This is a re-post of a blog from 2014. The year I started blogging…so Happy Anniversary to me! And thank you to my friend, Linda Friday, who beat me into submission so I would start blogging. I’ve loved sharing my memories and hope you’ve enjoyed them too.

A Series of Unfortunate Trees

I’ve spent the last week running around furiously trying to get all my shopping done and my house decorated because I’m having company for Christmas. I think I’m now done. Is it perfect? No, but neither am I. And I’m guessing you might not be either, so give yourself a break like my mom did when I was a kid and let your kids or grandkids decorate the tree.

1. If we were a family of drinkers, I could understand this tree. Clearly, we kids decorated it. I love the classy bucket underneath. I think this was our 1960 tree.

I don’t ever remember thinking about what our tree looked like when I was very little, except that I liked to sit and watch the colored lights and play with the wise men and Jesus.

Did I notice that our manger was made of cheap cardboard? Nope. Or did I care that Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the overhead angel, with tiny pieces missing from their faces, looked like they’d all been in a bar fight? Nope to that too.

I do remember our family being together around the table, talking for hours, and all the great food and cookies and chestnuts we ate with aunts, uncles and cousins dropping by almost constantly.

As I got older, I wondered why people chuckled when they came and looked at our trees. Now that I’m looking at these photos, I think I know. Did it matter?  Absolutely not.  If I had to choose between my loving family, or great decor, I’d take family in a nanosecond.

 2. I remember this as my best childhood Christmas. I was in first grade. I think it’s 1961. My sister and I got large walking dolls. My brothers got a basketball hoop. Didn’t remember the tree until this photo. Slightly better than the year before, but the tree’s garland draper still had much to learn.

 3. My cousin Nancy and I sitting under the tree, which looks kind of happy and like it’s about to wrap us in its boughs!

 

 4. I guess we figured we’d make up our lack of decorating prowess with size. The chairs look a little out of sorts at having to step aside. And good Lord, what was my mom thinking with those chair covers and curtains?

 

5. And one of my favorites. I can just hear this tree happily shouting, “Isn’t this popcorn string slimming?” I think my sister and I decorated it when I was 13 or 14.

If this post doesn’t make you feel better about your Christmas preparations, you might be beyond hope. Relax, have a hot toddy, bake some cookies, and remember, they are visiting you, not your decorations.

And absolutely no pressure, but if you enjoy this blog and the recipes and would like to be a supporter so I can stay caffeinated enough to continue turning out blogs another ten years, just click on buymeacoffee.com/FranTunno

Thank you and Happy Holiday preparation! Please share pics of your hideous trees too!