For many it’s a symbol of all the joyful peace that surrounds the holiday season (when?), while for others the Christmas tree is the source of endless frustration. In homes all across the country, a war will be waged of man versus a really big plant.
A fake tree has always been my family’s preference, especially after the one year we tried a real one and my dad was ready to become Jewish after all the struggles of getting it to fit in the stand. Lighting candles has to be a lot easier. Once all the decorations are on, it’s hard to tell the difference between an artificial and a real tree, minus the ever falling pine needles. And depending on how tightly cramped the tree is stored in the box, its shape can look different every year.
The most dreaded part is putting on the lights. Perhaps one year I will remember when I mindlessly wrap up the lights that the next year I will have to untangle them. Plus, there is always a box filled with strings of lights, enough to compete with the Griswalds, yet only a couple of them work. For some reason they never get thrown away though, maybe a Christmas miracle will occur some year and they will magically start shining again.
Finally, it’s time for the supposed fun part, putting on the decorations. I do enjoy the memories they bring back, like the star (at least I think that’s what it’s supposed to be) that I cut out in the third grade. Art was never my best subject, but one of the great things about a Christmas tree is it can be used to display such artistic impressions from our youth. It might look weird on the refrigerator but hanging on the tree is just fine. There are other ornaments that symbolize our hobbies, favorite characters, sports teams and movies. Some with our names painted on it, some that are old and a few that are new. Almost each one carries a memory, usually a good one.
As enjoyable as decorating the tree is, it does cause some emotional warfare for me. I feel guilt for those ornaments that I put in the back, that won’t be seen by anyone. Yes, it’s right in front of the window, but who has ever driven by a house and said, ‘Slow down, did you see that ornament?”. Of course, the reason is, all the eye catching ones are in the front, such as my third grade artwork. Many of the ornaments that are relegated to the back were given as gifts or even hand made, some by my deceased grandmother (talk about guilt), they deserve better, but competition is fierce. Just like I used to always be told in gym class, ‘someone has to be picked last,’ and someone has to go to the back of the tree.
Yes, Christmas tree’s can be a hassle, but it’s all worth it for the presents that’s under them!
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