Being of Irish-American descent, I have always celebrated Christmas in a big way. For years, we bought gorgoeus, fresh 9 foot trees and I–yes I–decorated, including the lights, garland and ornaments. Why? Well, because I’m a nutcase. lol. Hubby might think the tree looks terrific with 500 lights, but I want a 1,000.
There’s a problem with being obsessive about certain things.
You end up doing things by yourself a lot. *grin*
A couple years ago, I had to admit I was just too busy to do my regular Christmas-tree-nutcase-act. So we bought this pre-lit fake tree. I was pretty doubtful about it…it was puny, it didn’t smell fantastic…it made me think of Ralphie’s dad in the Christmas Story growling, “Those things are like pipe-cleaners.”
But here’s the thing: they are easy, easy, easy. It’s still tall, at 6.5 feet (7 with my gold star). So what if it doesn’t take advantage of my tall ceiling? So what if it doesn’t smell good? I have pine-scented candles. I decorated the damn thing from box to lighted finale in 2 hours flat.
Now that’s efficent.
And then, I had time to work on making my deadline. :)
Here’s a pic of my tree this year:
And guess what? The awesome Fiona Jayde and her wonderful husband Ry sent us this today, making me even holiday cheerier.
Isn’t that darling? Each canister is filled with a different Harry and David luscious treat. Oh…and guess what cannister #2–The “O” in JOY (grin)–has in it?
That’s what I’m talking about. lol. Sorry. I featured these candy/chocolate/covered bing cherries in a sexy scene in RELEASE. They are huge favorites.
Do you celebrate a holiday this season? If so, how do you celebrate? Whether it’s Kwanza, Chanukah or Christmas, I wish you a jolly season and a very Happy New Year!
Oh I miss Harry and David…their pears are like candy. Those were my office working days. Beth your tree looks wonderful. Happy Holidays.
by Jennifer E December 15th, 2009 at 8:28 pmYour tree is beautiful Beth.
I bought a pre-lit Christmas tree a couple of years ago too and love it. As you indicated it is much easier and I love all the glittering white lights. We celebrate an enjoy Christmas very much.
Enjoy your Fi gift and I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year..
L
by Lea December 15th, 2009 at 9:16 pmHey Beth! I love the tree!!! I will have to send you a picture of mine. I have the ocd as you, and you are right… you wind up doing things by yourself, lol!!!!
I always would get a real tree and wind up decorating it myself… well this year, we got a fake one too….. I think it went against every fiber in my body to buy it… But once I got it home and set it up… Has lights on it already… I fell in love!!!!
We celebrate by having dinner as a family – mine and hubby’s. And the actual day, we (my hubby & daughter) spend together at home… alone!
by Cecile December 15th, 2009 at 9:31 pmHave a great day/night honey!
Your tree is beautiful Beth. Love the color scheme. We always get together with my family on Christmas Eve which is my hubby’s birthday (or else no one would be around poor guy). Then everyone sees their in-laws on Christmas Day. We get to open one gift on the eve.
by Mary G December 15th, 2009 at 9:48 pmI’m a little jealous of how easy the prelit tree is. And yours looks really nice.
We do Hanukkah and Christmas. So lucky me – I get to buy presents for both, and decorate for both (which I love putting up, but HATE taking down!).
Happy holidays!
by Lori December 15th, 2009 at 10:19 pmVery pretty! We have a pre-lit too and love it! I thought I wanted a real tree this year but once we got the pre-lit up I was very happy!
Harry and David!! Love them, they have the neatest stuff!!
Happy Holidays!!!
by Blanche December 15th, 2009 at 11:08 pmWe always had a real tree. My dad always did the lights and us kids got to hang the decorations. My mother was always the Bah Hum Bug of the family. My first Christmas with my husband he insisted on buying a fake tree. I went with it. He did the lights the first year, but I have some how earned that dreaded job. I am never happy with my lights, especially at the top. For some reason that last part of the tree is just so darn difficult. I spent the entire day putting the lights on the tree this year, while the kids were at school and hubby at work, only to get to the top portion and not have enough lights. I had to run out to Wal Mart and get another box. I got the smaller box, I should have listened to my son and got the larger box b/c I still didn’t have enough to finish the tree without using the one strand of dancing lights that I save for last. By the time the tree was ready for the decorations I was ready to throw the darn thing out the door. LOL. But the lights were done and my 7 year old son was delighted to finally start decorating. He put on all of the special ornaments before my daughter even came out of her room to help. That is my favorite part of decorating the tree, sitting back and watching the kids decorate it. No, it is never decorated the way my husband or I would decorate it but I get so much joy from watching the kids hang the ornaments and I get to sit back and relax!
by heather d December 16th, 2009 at 2:51 pmNext year we are planning on buying a real tree only because neither of the kids have had the experience of going out and picking the perfect tree and smelling the pine all season long. I am really ready for the pre-lit but I will give my kids a few more years before I break down and buy it.
I think your tree looks great. I love this time of year – baking, listening to Christmas songs & spending time with my family. I have not gone to fake tree, yet. There is just something about the live tree that makes me smile. Although, those fake trees are looking more and more real each year. So, maybe next year that will be the way to go. Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year and enjoy your Harry and David treats.
by Jennifer D. December 16th, 2009 at 3:10 pmI love your tree too Beth. For the past few years I have stuck to a simple Gold and Silver theme with lots of small clear lights. I used to do a more traditional tree with lots of wooden, straw and cloth decorations but it never ‘sparkled’. My daughter aged 10 decorated the tree this year, she put everything on including the lights, and she made a beautiful job of it:) I also trail small clear lights around my fireplace, and sideboard:)
by adrienne December 16th, 2009 at 4:34 pmI think the tree looks great! I’m especially a fan of clear lights so that’s probably why I like it so much too.
When it comes to decorating a friend always comes over and we put the decorations while eating Chinese take-out.
by Jody F. December 16th, 2009 at 6:21 pmI love the tree! You sure do make a strong case for the fake tree. And you can never go wrong with Harry and David. They make some good treats!
I have not crumbled yet to the fake tree, and still do the real one. But my time might be coming soon. This year, my kids were not impressed that the tree “bit” them when they were putting up the ornaments. My hubby had a hard time finding one, and although the tree is beautiful, it is really prickly and the needles are really sharp and pointy. I like the ones that are soft and don’t hurt so much when you touch the tree.
by Amy M December 17th, 2009 at 8:39 amyou know they have 9 ft pre lit trees right. I too have the high ceilings and a short tree but I have my eye on the 9fter after xmas
by jennifer mathis December 18th, 2009 at 4:18 pmoh and Merry christmas
by jennifer mathis December 18th, 2009 at 4:18 pmHarry and David have yummy treats!
by Amelia December 30th, 2009 at 12:36 pmmake scented candles…
Thanks for the fascinating info. I do not often get to read different poeple’s comments, much less take part. Because its Sunday, I have some spare time – I always learn something. Thank you….
by make scented candles April 18th, 2010 at 7:40 pm