O Christmas Tree

I dare you to read the lyrics below and not sing along in your head!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !" 

Knew you couldn't do it--maybe you didn't know all the lyrics, but I bet you knew some of them, and most definitely the melody! Call me crazy, oh yeah I do call myself crazy, but I love a traditional Christmas tree. No themes, no color schemes, just the life of a family all in one place.

I do like white lights, however, that's not what I grew up with. I know there are some  readers who fondly, wait a minute--that's a joke, remember those big fat lights which invariably didn't work. One went out and the whole strand was plunged into darkness. I needn't remind you how unfunny that was.
I used to put red bows all over the tree to make it all the more festive which I no longer do. That said, I still use much the same ornaments as I ever did, many dating back to our first year of marriage. With that in mind, I thought I might just show off a few of my oldies but goodies.

I can't remember if it was Bruce or I who painted this little happy home--a precursor of what was to come. There's no doubt I wouldn't paint one purple and red these days!

It's old and worn, just like the two of us, but still in love!

Bruce's Mom often gave us thoughtful ornaments related to our interests. You can guess who this was for:

And this one:

Her daughter followed suit, each year giving our family ornaments going back to when the children were very young. When I pull them out each year I think about the saying that there's nothing in life not subject to change. The children grow, marriages break up, parents die. All part of life.

On the left is the last ornament Bruce's mom gave us before she died. The star is one my sister-in-law gave us when Matthew was quite young, the red stocking came from who knows where, and the one on the right has a little Gingerbread boy cross stitched on front with David's name. The back has a little tag with love from Aunt Michele and Uncle Paul, 1989. They eventually divorced and Paul has subsequently died an early death. Time passages...

To break the little maudlin spell I've got going, I believe this has got to be the weirdest ornament we have. Purchased maybe from Pier 1, way back when?

It's a tea strainer of all things!

Michele, Bruce's sister, gave us one of my favorites:

Reminding us of the true reason for the season.

During his world travels, Matthew often picks up an ornament for us and this year was no exception. He left behind this sweet little thing from Sweden:

And then there are the ornaments the children made. I'm thinking schools probably ban that activity today?

On the left, the crazy looking little church building, is one Jonathan "made" when he was 4. David, pictured on the tree, was 10. Good grief he looks so adorable and sweet! The soldier below is from, you guessed it, our first Christmas.

Our daughter-in-law Michelle LOVES decorating for Christmas. Before she and David married I can't remember anyone, or at least anyone who admitted to it, leaving the Christmas tree up WAY past December. She and David happily enjoy the tree into January. She also loves giving ornaments, including these sweet ones from their first year of marriage.

It is hard to believe they've just celebrated their third anniversary! And then there are the ornaments I've no idea who gave them to us but I still love them.

I have two of these little cuties and they make me smile every time I see them. So, finally, I've put the boxes in the garage and am done. If my sister Carol were to see my feeble decorating, she'd tell me things weren't festive enough, however, for us, it's enough.

I did have to go back to my last year's Christmas decorating post to remember what the heck I put on the table! So, things are all very festive here. How about your place?

Happy decorating friends,
Gail

p.s. Maybe too close for comfort?: Blog Breakdown