My Favorite Part of the Holiday Hullabaloo
Truth be told, I'm a Thanksgiving girl, all the way. Perhaps the holiday holds a special place in my heart because I made my grand entrance on that very day, exactly 40 years ago! (It makes me grin to know that I delayed everyone's turkey dinners; you could say I've been inspiring lateness from birth!)
More likely, it's the gathering of family, the warmth of quality time (my love language), the delicious food, the tales told, and the echoes of laughter. So, while Christmas may not be my absolute favorite, I undoubtedly find true charm in the selection of the Christmas tree.
A Little Back Story:
My mom gifted me a sweet little artificial tree when I was a single mom. Tiny baby Hailey and I treasured that tree. It marked the beginning of our Christmas traditions, inspiring me to gift Zack his inaugural artificial tree the first Christmas we celebrated together, while we were dating. We cherished these trees throughout the years, adding different ornaments, including one that held my engagement ring 12 years ago. (Insert the awwwww!) After we got married, life took a rocky turn, and we found ourselves separated. Marriage can be tough, y’all, but it’s worth sticking it out! When we decided to reconcile, we embraced new traditions—one of them being the annual ritual of cutting down a fresh Christmas tree. This marks our 6th year with a real tree!
SO today is the Day!
My husband will dress in his classic red and black flannel (that buffalo plaid, if you will), looking like the Brawny man, wielding a hand saw. The whole family, including our pup, will bundle up and jump in the car. (This year we will take two because my mom is here to celebrate.) As we hit the road, Christmas tunes fill the air. We take turns with the aux, but some classics always make it to our playlist—Feliz Navidad is a favorite, and I love Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Baby, It's Cold Outside (despite its controversy), and the timeless Do They Know It's Christmas in Africa?
Upon arrival at the tree farm, choosing "The One" transforms into its own adventure. Despite our grand plans to explore, we often find ourselves irresistibly drawn back to the very first tree we encountered—a concolor fir with a delightful fragrance of evergreen mixed with oranges. Whether we're placing boughs in our cars to infuse the scent throughout the season or boiling them on the stove with cranberries for an instant "home for the holidays" ambiance, the experience is nothing short of magical. After some fun photo ops, a bit of netting magic, and some clever strapping to the car by my husband, our chosen tree is all set for the journey home.
Back at Home, the Real Festive Fun Begins:
Evan and Zack mix a concoction of ginger ale in the tree's base, marking the start of the decorating process. Lights expertly placed by my hubby, ornaments carefully chosen by the kids, and the combined effort of the family transform the tree into a bona fide festive masterpiece.
But the True Highlight?
Placing our beloved angel atop the tree. It's become quite an amusing task over the years, especially as Evan grows. The struggle is real, my friends, but my husband will make it happen! Our angel is special, a family heirloom from my mom, bought when I was just a baby. One for me, one for my sister—she carefully alternated them each year so they each hold the same amount of Christmas magic. My heart smiles every year that my kids are experiencing the same angel that I did as a child.
More Than Trees / Suggestions for Creative Holiday Culture in Your Own Home:
Our holiday traditions go beyond tree-cutting. I always buy Hailey a new nutcracker. This year Evan chose one too. Hailey and I sneak in and decorate Nate's room. The Christmas baking begins (my kids are better at it than I am), and we have a Gingerbread House decoration contest with a friendly vote on Facebook for the best creation (Hailey usually wins). Let's not forget The Bedford Christmas Parade, although this will be the first year our BIGS aren’t marching in it. We mix late Friendsgivings, Dirty Santas, and Christmas light car rides with hot chocolate. Our mischievous Elf on the Shelf adds fun, and the advent calendar builds anticipation. We create a Christmas Countdown of books that concludes with a cozy reading of the Christmas story of our Savior's birth, followed by the joyous chaos of unwrapping presents in the morning.
What is your favorite holiday memory or tradition that you’ve crafted over the years? Or are you starting something new this year? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below! 🌟🎄✨
