I never had a Christmas Tree at home. NEVER. My parents didn't have the money nor the space to afford a Christmas Tree and they thought it was quite unnecessary to purchase one.
But my most vivid childhood memory about Christmas was the beautiful Christmas Tree at one of my cousin's house. He lived quite far away from us and we drove for about 2 hours to spend our Christmas dinner at his home. The whole family gathered at his house that year (we had a tradition to spend the day at different houses each year).
Not all my relatives lived in the same city so Christmas was a very special time of the year when we get to see everybody: grand parents, all the uncles and aunts and cousins! I don't remember what we ate nor the presents I received but I remember two things the most: the joy of seeing everybody and the Christmas Tree (if there was one).
The tree was the first thing I noticed when I entered the living room. It was so BIG! Well maybe the tree wasn't that big but I was a child back then so to me it was HUGE! It was decorated with the usual green and red lights and many shiny ornaments. All the Christmas presents were placed at the bottom of the tree and my brother and I were in awe of such a sight.
I remember how we gathered around that tree and basically spent the whole day playing games in the living room. My cousins were all around the same age so we got along really well.
As a mother, I wanted to create a little bit of that magic for my children and their cousins to enjoy. I didn't intend to buy a big Christmas tree because I just don't have that much space in my home so a little tree was probably the best option!
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| This is the Christmas Tree set up at the Apartment's Club House |
I never had a Christmas Tree at home. NEVER. My parents didn't have the money nor the space to afford a Christmas Tree and they thought it was quite unnecessary to purchase one.
But my most vivid childhood memory about Christmas was the beautiful Christmas Tree at one of my cousin's house. He lived quite far away from us and we drove for about 2 hours to spend our Christmas dinner at his home. The whole family gathered at his house that year (we had a tradition to spend the day at different houses each year).
Not all my relatives lived in the same city so Christmas was a very special time of the year when we get to see everybody: grand parents, all the uncles and aunts and cousins! I don't remember what we ate nor the presents I received but I remember two things the most: the joy of seeing everybody and the Christmas Tree (if there was one).
The tree was the first thing I noticed when I entered the living room. It was so BIG! Well maybe the tree wasn't that big but I was a child back then so to me it was HUGE! It was decorated with the usual green and red lights and many shiny ornaments. All the Christmas presents were placed at the bottom of the tree and my brother and I were in awe of such a sight.
I remember how we gathered around that tree and basically spent the whole day playing games in the living room. My cousins were all around the same age so we got along really well.
As a mother, I wanted to create a little bit of that magic for my children and their cousins to enjoy. I didn't intend to buy a big Christmas tree because I just don't have that much space in my home so a little tree was probably the best option!
But then my hopes for even the smallest Christmas Tree were dashed away when we had to unexpectedly change the tires of the car along with some oil change, car alignment, etc. The whopping $1,500 bill sent my Christmas plans down the drain and I had to make changes.
At first I was a little bummed but past the initial shock, I must say I don't think the Christmas Tree matters much. My childhood's happy moments were made possible thanks to my loving parents and the fun time I had with my cousins. The Christmas tree was only an object that symbolized this but still an object and not the actually source of happiness.
I won't have a Christmas Tree this year but I have my darling little children and my sweet husband, my adorable nephews and kind relatives. I don't think I could ask for more!
Do you have a big Christmas Tree at home? Does your family have a tradition with Christmas Tree ornaments and decorations?
Jane,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. It reminds me of what Christmas is really about...the memories of spending time with your family playing games & the new memories we create each year. It's not about the decorations or "things"
To answer your question, yes we do have a Christmas tree at my house. My brother passed away in 1993 after a long illness & one year prior to his death my mother said she didn't want a tree because my brother was sick. He got really upset and said, you mean you won't have a tree when I am not here anymore? That would really upset me. I have had a tree ever since...it's small, & filled with hand me down ornaments, but it sits proud nonetheless.
Merry Christmas!
Lisa
Sorry about your brother! I think it's nice you keep on the tradition. I believe our loved ones would want us to live in good spirits and with loving traditions of the past. And the hand me down ornaments are the best for they carry so much history with them :)
DeleteHi Jane Cherie! Thanks for sharing. I have a tiny (one foot high) living tree that sits on my dining room table. I got the tree at Trader Joe's for $6.99, and I should be able to use it for a few years (until it grows too big). The tree has all tiny ornaments. Some are from my grandmother, some are from my childhood, some are from thrift stores, and some were made by me. I love looking at the tree while eating my meals. It brings a festive energy to our home without being over-the-top. Your clubhouse Christmas tree is lovely--it's nice that they provide that, so you don't have to! :-) xo Jennifer
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about getting a tiny tree too... but my counterspace and table space is already crowded at the moment. But I love your idea of using a live tree and have it with you as it grows. That's actually a very good way of using the same tree each year :)
DeleteYes I do have a tree and I enjoy it a lot because my grandchildren love it. The have a tree at home but because I have been collecting items for it since my first child was born it has a Lot of memories on it :) All of my Grandchildren were here today ( my youngest one was 2 today) and watching the two youngest finding little items that their Moms bought or made for me was wonderful. I now also have items on it that the 2 older boys (6 and 7) made for me :)))
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your memories.
Hugs Maria
Hello Maria! Thank you sharing your story! Creating happy memories is exactly what I wanted to do with a Christmas tree! I think I'll start it next year :)
DeleteHello Jane,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. The clubhouse Christmas tree is beautiful!
I don't have a traditional Christmas tree. It so happens I have part of an elderflower tree in my house. A tree in your house you ask?, yes... I have a tree in my house, all the time. Not just at Christmas :-) So this limits the space somewhat and at Christmas it takes on the role of Christmas tree. Some of the decorations go way back and carry old memories, others were bought to start new memories.
Hugs,
Veronique
Hello Veronique! It is somewhat fantastic that you have such a tree in your house! I think it's wonderful you can have it inside all year long! You must have a green thumb (I say that because I can't grow anything!)!
DeleteHey Jane Cherie, I am sorry the Christmas plans got a bit dashed, that is always the way for us around Christmas season..when it rains it pours, trouble..and now snows it with my broken shovel ;P
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have been together for 16 years, but we only really started the tree tradition when my daughter was one... It was our first Christmas ornament "Babies first Christmas"
After cutting down trees for a few years we decided to buy the fake the prelit tree, its much easier to place and then my daughter can have at it. Also some fresh cut trees can cost double that of a realistic fake tree..so the choice became very easy ;P
I just light a pine scent candle *lol*
I wish all the best to you and your family this holiday season!
Hugs!
I didn't know there is a pine scent candle! I'll have to find that! When I was shopping for Christmas Trees (pre-car ordeal), I was so lost as there are so many choices of trees! But I was concerned too about baby being a bit too young and might try to chew the tree down. I might just take your route and pick the pre-lit fake tree to make things easier (for next year!).
DeleteMy husband and I always put up a Christmas tree, even while we are here in Japan. At home, in the States, we put up an artificial, full size tree, covered with family ornaments. Here in Japan, we brought my little tree and hang little balls on it. We love twinkling lights and how the balls reflect the light. It really puts us in the holiday mood.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I love about Christmas trees. They do add that extra sparkle :) How sweet it is that you have your own Christmas tree even in Japan!
DeleteI'm from Sweden, and I believe every one has a Christmas tree here, real or fake, big or small =) We had real Christmas trees when I was younger, but we quickly switched to a fake, plastic tree, mush easier for my mum to handle =) and cheaper. But we have always decorated a tree for Christmas, real or fake =)
ReplyDeleteThis year we got a real tree for free, so me and my husband are very exited, and our 2-year old loves it =) My husband and daughter decorated it together. I hope we can continue this tradition in the future too, I don't care if its a fake or a real tree, it just have to be a green tree =) We haven't had time to collect that much ornaments yet, but we have some lights and some red"balls".
Hannah
Hi Hannah! Thank you for your comment! You make me want to do it for my children to experience the decorating fun too! I hope next year to make it happen :)
DeleteIts true, the real joy from christmas is time spent together with loved ones! I do believe we've had a Christmas Tree every year, tho they are usually small (we also have a small home). I'm so sorry to hear that you've had car trouble... This post was just absolutely lovely! xoxox
ReplyDeleteThank you Robyn! I will probably go for a small tree as well. Not much space in my flat for a big one!
Delete