O Christmas Tree

Real or artificial?  White lights or colored?  Themed ornaments or random?  Angel, star or other topper?  Ribbon, garland, tinsel??  There are so many types of Christmas trees and I love to see pictures of them on facebook (or in person)!!

I prefer an artificial tree because 1) you can put it up whenever you want, 2) you always know what it will look like, 3) ornaments are easier to hang on it, 4) you don't have to water it and vacuum needles and 5) it's the least expensive.  That being said, James and I have always had a real tree because he prefers them and his opinion trumps mine.  I'm fixin' to get me an artificial tree when they go on sale after the holiday though and starting next year we will just have two trees :) 

We do agree on the lights though -- definitely white!  I have a small pre-lit tree that has colored lights and it is pretty too, but the big tree must have white lights....that twinkle too of course.

Ornaments.  I really don't have that many and I don't even know where the ones I have came from.  I'm guessing gifts, but I couldn't tell you who they are from unfortunately.  Most are too big and heavy for my tree too.  I like a themed tree and have previously just done a certain color(s) of balls and ribbon, but this year I put all of our ornaments on it, along with a strand of burlap (that only wraps around a third of the tree -- must get more!). 

While visiting a relative this past weekend and listening to her tell me where all of her ornaments came from, I got to thinking about how a tree full of ornaments from family and friends truly represents what Christmas is all about -- being with loved ones.  It's a wonderful symbol. 

I think I will start a tradition of giving my kids ornaments each year....or maybe just every other year, with a family ornament for the in between years so they don't end up with so many ornaments to take with them when they leave the house. 

Yes, I will have 2 trees next year...and maybe even a 2nd small one too :)  I LOVE having my house all lit up by the twinkling lights in the evening when it's dark outside.  One thing we have never done is put up outdoor lights .... next year!!!  I'm so glad it snowed yesterday -- it looks so pretty and christmasy out :)