The Christmas Tree - A Family Tradition

Traditions are my icing on the cake this time of year. They make the month of December just that much better and my heart does a happy dance just thinking of them. From destroying the kitchen baking loaves and loaves of banana bread, to sipping egg nog while watching Love Actually, the traditions surrounding the Holidays couldn't be loved anymore by muah.

One tradition for our family was the selection and decoration of a real Christmas tree every year. I can remember bundling up each December and traipsing through crunchy fields finding the perfect pine. We would sip on hot chocolate once the hayride dropped us off and warm our frozen fingertips around the fires. Dad would help tie the tree to the top of the van and we would head home, knowing there was boxes of ornaments that needed displayed. Once home, Christmas records were spun and warm sweatshirts and pants were sported. The tradition of decorating the tree was always a good time, but it was after completion that included my favorite moments. My brother and I would lie on the floor as my parents went about their business and look up at the lights shining on the ceiling. I'm not sure if we would chat or just lie there quietly and watch, but either way, it's a memory I'll never leave behind.  Knowing that Christmas was right around the corner probably added to the splendor, but in that simple moment I always felt so fulfilled  Sure I was just a child, but the magical lights shining so brightly and my brother sharing in the moment with me made it always something I looked forward to all year.

Derek and I have never had a real tree before. Whether it was time constraints, small apartments, laziness or you name it, several fake trees adorned our living rooms throughout the years. With Drew coming upon the age of 2 and plenty of tree farms around Cleveland, it was time. Time to start re-creating my childhood tradition with Drew. Time to suck it up and face the 30 degrees just to find the perfect tree. And with my parents, the tree experts, in town, there wasn't a better time. A friend referred us to a local tree farm and the hunt was on.

We found our fir, saw some goats, grabbed hot chocolate and scurried back into the car as fast as we could. It was cold... and we were frozen. But we found the tree. Not too skinny and not too fat. Just perfect. Once home with our tree, Dad and Derek set it up, but we agreed to hold off decorating until the next morning. Because, quite frankly, we had board games that needed played and drinks that needed consumed. Priorities people!

After breakfast that next day, we put on some tunes and grabbed the cameras to capture Drew helping with the decorations. Last year he was just a bump on a log, barely crawling around while Derek and I decorated. This year he was a helping fool, grabbing as many ornaments as he could and carefully placing each one (with a bit of help). The tree looked spectacular, just needing a topper we have yet to find, and I loved that my parents were there to help.

Once the tree was decorated, Drew and my mother both took a nap while Derek, my dad and I decorated the outside of the house. Nothing too extravagant, just some garland, bows and lights here and there. I enjoyed having my father there to help.... somewhat of an old tradition come alive again.

Now that I have a few Holiday traditions under my belt, I'm so very giddy for more to come. I think we're taking Drew to see Santa this weekend and I'm sure I'll be doing some baking while belting to my favorite Mariah Carey songs. Cheers to the Holidays and things that make us feel warm and fuzzy inside!

What are your favorite Holiday traditions?