We got a Christmas tree on Saturday, a real one. It's plump, green, and full with short spiky bristles. It's not taller than my husband. I put the star on myself. All I had to do to reach the top was go on my tippy-toes, no chair lugging or climbing necessary. No doubt about it, there was an empowered little, short woman in the house this weekend.
I didn't get too much farther than putting the star on for decorations. I did, with painstaking care, string the lights around. the tree Which lights have already been moved to a ridiculous unevenness twelve times over by my whirling dervish the Little Linebacker. I tried putting some dum-dums on the tree by twisting wire around the base of the sucker and then hooking the wire over branches. The kids thought that might be fun and it made me feel so inventive. But after I got a few on CPT Kindergarten said, "Why is our tree ugly Mom?" Strike one for Saint Madre the Creative.
As I thought what else we could do CPT Kindergarten suggested we put toys on the tree. Little Linebacker had fun driving a truck or two through the lower branches. But most of the toys didn't stay on for long because they were needed to participate in vivid stories being co-painted by CPT Kindergarten and Sidekick Sister. Strike two.
When the neighbor kids came over to make some cut-out cookies with us, CPT Kindergarten's girlfriend, or friend girl more appropriately, found the ornaments we used on the tree last year, most of which I'd already used to hang from the ceiling this year. She brought out what was left and went about hanging them on the tree with more initiative than you'd expect from your average five year old. The problem for me in her plan was that I really like having the ornaments hanging from the ceiling and I think it would be overkill to hang the same ornaments from the ceiling that I hang from the tree. Besides, our spinning top of a Linebacker knocked down all of neighbor girl's work except for one little, red ball trying hard not to be noticed on a bottom branch of the tree. Strike three.
So I think decorating is out. I think a tree with a star and lights is perfect. I'm so completely into simple (mostly because I can't do complicated - story of my life folks). All I want for Christmas is a live, smelly green thing in my living room anyway. That, for me is happiness.
I might have hit upon the perfect idea. I might even start a new minimalist Christmas tree fad. There's just one hitch. CPT Kindergarten looked at our scantily clad tree today and asked me, "Mom, why is our tree ugly?"
4 comments:
I was all about doing a minimalist Christmas this year until Hank made a remark to my daughter, who lives far, far away, that let me know minimalist will never do around here. Sigh.
I love the tree :)
Thank you! Your husband and my son must share the same type of Christmas tree gene.
It was such a relief to read this, Jess! I almost didn't even put a tree up this year. It is up and there are six ornaments and candy canes hanging on the top third of the tree. The boys were hanging bubble wrap and stuffed animals on the lower branches. I'm pretty sure if their vocabulary was advanced enough they'd be calling our tree ugly, too. But, after seeing your photos of ornaments hanging from the ceiling I stole the idea and hung some from the curtain rods that are behind the Christmas tree, and then wrapped the rods with the red ribbon that usually goes on the tree. And, you know what, I think it's perfect for our current stage!
"Why is our tree ugly?" I can't stop laughing!!
p.s. I don't think it's ugly, and I would love to have a real tree. You're funny and creative.
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