Oh Christmas Tree!

We put up the Christmas tree this year a couple days after Thanksgiving. Usually we put it up in December around the first or so of the month. With the exception of last year this is the earliest we have put it up. Last year Thanksgiving came so early that we put it up the day after. So, as my son was decorating the tree I noticed that this time the tree reminded me of the little tree my grandmother used to put up for her sister. When my grandmother's sister lived in her own house she would have a silver tree that she would put up every year on a table and in the front window. And she used to keep that tree up until the end of January sometimes even into the first week in February. So, when she got sick and my grandmother had to take care of her she moved her in to her house and in her room she always put up a little tree for her. My aunt had dementia and was non verbal most of the time she was sick. So, she wouldn't say much but her eyes lit up when she saw that tree go up. It was a very small tree that sat next to the TV but the size of the tree didn't really matter. It made her happy. 

Our tree is not quite that small. It is a small tree. I think it is four or five feet tall. I got it on sale for about $35 bucks about 7 years ago from Joann's. We happened to be shopping at the grocery store near there and my mom saw an ad that said that they had them on sale for half price. So, we got one. It is perfect for the small apartment that we live in. Although, one day I hope to upgrade. Both the tree and the apartment. My son was decorating it and I guess the way he arranged the bulbs and stuff kind of reminded me of that tree my grandmother used to put up for my aunt. Unfortunately we don't have any decorations from my grandmother. The only thing that we do have is a troll doll that she had. I really don't know how we managed to hold on to that one doll but we did. So, in memory of her and her troll doll collection, she thought it brought good luck and was always picking up little nicknack's here and there, we will find a place for it on the tree. We have all kinds of unconventional decorations on the tree and that is what makes it our tree. Of course we need more lights. One string just won't do. The lights that came with the tree finally managed to burn out last year. They had a good run.

Along with the tree the wreaf is outside on the door. We put that out today. Tweaked it a little with the bow and the bulbs since it was our DI

Y project a few years ago. The bow that was on there for many years was weathered and faded. So, it was time for a new one. 

I guess it is beginning to look a little like Christmas around here.