We put the Christmas Tree up today. This year we decided to go with our artificial tree. I know it was a hard decision for Allison because she loves real trees. The thing is, real trees are harder to find, more expensive and much smaller than they have been in years. We have a very nice artificial tree that has been on the front porch the past couple of years. It is a really nice tree and all the branches are sturdy so they can hold many of our ornaments. We even have a full collection of Hallmark ornaments from every year that we have been a family. They are my most favorite ornaments.
Last year I bought 2006 and 2007 to make sure that we had them all. I printed up the photos the other day for 2006, 2007 and 2021. Andy must like photo ornaments as well since he picked up a photo ornament for the tree. I then realized that we do not have many family photos in portrait size, most are landscape oriented. I will have to move the hook on the frame. It is a nice ornament and it is very nice that he thought of the family in that way.
On the Eve of Christmas Eve we enjoyed some family time today. The later afternoon was spent watching some of the Christmas classics. We watched Frosty where Eva pointed out that all the kids were wearing shorts in the snow. I never noticed that before. Then we watched Rudolph and saw how mean even Santa was to Rudolph until he needed him. Next was Santa Claus is Coming to Town to which Andy said that the movie was just ripping off the song. Finally we got to A Charlie Brown Christmas where it was just Allison and I left watching. Linus’ speech was as effective as ever. I love that special so much. I think we may have started with that one next time. It is the most meaningful of them all.
We’re getting ready for the next few days where we will be staying home. No visits to friends or family this year. Just us. We have a tree and have decorated it. The kids have decorated their mini trees and gotten their special ornaments. We have the annual family photo ornament up on the tree and Fitzy has been with us since the day after Thanksgiving. He quarantined in a jar for 14 days though. But he’ll be up on the tree tomorrow before he heads out to the North Pole. Allison has wrapped the presents from us to the kids. She also has chicken in the crock pot boiling overnight to be ready for our annual chicken stew for dinner. We’ll get out a pan of cinnamon rolls from the freezer for Christmas morning and then we’ll visit with family via Zoom. It certainly has been a different sort of year all around. But we are weathering it and I hope that you are as well.
