our favorites...

Some that are not really ornaments at all, but bridal shower packaging decor...I received tons of these at my shower and have saved two that we use as ornaments...(our first year - the tree was FILLED with these)

And, of course a snapshot of the empty tissue paper after unwrapping all the ornaments...(I guess I'm a little neurotic, but are you really that surprised?)

Finally, the Cuties proud of their tree...

I will say that this year was surprisingly and uncharacteristically calm. No crying fits and lots of smiles. The Cuties must be getting older.

How I love this season.