We didn’t get it up or decorated when we had originally planned to do it, but our Christmas tree is officially ready as of 8:00 last night. Decorating the tree is a traditional thing we do together each year, with Christmas music playing in the background.
It starts with my husband and I putting the tree together. It’s a nice one that is quite realistic looking (and I like it even better because I got a great deal on it one year at an after Christmas sale). Next, my husband checks then strings the lights. We seem to always have trouble with the blinkers, but we had it covered this year. We bought extras to replace them.
After that, I come in with the garlands. When that’s all done, our girls begin adding the regular ornaments. We have lots of the typical glass balls in all sizes and colors, which we have collected over the years. Following those are our special ornaments. We have one for every year since we moved to Arkansas (or for the younger kids, since they were born). They are engraved with our names and the year. Each of the girls has her own for each year, and the ones for my husband and I have both of our names on them. This was a special thing my mom started and we love it.
Our other special ornaments include those with photos, the ones our girls have made over the years, and a commemorative one of a firefighter’s hat with an American flag that says remember 9/11.
After all the special ornaments are in place, we add candy canes and then tinsel. The girls love them but all those little “icicles” sure do make a mess!
When the Christmas tree is completely decorated, we turn off all the lights, and my husband “lights” the tree. We sit and look at it for a moment, in darkness except for the tree lights, with Christmas music floating through the air. It’s a special moment that we look forward to each year.
Do you have any special traditions when it comes to decorating the tree?
Related: Up with the Tree!