One Guarantee: Evergreen Will Lean

Christmas trees are such a lovely tradition. They bring a bit of wonderment and magic into our homes. There is something about our tree this year that is particularly beautiful. I am not sure if it’s the shape, the fullness or merely the tiny colored lights reflecting off dozens of memory-filled ornaments. Maybe it’s just because it’s standing. In our house, sometimes that’s a major accomplishment. Our trees are noted for giving us formidable challenges, teaching us the art of compromise and giving us years of delightful memories.

This year’s tree is a long way from our first little Christmas tree 34 years ago. That was truly a Charlie Brown tree. It was about 4 feet tall with about eight branches. The stand, even though it held only a tea cup worth of water, was too large for the tree’s tiny trunk. Blocks of wood had to be pressed against the trunk so the pegs reached something solid.

Over the years, the trees got taller and wider. There still weren’t many branches, but that was OK. One year, when our boys were very small, we decided to make a day of it and go into the mountains to chop down our own tree. The picture was perfect - mom, dad, kids, the dog, a bag of potato chips and an ax. It was freezing and wet. The snow came up to the kids’ waists and the dog kept running away with their mittens. We searched that day in vain. There wasn’t even a decent Charlie Brown tree to be had. Although our spirits were dimming, we weren’t going to leave without our tree. And then, there it was: the nearly perfect Christmas tree.

We got it home, decorated it and watched as all the needles fell off four days later. “Come on kids, let’s go get a Christmas tree from the corner lot.”

We even went through the tree-flocking phase, a task I discovered was best handled by professionals. By the time I had finished blowing the white stuff through our vacuum, I had not only flocked the tree, but I’d flocked the entire garage and everything in it, including myself. To this day, the vacuum spits out pieces of white fuzz.

As the trees got taller and thicker so did the challenges. Yes, we, too, had a tree fall over totally decorated. Once something like that happens, paranoia sets in. Out comes the hammer, nails, tacks, wire, fish line and bungees. We’ve secured trees to the windows, walls, the ceiling and to the curtain rods. (We’ve yet to resort to nailing it to the floor, but never say never.) And what is it about Christmas trees that no matter how you shift, pull and push them, they still lean? A stack of National Geographics and a large tree skirt are as much a part of our tree decorations as the lights and ornaments.

Tree lights have also changed over the years. As a child, I remember plump little colored lights that got very hot. There were also strings of bright, pointed lights and bubble lights. All three types can still be purchased but with a few modifications. The little plump lights now burn cool. The pointed lights look just like the old sets except the colored points are detachable plastic covers that fit over standard minilights. And yes, bubble lights are still in fashion, not to mention large icicle lights and lights that resemble grapes, pine cones and M&Ms.

We use the end-to-end, multi-colored miniature lights on our tree. The actual method used in stringing lights on the tree should be discussed prior to marriage, along with squeezing the toothpaste tube and the raising of children. Do you string the lights on the inside or outside of the tree? And do you start at the top and work down or the bottom and work up? Jim found a compromise. He starts at the bottom and works the lights in and out so that there are plenty of lights to satisfy us both.

One other point for compromise: is it a star, angel or some other special ornament that tops the tree? Jim’s family always had an angel, my family always had a star. Thirty-four years ago we found an inexpensive little angel with bright yellow hair and an angelic smile. She still stands atop our tree, only today she wears a new dress.

Following the lights are the memories - 34 years of ornaments. There is a mangled astronaut whose helmet was smashed during a wild ride on a falling tree. He was purchased in 1968 when our first son was born and the first American walked in space. There are ornaments that remind us of stories surrounding our children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, friends, anniversaries and vacations.

Around the base of the tree are all the ornaments that the boys made in elementary school. At the center of the tree in a place of prominence, Husky and Cougar ornaments start out side-by-side. It won’t be long before both ornaments disappear into the depths of the branches, not to emerge until the tree comes down. Our feud between six Huskies and two Cougars has been going on for six years.

Once the ornaments are hung, 4-inch white silk poinsettias are placed here and there among the branches. There was once a time when the finishing touches for the tree included boxes upon boxes of silver tinsel, painstakingly hung one strand at a time. Now we finish the tree with a few dozen clear plastic icicles.

Whether it be perfect or a Charlie Brown, every tree we’ve had has helped fill our home with warmth and memories.

From our home to yours, may your Christmas be filled with love and beautiful memories.