Sunday, November 18, 2018

The Tradition Continues

Waaay waaay back ... in the early 80s I think, we (as in Sue) started the tradition of having the family, plus friends sometimes, over for the decorating of our Christmas tree. It began once my parents moved to our town, and we could be home for Christmas instead of travelling hither and thither.

More than three decades later, it is still a family tradition, now held at my daughter's, Shauna's, place.

We did it pretty early this year because they are at their Dad's next weekend, plus JJ will be in the town's Christmas parade. With the weekend after that already in scheduling conflict, this weekend was seen to be the right time.

We began with the topping for the tree, but the bells didn't quite fit properly, so we used a bow.




Then ribbon was wrapped all around. It was passed from Sue to Danica and around to JJ, who being the littlest, filled the tight space near the wall.



Then, the hanging of the ornaments.




I put down the camera long enough to contribute a few pieces because that is also a tradition. My dad used to sit and watch the event from afar, but he would be persuaded to hang a decoration near the end.

I am hanging a ball that my mother smocked many years ago. She would do two identical balls every year for many years. One went to us at the time, but they were meant to pass on to her granddaughters some day. Shauna has my mother's set now, but we still hold on to the other one.

I had a bit of a sentimental moment doing this, thinking of the love and care that my mother put into smocking these Christmas balls. She's been gone for 15 years now, but she is still with us in some ways.



Just for effect I deliberately threw the camera out of focus for this shot.



And isn't this photo of Danica wearing ornaments as earrings just the best?



Done.



Time for dinner. Sometimes we just do snacky things — hor d'oeuvres as it were. But this year, I made a veggie lasagna. The kids are picky eaters, so it wasn't their favourite, but I'm glad i meade the effort regardless.



18 comments:

Marie Smith said...

We have a similar tradition. Lots of fun!

Joanne Noragon said...

It all looks wonderful. The tree, the company and the dinner. Well done, all.

Shammickite said...

Veggie lasagna would suit me perfectly! Nice to have the family tradition of decorating the tree. But too early in my opinion. We didn't put any Christmas decorations up until just a few days before Christmas when I was a child, and I suppose that thought has stayed with me, however my sons' homes are already Christmasified. Happy Christmas!

Vicki Lane said...

Your lasagna looks wonderful! And the tree is lovely. We'll be gathering for the annual popcorn stringing/tree decorating but not till Dec 16. And I just might make veggie lasagna.

Jenn Jilks said...

What a lovely post! And a great tradition.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Such a beautiful tree! And what a wonderful group creating it. Plus, a delicious lasagna.

Mage said...

Yes, the tree came out well as did the family. What a beautiful family you have.

Silver in AZ said...

turned out great, and I never met a lasagna I didn't enjoy!

William Kendall said...

It sounds like you had fun!

Peace Thyme said...

What lovely children. The tree turned out beautifully! I like the ribbon idea. The Princess puts pink ribbon on hers, too.

Jenny Woolf said...

Those kids always look so cheerful! And the tree is lovely. I simply CAN NOT believe it's getting near time to decorate our Christmas tree. It's nearly December for goodness sake! I am sure that three weeks in the tropics, plus the fact that our weather in UK has been unseasonably warm lately, has completely ruined my sense of time. It feels like it is about September to me now, and the weather's starting to get that chill in the air...

Jim said...

Family traditions are the best. We always decorated the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Even as adults, the kids always wanted to come home to help. Now that they have families of their own and l lives 2 hours away, this tradition has bit the dust! LOL! But, the traditional ornaments still go on my tree, and the socks with their names get hung. What started out as just two hand made socks for my wife and I, has become tradition to add a new one as the family grew. I added a new son-in-law this year, so I am having his sock made as I type this. It's still fun, even though my wife is gone. She is missed, but her memory lives on in our well established Christmas traditions.

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

Those are the Christmas gatherings that I remember with such joy. Now in my 80's I've cut way back … no tree and I just display some cherished items so I thank you for including me in your tradition.

troutbirder said...

The best of times indeed...:)

Wendy said...

Scheduling conflicts seem to get worse as time goes on! More family members to consider, etc.

Absolutely love veggie lasagna. It's something I make frequently when the gang is over. Or regular lasagna with meat. Kids generally pick at it at my house too.

Your tree looks beautiful and the happy faces make your home look wonderful. I'm away right now - will decorate when I get back home.

Mara said...

I will probably not put up a tree this year, even though I brought it with me from Norway. The living room is a bit too small and I have plenty of other Christmas decorations to make the place look festive.

I love the ribbon at the top. Is it that ribbon that then goes all the way around the tree, or did you use two different ones?

Anvilcloud said...

Mara: same ribbon but two different pieces.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

It's a lovely tradition to have the family gather to decorate the tree and one which I never experienced until adulthood. My parents always put the tree up and decorated it when my brother and I were young and often on Christmas Eve. And, we always had a live tree but I can't even know where it was bought as we had no big box stores around, so most likely a local seasonal stand. Sadly, my childhood memories are not as clear as I would like. It's nice to see that your family continues to make good memories.