When I was a kid we always had a fake tree because my brother had allergies and real ones made him sneeze. It was filled with ornaments that had been given to us or we made in Sunday School. It looked a little Charlie Brown, if you know what I mean.
My best friend had the perfect tree. Her mom was an interior decorator and the tree was filled with coordinating balls and bows. There were no hand-made ornaments on this tree, it was perfect.
I looked forward to growing up and having my own tree, so I could have a perfect tree too. With coordinating decorations and ribbons streaming from the top, my tree was going to be beautiful.
And it is…
My tree, filled with all its hand-made paper ornaments and hand-me downs is beautiful. Beautiful, because every single decoration on the tree tells a story. The story of my life with the happier husband and our family. It is another chapter in Our Story.
It is a real tree, because we don’t “do” fake trees around here. Christmas season in our house begins with selecting the perfect tree, and we all must agree. This is the first year we have not had the decorated tree fall. I consider that a milestone.
White lights, because I like white.
The ornaments. Each one brings back a memory, a story, as they are hung on the tree. We share laughter and occasional tears as we unwrap each one and hang them on the tree. Before you think we are a sentimental family, the tears are usually from a broken ornament, not memories. 🙂
The anchor my son made for my husband one year.
The BIG ball, that does a great job of covering the bare spot on the tree. Because all perfect trees have bare spots.
The ballerina my daughter received when she was taking ballet.
Scary Santa.
One of the few ornaments that remain from our very first Christmas tree. We didn’t have any much money for ornaments, so I made them.
And of course, all of the ornaments that decorate the floor around the tree. For 16 years we have had little ones who love to decorate and un-decorate the tree.
Instead of elaborate decorations we stick with Fisher-price 
and Playmobil 
around here. There will come a day when there will be no one to set up the Little People Nativity or open the Playmobil Advent Calendar.
I know this because I blinked.
And this little girl grew up…
I’m not ready to blink again…
Enjoy your perfect Christmas this year.
Visit The Nester and Kelly for more of the Christmas Tour of Homes.
Nancy M. says
Your tree is beautiful! I still have a Charlie Brown kind of tree, it’s a little sparse, lol. But the floor around mine, looks just like yours. My youngest takes the ornaments off and the oldest puts them back on. I figure one day when they are grown, I can decorate the tree the way I want it, until then, it’s all them!
Jamie says
Toni, this post made me teary-eyed! Love the tree, and I truly believe handmade ornaments are created with Christmas magic. I have three little ones, ages 3, 2, and almost 1. I cannot wait to cover our tree with their wonderful creations. But like you, I am afraid of blinking.
Gina says
Well, last Christmas Eve we spent together at a lovely pizza hut in Gaithursburg…and we hardly said two words to each other because we didn’t know each other! I’m sure this year we would have talked each other’s ears off…only you’re in Florida now. such a bummer! I loved seeing your tree and peaking into your Florida home…get that guest room ready!
TheHappyHousewife says
Ahhhh…. don’t remind me! I’m going to miss freezing and eating Pizza! The guest room is ready and waiting… come on down. Did I tell you I live only a few minutes from Starbucks and Panera? We could walk…. 🙂
Elizabeth says
Ahhhhh! You blinked, and I balled. Literally, tears streaming down my face. What a mess! The realization that I’m going to blink and be right where you are. :/ I must be over-tired. Alas, such is the natural progression of things. I do so enjoy having the little blessings around. Thanks for sharing your beautiful tree! I pray you guys have a wonderful Christmas celebration!! Miss you guys!
TheHappyHousewife says
Trust me, I know. I found that picture from all those years ago and after I got over how skinny I was, I realized that my little girl isn’t so little anymore….
Miss you all! I think you need a Florida vacation this winter! 🙂
Somebody's Mimi says
Tears and love. Your family tree has always been beautiful and full of happiness. I love the memories you are making. AND YOU ARE STILL SKINNY!!! 🙂
Kathy says
You were little, I blinked and you were grown, I blinked and then you were gone. I blinked again and oldest was born and is now almost grown. Thanks for sharing your Christmas in pictures and in words. I love you Toni!
Rachel R. says
Growing up, we had fairly nice Christmas’s … though at the time, I didn’t think so. I saw glorious to the ceiling trees in windows, and piles of just what I wanted talked about when we returned to school … that’s the way I would do it when I grew up. Decorations everywhere.
I’ve been married for 20 years. Our first tree was a scrawny little 9 inch thing with 2 presents – one for me, and one for Dh. And things haven’t gotten much better. For the 3rd year in a row, there is no money to buy for our kids, let alone our family and friends – numbering over 50 people I would LOVE to buy for. … Don’t get me wrong, my kids will have plenty given to them from the relatives and friends at church, most know that Dh still doesn’t have a job … but
we put up the straggly tree filled with ornaments full of memories. We decorate a tiny corner of our tiny home. One of our friends this year, looked at the girls wish lists, and looked for things at garage sales from their lists – they will have stuff to open on Christmas morning, and I was on the verge of tears when they brought it all over. It might not be new or fancy … but it is just what we needed and wanted.
Looking back – we had pretty good Christmas’s … watching my kids, they are happy, well adjusted, and they don’t pine after better things. They have a strong spirit of giving. And isn’t it the giving that Christmas is about? What God gave to us?
Lynda says
I am the third child in a family of eight kids. Thankfully my Dad had a job but did not make a great deal of money and we had no insurance for many years. There was one year when money was extra tight & each of us received one toy from Santa & my Mom knit us each a pair of slippers. Best Christmas ever! Sure there were things we all would’ve liked to receive but we were satisfied & thankful that we received anything. Besides, we wouldn’t have played with lots of other things for long any way. You know how when you take something out of a box & all the kid wants to play with is the box! It’s not what you give or receive but the love in which a gift is given is what really matters.
Jennifer says
Ohh… that is the perfect tree! And I know just what it means because our tree isn’t a theme, it is filled with ornaments that each tell a story! Filled with memories. That is what matters most.
Heather (The Menu Mama) says
I can definitely relate to this post, my kids are still little, so there has been a lot of “undecorating” and breaking of the ornaments this year. But I just laugh because a) most of my ornaments are inexpensive and easily replaced and b) I know that in not too long I will be wishing I still had little ones around to make the tree look not quite so perfect.
Joyce says
I have a perfect tree too. It is much like yours. And I have tried not to blink but mine have gone and grown up anyway. Sigh.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Shirley Dunn says
The “Charlie Brown” Christmas trees are the best – they have the best stories and memories. While the other trees are beautiful to look at – they don’t really tell a story like the ones with the handmade ornaments!
Mary says
Very nice – thanks for sharing 🙂
Brittny says
Beautiful tree full of memories. Our tree as a kid was a little of both, we had the handmade ornaments and my mom always wrapped it in beautiful ribbon. My current tree is a Charlie Brown for sure, a little sparse, full of handmade, and more ornaments on the ground than the tree. But the kids are 3 and 1 and as chaotic and messy as it is now, I know they will be grown in the blink of an eye, so I try not to care. Beautiful post, Merry Christmas!
kristi says
ok, you just made me cry with this post. *sigh* i remember wanting that “perfect” tree too. now i look forward to decorating our tree and going through all the memories my decorations contain. for us, there are memories of trips taken, family traditions, and friends. since my 1st niece was born i started a tradition that every year the kids get an ornament with their gift. that way, when they leave home, they will have ornaments to take with them that will remind them of their family, no mater where they spend christmas.