After seeing a few posts of Christmas tree pictures, my friend of 40 years, Cabindweller, was asking when I was going to post a picture of my Christmas tree on DG. Well, here it is. It has a collection of "stuff" from 47 years of holidays past. Fortunately, the grandkids are now at an age where they love to do most of the decorating!
A little closer to show a bit more detail.....
We just got the tree today. We had a snowstorm (not much by 'snowstorm' standards but a lot here in NC) So I brought it in and all the ice started to melt (it didn't look like THAT much was on the tree) and the water flowed.......so out it went to drip dry. I thought you might like to meet "Madame." My brother (who thinks he is clever) sent her to me for my birthday two years ago..... I hang her in the house all year (I "showed" him...(or he showed me......) anyway, she sits under the tree. What lips......
Here is the 'ghost' my son made about 28 years ago... it is started to disintegrate. I am in a panic about it... It is my most favorite 'ornament." Graces the top of the tree every year. What to do...what to do... How to prevent a regular old Kleenex from falling apart..
MountainG - here is the whole tree from last year since this is in keeping with your thread. The blue bird...to the side... another gift from the little 'creep' (He is 55 years old now.)
Of course I did give him that huge wooden mask/face ....a few years back...with a dozen or more 8 inch iron spikes clustered on top of its head......sticking straight up.... He calls it "Kramer" (Seinfeld).... it is quite 'large' Large enough for him to fit his sunglasses on its face at the end of the day......perfect fit.... And, this year for his birthday....he got a big black crow..... with very sturdy legs. I think it is beautiful....
Mom and MissingRosie, just beautiful trees! I am not having one this year due to space restrictions and inlaws visiting for the holidays....usable dining room or Christmas tree....hhmmmmm tough choice! Mine is usually "stylish" as all of my old ornaments are still hung on Mom's tree. Hers is such a wonderful chaos of memories, and it just wouldn't be right to have any of the ornaments not there on her tree...
I have been having a really tough time getting into the Christmas spirit this year....this will be only the second year without having Dad with us, and as he was such a big factor in the entire family tradition, it is really hard to face the holidays without him. Today kind of changed my mindset though. We did "instant Christmas" at Mom's today...wrapped all of the presents (honestly took about 8 hours) and baked the majority of the Christmas cookies. Had my neice and nephew up to help with the cookies this evening, and played our favorite Christmas music all day. I am finally feeling my heart lightening and being happy to spend such a special time with the wonderful people who are still in my life.
After all of that rambling. not having a tree doesn't mean that I don't have favorites of the season. I want to share my favorite music with everyone, because if you haven't heard it.....you so need to. We played the holiday music from the TransSiberian Orchestra all day, and there is just nothing better to get you totally into the mood! A must as a holiday tradition!!!!
Merry Christmas to all of my Dave's friends!
I LOVE the TransSiberian Orchestra! You are so right about that music! I also love the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas albums. I think my all time favorite, though, is the Messiah. I used to sing in the Messiah every year and when possible, my dad and I would sing together. In order to be able to sit by him, I would sing the Tenor part. It's a way more interesting part than the women's alto part, so I enjoyed it. When I was a kid, my dad would stand in the living room and 'direct' the orchestra when we played The Messiah on the record player. Those are good memories.
Here is our Christmas tradition, which my kids started several years ago. Most people on the PNW forum have seen this already if they were on Dave's last year. We call this the Christmas Cave.
I just got back a little while ago from Seattle helping my mom put up her tree. She's got all the memory ornaments-she has some old family ones as well as some from her own very first Christmas tree. DH and I haven't put up a tree in years-we're never here for the holidays. But, we might just put one up tomorrow after all-if we can still find our stand, and the lights, etc......
I was pretty tired last night and forgot to say how nice everyone's decorations look-beautiful decorations, all!
This message was edited Dec 20, 2009 8:18 AM
I posted my trees in another thread, but what the heck.
Tree in the living room:
Tree in the rec room:
Fireplace:
My outside lights:
I love all the decorations and trees - thanks for posting everyone!
That white tree in that setting is marvelous!! (said like Billy Crystal... Maaaavelous)
Julie - my condolences on your dad's passing. I am glad that you are starting to feel a lighter heart with the Christmas activities this year. He must have been a wonderful man.
Pony, glad to see your postings here too. The others are so far back, (somewhere) it would be really hard to find them easily.
We wants that white tree, precioussssss....
Thank you Sharon for posting your tree - I am recognizing some of your ornaments - we must have gone shopping together to get our children their annual Christmas ornaments - I did pass each of the girls' ornaments onto them - Tanya displays hers
Kari chooses to design her own tree - so my tree is covered with ornaments given to me annually by my daughters -
I am most pleased with the tree skirt that I designed and stitched by hand
I love to see other peoples' trees - they are all so beautiful - each one having special meaning to its decorator.
Thank you for sharing
OK, so go get that camera so you can share some pictures of your tree skirt!!!!!!!!!
Pony - white trees. You know they're starting to go on sale with all the others . . .
http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&source=hp&q=white+christmas+tree&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=FjswS6v2O5D8NZX-uY4J&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CEAQrQQwAw
Katie, I have been watching for one I can afford, but even half price they aren't in the budget right now. Maybe someday. :)
Everyone's trees are so different and so beautiful. It's fun to see, thank you all for sharing. And thank you Sharon for starting the thread.
Here's my toy tree. Most of the ornaments were picked out by my children and stepchildren through the years. They can still point out who bought which. LOL
I love photos on a tree.
I got my eye on that monkey there!! History?
One of my favorite "toys"
Can you find Rosie. This was taken on what was to be her last Christmas.
LOL DH bought that guy years ago as a decoration for the bar, which we seldom use. He almost never buys things like that, but that one grabbed him as he walked by. I was still in the process of decorating when I took that picture and he hadn't been put away yet.
Here's the bar finished. The log in the center (another DH contribution) is motion activated and says things like "Have a Smokin Christmas" in a sexy Dean Martin kind of voice. It's a hoot when someone hears it the first time.
Nice remembrance of a good friend. I like your ornaments!
I see Rosie. That's a great idea. I think I'm going to steal it, MR.
I have a couple pictures of my kitty Buddha in his Santa hat that I put on the tree every year. I miss my little buddy. He actually loved dressing up for photos.
Julie and Sharon a BIG MANLY HUG for you loss of such a heart felt husband and father. He is sitting next to you smiling at the love you have for his imprint on life. He is in the memory of your past Christmas'. I feel the sorrow we feel is our past on ones spirits living in those times especially when they are followed with joy of their past. This is something we don't accept as adults because the spirit world is avilable to children but as we grow up we logically dismiss it. Enjoy his spirit when you are warmed by the memories of his presence and past. We are a magical creation of our emotions, and should partake at every level available to us.
Nice bar. That log reminds me of that talking fish that my brother has in his house --it has a sexy voice too.
Katie - I used a christmas card to back Rosie's photo so that it wouldn't be too transparent with lights behind it. The photo was attached along each edge to the Christmas card. I didn't want to use glue - afraid it would eventually leak through. The transparent plain tape has held up and can't be seen. I trimmed the photo with a tiny black and white checked ribbon (did glue that since it had the tape as backing) and extended the ribbon up to form the handles. The tree would not be the same without it. Did the same for the grandkids (can see those in the photo too) and for one I trimmed in a sparkly pipe cleaner instead of the ribbon. The Christmas card scene makes a nice backing. Happy Ornament Making!
What fun to see everyone's decorations! It is amazing what memories are evoked when you unpackage all the ornaments from Christmases past.
The white tree is very cool! I helped a good friend buy a pink one a couple of years ago, and at the time I thought she was insane for wanting it, but it looked very neat dressed up, and like you said Pixy...it was wonderful as it didn't even try to look real....just really festive!
I like the photos on the tree as well, especially the furries! I think that it would be a really fun project to make a little "pet" tree for my furry kids with pics of past and present.
And thanks all for the kind thoughts....this WILL be a good holiday!
I d-mailed Laurie to see how she was doing ( she is very busy with numerous projects and family, but happily so), and she sends us all her love and this message:
"I wish all of you a very Happy Christmas/Winter holiday - and an absolutely fabulous New Year!"
Thanks for that HUG, Steve, they are always appreciated. And thank you all also for your kind thoughts and words. It is heart warming to have friends who care about us.
I wish you all a Happy Holiday Season and wonderful things for the coming New Year.
This message was edited Dec 24, 2009 7:19 AM
