Sunday, November 30, 2008

Trim the tree, String the lights!

Little Man has been asking me for the last three weeks when we could put up our Christmas tree. I kept saying, "After Thanksgiving.". Sure enough, he woke up the day after Thanksgiving, rolled out of bed and said, "Now? Can we put it up now?!"

Sigh.

So, up to the attic I go dragging down box after box of holiday trim and decor. My first job out of college was working as a Showroom Manager in the World Trade Center, so over the years I accumulated a lot of junk, I mean decorations, at wholesale prices. Like this Christmas tree, for example. It's a 6 foot tree, because 20 years ago when I bought it I was living in apartments. Now, I wish I had an 8 foot tree. But I already have the lights strung so every year all I have to do is plug it in. Too cheap and too lazy to buy a new one.


I also collect ornaments from my travels. I like a messy tree with multi-colored lights. Hodge podge ornaments on the tree that Little Man made in pre-school from baked clay or from my childhood. Gimme a big 'ole holiday mess. I love it. I hate themed trees all done up in, say, blue and silver. YUK. I like icicles hanging off and tinsel all askew.

You can see, to the left on top of the TV console, my Santa collection. I stole this idea from my friend, Molly, years ago. These are illuminated, plastic, Santa decorations from the 1960's and 1970's. You can find them on eBay or in Antique shops. Mostly under $20 so they are inexpensive to collect. I have about 30 of them. It's becoming more and more difficult to find styles I don't already have. Click on the photo to enlarge it for a truer appreciation of my little guys.

Well, at least that task is done and now I can enjoy my holiday handi-work for the next 30 days. Now, I gotta go shopping and get some presents to go under the tree...