D06 -- Christmas Trees

Back in the day, up until the age of six or seven, my family purchased a real tree to decorate at Christmastime. I remember quite clearly how the chosen tree would have to be propped in a corner, and we were always told, "GET AWAY FROM THERE! YOU'LL KNOCK IT OVER!!!"

I spent my time gazing at the multicolored lights from afar.

I also remember covering the tree in lots of silver tinsel. Mom hated it. She would be picking up tinsel well into the new year.

As we grew up, I suppose that live Christmas trees became more expensive. For many years, we had an artificial tree, about four feet tall. It sat in the living room bay window. On top, there was a lighted star that would blink on and off. (One year, it quit working, and my mom searched everywhere to find another star like it. She complained for days until she found one.) I do remember, however, begging my parents one year to get a real tree. I think I was either in high school or college. They agreed and it was fun to go back to the "good old days."

Now our family has a 6-ft. artificial tree. It's just easier to deal with and we don't have as much to clean up after the holidays. We reuse the tree year after year. DD will probably never know the excitement of having a live tree.

But that's perfectly all right by me. At least I won't have to yell at her constantly: "GET AWAY FROM THERE! YOU'LL KNOCK IT OVER!!!" because she loves to touch and look at all the ornaments.