Alright fake Christmas tree; its time for you to get out.
It’s officially the end of the first weekend of January and that means all Christmas decorations must go.
Whether you want to be or not, this afternoon you’ll be packed away next to the other junk in my grandmother’s garage for another year.
All except the jingle bells and holly berries from the front door.
Because someone already did that for us!! Seriously, right after Christmas. What a Scrooge! Who would steal a holiday decoration?!
Look, I realize you may be sad but I refuse to turn us into one of those families who still has their Christmas tree up in March. No seriously. I’ve seen them. We won’t talk about them now though. Especially since someone in my family once suffered from that syndrome not too long ago.
Instead I’ll take down the decorations Natalie put up and put them in a box and remember the short holiday season we had with you.
And the fond memories.
It all started with a drive in the middle of December to my grandmother’s house in a slushy ice storm to pick you up from her garage.
You sat in the living room unassembled for a few days. (Neglect!!!!!) Then Miss Nat’s dad and I put you up before she got home from school. Walked her home from school and told her the great news.
Surprise! Promised we wouldn’t forget Christmas! But instead she only cared about the snow/frozen ice on the ground. I promise she didn’t care about that tree behind her on Park Ave. Promise.
Of course, Nat wanted to do a little decorating of her own. She went with me to the pharmacy and picked up blue candy canes in honor of “Mommy’s favorite color blue” and a bunch of silly red drugstore ribbons and then added her advent calendar and some quality decorations given to her since she was a baby. (Long gone are the days where Mama bought hundred dollar ornaments…)
When my mother stopped by on Christmas Eve, Natalie asked her to add a few last minute touches to you. And yes, my mother was probably thinking to herself… “What kinda crazy Christmas tree is this!?!?” But tree, we love you anyway.
On Christmas Morning, Santa did a late delivery (not going there!) so a photo was snapped with presents underneath you before the kiddos saw them.
We took photos (or tried to) on Christmas morning in front of you
Harrison watched the Yule Log and kept you company –
Christmas Day, we took photos next to you when a Santa hat wearing Nana came to visit and deliver gifts.
(But I forgot to take a picture of Grandma Jenny next to you when she showed up because well my mouth hit the floor from shock. But that’s another story.)
Nat did Wii Bowling next to you. You were her witness when she whooped her dad’s pathetic score!
Over the holiday break, Natalie and Luke posed for pictures in front of you –
And on New Year’s Day, Mister Harrison even climbed onto my grandmother’s lap to take a photo next to you.
(Doesn’t Harrison look like the largest toddler ever on my grandmother’s lap!!!)
So Christmas Tree, Mister Fake Spruce, we’ll see you again next year. Same family, just different apartment. You were like family sharing this holiday’s special moments with us. But like family who overstay their welcome during the holiday season.. it’s time for you to go.
Until the adventures of next Christmas season.
—-
Car Song – Come on Eileen (cover) by Save Ferris “You in that dress my thoughts I confess verge on dirty”
Next stop – Kids are back to school in the morning and I’m off to do some in person interviews with a few authors and entrepreneurs. Before I go, I’m getting to the bottom of the confusion between Dylan McDermott and Dermott Mulroney. Because seriously, Rice a Roni and Tenderoni have already caused enough confusion.
Drive Thru Interviews with Kristen Chase of Motherhood Uncensored and Kelly Wickham of Mocha Momma
