Setting Up The Christmas Memories.

Christmas… is not an external event at all, but a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart. ~Freya Stark

Today is tree and home decorating time. Yesterday, we went and picked out our tree, which this year is named Alistair. Every year we choose a name for the tree. Last year was Meinhardt… I would have chosen something more manly and Viking-ish, but we decide as a family on tree names…

Some of my Grandmother's bulbs, and a paper German decoration from the 1800's.

Some of my Grandmother’s bulbs, and a paper ball from Germany that opens up…the ball is from the 1800’s.

I love this time of year. It goes back to my Mother, and the huge deal she always made about Christmas.

We always had piles of presents under a real tree, and the house was beautifully decorated.

My mom has passed but I’m carrying on the tradition.

I even have many of the family decorations from my Grandmother, and some from a time no one can recall (old in monkey years).

Along with all of my antique decorations we’re constantly acquiring new ones as a family.

We have ten foot high ceilings, so we get a large tree. A big tree sucks up decorations like a green sponge.

My Mother saved the ornaments I made as a child, and I have them now. I’ll pass them on to my daughter when she establishes a family of her own (which better not be for a LONG time… She’s not quite 14).

Five years old and stuck on Santa’s butt…

Here’s an example of my handiwork. I made this Santa was I was in Kindergarten, circa 1976…

It used to embarrass me when my Mother hung it on the tree. Now, I’m thankful she saved it.

I imagine one day my great grand children will treasure the ratty old Santa that I made when I was five.

I know I would, if I had a treasure from the past made by a distant ancestor… Even if it is butt ugly.

So, tonight, after dinner, we’re going to decorate Alistair.

I have the angel tree topper from my parent’s first Christmas together which goes on first. Then the lights, and finally the treasures from my past… and present.