Is your Christmas tree up? Mine is. In fact, I have two.
I put up the usual large tree in the den that will be surrounded by presents. It’s full of colored lights and flashy ornaments of red and green, as well as all the ornaments we have been gifted over the years or that my children and grandchildren have made.
The second tree is a smaller “old fashioned” tree standing proudly in our dining room. It features blue and white ribbon, blue velvet ribbon, pinecones and small wooden discs with blue and white scenes of old days. No lights necessary. I love it.
My mantle is decorated with a display of tiny trees, an old red truck hauling a tree and pulling a little camper, as well as small wooden blocks in the shapes of houses and barns. All this sits behind lush greenery that is threaded with ribbon and beads. Beneath it hangs nine stockings — one for each member of our family.
I find myself not really in the Christmas spirit so much, but find joy in the decorations. And, of course, I love the look of joy on the faces of my grandchildren as they help with decorations going up, or, in the case of our smallest grandbaby, coming down.
It’s a wonderful time of year, and I surely want it to feel magical for them. I hope they will look back and remember these Christmases of their youth with fondness and joy. I might even drop an apple and orange in their stocking this year, to remind me of the Christmases of my youth.
