Is it tasteful? Is it maybe all blue and silver, with perfectly matched ornaments and perfectly spaced trimming? Do you buy new ornaments every year in order to achieve perfection? Do you care that your friends and relatives are loud in their admiration of such a perfect Christmas tree?
Well, I am sorry, but that is not a real Christmas tree.
A real Christmas tree has ornaments with a history. They are brought out year after year as part of the traditions and the specialness of Christmas.
For me, there are the very cheap ones that I bought when there was no money to spare. Papery, and few survive, but some do, and I use them.
There are the half dozen balls made as a craft item by my sister-in-law. That was around 20 years ago. They may be perfect, (or close to it,) but they are not mass produced. They are special.
There are the more fancy and usually expensive ones, bought in post Christmas sales. By the time I could afford to buy them at full price, they were not needed.
There is the peace dove, a necessity for every Christmas tree. I have scolded that one when I brought it out these past few years - he has not been doing a very good job!
Then there are are the few that represent some aspects of my life - a tiny gold coloured guitar for my husband, for instance.
And the very best ones are the ones made by the children at school, full of imperfections and sometimes not that decorative. They should be used until they fall to bits. They are a part of you and a part of your Christmas.
Christmas Trees are not meant to be tasteful. They are meant to be individual and they are meant to reflect yourself and your life. They are a part of the traditions and the specialness of Christmas, different for every one of us.
This is our Christmas tree. It is not perfect. Even the photograph is not perfect.
There has been some traumas in my life this past year. I even wondered if I had the will to put the tree up this year.
I am glad I did. I may have been somewhat depressed. But I smile whenever I glance at it.
It is Christmas, and this is our Christmas tree. It belongs to myself and my husband.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
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