Department Store Christmas Tree

I have always had a sliver of desire to watch as Christmas trees in stores are decorated.  I find myself in our local flower shop noting details and trying to figure out how to transform my tree at home into such a work of art.  After a detailed google search and some related "pins", I set out to do it myself. 
-I started by dragging our 8 foot, prelit tree from the basement piece by piece, plugged it in and immediately began assessing the lighting situation.  After removing a strand or three of lights, a trip to the store to replace them, and several curse words later, we had an erect, shapely, somewhat universally lit representation of the live trees that we had growing up and that admittedly, I miss dearly.  It leans a little to the left, but its positioned in front of our picture window where passers by would easily be able to adore my new work of art upon completion.
-Next I collected the newly purchased ornaments that I had selected, all in coordinating colors and shapes.  I couldn't ignore the rubbermaid tote that housed our collection of ornaments that previously been accumulating, so I lugged it up the stairs as well. 
-I opened the tote so I could start selecting ornaments and wanted to choose a few that were less breakable, you know, for the kids to add to the tree.  I have a three-year-old helper now, who was very much interested in this process.  In no time, I found myself taking out ornaments one by one and telling him a story about each one.  I tried to pick a few favorites, but each piece in that box tells a story. . . and I love it.  Here are a few of my favorites:

• a toothpick bordered pentagon with a chubby-cheeked picture of Logan. . . I mean Dale that's been adorning the Christmas tree for over thirty years
• a two inch embroidery hoop with a felt Christmas tree stitched carefully in place by a likely-then-seven year old Michelle
• a Precious Moments boy with the date of Dale's confirmation documented carefully on the back, representative of the detail his mom paid in choosing his ornament each year  Many milestones are represented on the tree (baby's first, daddy's first, our engagement, wedding, and our first home).  Thanks to our families for helping acknowlege these special moments in our life.  I love remembering them each year at Christmas.  There are also ornaments that give away our secrets (apparently someone who lives here likes chocolate. . . a lot!) Someone is a musician, and someone at one time or another bore a nickname that resembled Chewbacca.
• a ceramic gift package with the bow painted red and "DALE LEE" painted on the front and To Dale From Lori, 1977 written on the back  At Christmastime and always we cherish memories and stories.
• a silver painted ball that I brought back after enjoying a medical meeting in sunny Honolulu in December
• the Hallmark "sisters" ornament from 2007 that is fashioned of Chrismtas bulbs and frazzled garland  It is perhaps the ugliest thing I have ever seen, but it makes me smile to acknowlege that when things are frazzled and ugly I am the most grateful for a best friend who's also my sister.
• a wooden ornament that is carefully inked with magic marker   This was made by my niece, Madi and triggered memories of Sell Christmas weekend at our starter home in Omaha.  We had  so much fun!  Sleeping bags were strewn nearly everywhere and I'm sorry Deb, but I can't help but recall those awesome spectacles you got to wear after your Lasik surgery. 

Perhaps I am most sentimental about adding the likes of Winnie the Pooh, cup"Kates", Towmater, and John Deere tractors to the ranks.  These little guys symbolize our growing and changing family, and the excitment and wonderment of children at Christmas.  I've caught Logan sitting next the tree on a few occasions, reading stories with Curious George who now hangs on a branch near the bottom of the tree. 

For 2012, the tree is assembled, some of the lights will probably fizzle out, the lean to the left will likely only become more exaggerated and at some point I would not be surprised if the whole thing comes crashing to the ground.  Certainly we will pick it back up, put things back together, and move on.  This is how we roll. We're not perfect or coordinated to put together, but we're comprised of memories and stories and we're making new ones every day.  So if its okay with you, please don't expect a department store Christmas tree at my house this year.