Decorating the Christmas Tree

As the Perkins household gets ready for the wonderful Christmas season, we took some time this week to decorate the Christmas tree.  We went out and bought our tree last Friday, but Monday was the first chance we had to actually decorate.  And boy, does it look nice!  A little heavy with ornaments on the bottom half, but nice none the less.

When I was growing up, one of the holiday traditions that sticks out most to me was going out to buy our Christmas tree.  I realize that many families actually buy just ONE, beautifully shaped (and often lit) tree and pack it up every year.  And now, as one of the responsible members of the household, I can see some serious benefit to that.  But, at this point, it is a tradition I am not ready to give that real tree up.  Yeah, I know they don't smell amazing for long, and yeah, I know they make a great big mess.  But, it's TRADITION!  To choose the "perfect" tree every year is an art.  And one that I am passing on to my children.  Hopefully, some day, when my kids have kids, if they are still selling Christmas trees then, they will pass this tradition on to them.  And they will remember as fondly as I do going out with my mom and dad to seek out that "perfect" tree.  I think I've even converted my "fake tree" husband :).