Decorating a Christmas Tree

Trixie
Decorating a Christmas tree
When Mark and I came across this beautiful log home for sale, we knew it was the prefect house for our family, so we bought it. The home had a 24 foot cathedral ceiling in the living room, and the couple that was selling the home offered to leave their 12 foot artificial fir Christmas tree. My husband agreed and said, “I bet it really looks nice all decorated.” Little did Mark realize that he would soon know, he should have said no thank you! Once we moved into our new home, decorating the 12’ fir Christmas tree became a tradition that bought the family together at the beginning of the holiday season, and sadly for Mark, I turned into the “Christmas Tree Lady From Hell.”
The first step for decorating the tree is carrying it up from the basement and taking off the plastic cover. Using the vacuum cleaner, I clean the dust off of the tree. Once that is done, we put the tree together as we place it in heavy metal Christmas tree stand. To decorate the tree, we move it close to where it’s going to stay and go upstairs to dig out all the decorations. It takes two ladders one on each side of the tree, to place the decorations appropriately. That’s when all the real decorating fun begins.
The first thing I require is that all the branches must be bent into place, starting from the top down. They need to be cautions doing this because after so many years of bending the branches to form a beautifully tree, the metal has started to weaken. Mark and my kids have to make sure each branch curves in the perfect position before I allow them to move onto the next step.
Once I am satisfied that the tree branches are prefect, I begin directing them as how to put the lights on. Because of the numerous strands of lights required to cover the tree, I always buy extra lights at the after Christmas sales. As we take the lights out of the boxes, the family groans because I make them check each light strand. As they begin putting on the lights, I stand back and make sure that done of the same color lights are too close together. Once that job is accomplished, its time for everyone to take a break because I may have driven them a little nuts.
If I can get them back on their feet again, it is time to start putting on the garland; I always check the garland to make sure there are no bare spots. It’s always best to have extra garland on hand, just in case of damage over the years. If it checks out ok, they can start hanging the garland from the top of the tree and hand it to each other around the tree making sure all the loops are the same. If it doesn’t look right, I have a ruler handy so I can measure all the gaps. As soon as this is done, my husband says it is time for a drink before the next step.
When the time comes to put on the ornaments, my family doesn’t really seem to mind as much. As we gently take them out of the boxes, I can hear the comments my kids are makeing. Every year my children Natasha and Kyle would receive an ornament from their grandma. When she got to where she couldn’t afford to do it anymore I took over buying them. In addition I bought ornaments for my grandchildren. These ornaments have special meaning behind each one. I try to buy ones that relates to something that they have accomplished for that year. This has become a family tradition that can be passed down from generation to generation.
Because the ornaments are so dear to the family we carefully separate them by color, and style. Each ornament has to be dusted; now the fun begins. I require the ornaments to be hung so none of the same colors are together. We strategically place them on the tree. As soon as that’s completed I look the tree over thoroughly to make sure the colors and style of ornaments doesn’t clash with each other. It’s time for another break; I sometimes think my husband is union. The hardest part is over; all we have left to do is to place the bows on the tree. Next we hang the bows which have a special memory for me. My mom bought them for our first Christmas celebration at our house. We take them out of the boxes where they were stored. Each has to be straightened so they look like a perfectly shaped bow. We place one bow at a time on the tree making sure none over lap each other. It is important to be careful not too have them too close together, so as not to cover up the ornaments and lights. After that if I am satisfied that the bows are properly hung right, we can do the final steps.
The last step to make the tree perfect is placement of the angel. She’s the most important part of the decorations. I take her out of the box and smooth her dress, wiping the dust off. Then I hand her to my husband at the top of the ladder who’s been waiting for this final step. He places the angel at the right angle where she can face the front of the room watching over everybody enjoying their day.
Finally its time to for us to scoot the decorated tree into place, and I can lay the beautiful tree skirt beneath the tree, to hide the cords. Now my husband and kids are free so I can finish the rest on my own. Now out comes the tiny village and as I clean it I make sure all the lights work. At this point I set the lighted village in order beneath the tree. After that the model train is cleaned and placed under the tree and around the village. In my eyes the tree is perfect.
Decorating the Christmas tree at my house can sometimes drive everybody a little crazy. My husband always makes the comment that he can’t wait until we get ready to sell our home to a younger couple so we can pass down the Christmas tree. No matter how annoying I can be putting up the tree it seems to bring us together as a family to decorate it. When the tree is decorated, we turn on the tree lights, the village, and watch the train travel around the tree. Immediately my family knows that it’s worth all the headaches I put them through. Now we can breathe a little lighter and sit around the fireplace and enjoy our hard work.