There comes a point in most people’s lives when they have to take down their Christmas tree. It’s inevitable. Some people put away their decorations the day after Christmas, others wait until New Year’s and then begin the process, and then there’s our family: we try to make it until Valentine’s Day.
Sarah helps by posing sweetly in front of the almost empty tree.
Yes, that’s right, Valentine’s Day.
In February.
The middle of February.
Today I was called Mrs. Grinch, by my very own beloved husband. And why? Because I was taking ornaments off the tree and packing them up.
Last year I convinced Tim and the children to buy an artificial tree. I found a gorgeous one at Lowes after the holidays. It was on sale and turned out to be a great deal. I think the kids hoped I would forget about it and end up buying them a real one anyway. I’m not sure how you can forget about a big huge, eight foot long box sitting in the garage but then I’ve seen our garage, it’s easy to get lost out there.
Tim and Joshua worked out in the garage this afternoon.
The artificial tree was a terrible disappointment to the children. It’s amazing they survived Christmas at all. Joshua would barely speak to me about it. Rachel gave a whole devotional during school, one day, on how people with FAKE trees are like people who have a FAKE relationship with Jesus (definite emphasis on FAKE). It was truly inspiring. Everytime a visitor remarked on how beautiful the tree was and how it looked real (actually touching it to be sure) it was like rubbing salt in a wound. Poor dears! The only thing that helped them get through this tragedy was the large mound of presents that lay heaped under the (FAKE) branches.
When we lived out in the country (away from the convenience of Home Depot tree lots) we drove up into the mountains to cut down our own tree. One year Tim was sick and our neighbors were kind enough to bring us a freshly cut tree. We managed that two years running although eventually they realized Tim was faking it and we had to go and actually find a tree ourselves, preferably one that was for sale.
Kathy, David and Sarah in November, 2003.
We were all very excited about getting our own tree. We were especially proud of Tim as the valiant tree conqueror.
Who gave these children an axe for splitting wood???
When your Christmas tree is real (be it fir, spruce, pine, etc) and you put it up in November or early December, by the time Christmas arrives the tree is standing up by sheer holiday spirit alone. One good breeze and you have a shower of needles on your beautiful tree skirt. No matter how thorough a sweeping and vacuuming job we do, it’s usually not until we move out of a house that we seem to get rid of those pesky tree needles.
Well, who knew that the purchase of a fake tree would result in a rather large, eternal, green living room center piece. I think Tim and the children would have been content to leave our tree up until next year. Mind you, now that I’ve spent half the afternoon taking down decorations, finding the Christmas bins, labeling things, and on and on, I’m more inclined to see their point of view. Lol! Especially since I’m no where near finished.
Stacks of Playmobil Advent Calendar boxes–empty now of their little pieces, ready to be filled next year.
I’m not sure why the Christmas un-decorating falls so squarely on my shoulders (although Tim and the boys do the box/bin hauling to and from the garage, no small task when you have over 10 bins). Does that happen in other houses or just mine? Is it because I attempt to be ultra organized and it’s impossible to follow my directions? Do I micro-manage? Is it that Christmas has passed so long ago that no one really wants to think about it? Putting away of decorations is just another ‘chore’ I’m trying to assign? Is it a passive/aggressive attempt to punish me for destroying the spirit of Christmas in January? Is it only fun to take OUT the decorations (“Yay, Christmas is coming!”) and therefore sad to put them AWAY. You hardly ever hear any one saying, “Yay, Christmas is over.” At least not the children or husbands in my house.
These are questions I ask myself as I wrap up ornaments, go around the house taking down bows, lights, Christmas cards, etc., knowing full well that no matter how hard I look, how organized I am, it won’t be until I stack all the bins neatly and tightly on the shelves (full to the brim with their lids pressed on securely) that I will find the last of the Christmas decorations. I try to stay ahead of the little impish elf who hides these things and keep a half empty bin ready and waiting but invariably I put that container on the bottom of a big stack. Sigh.
On a delightfully positive note, as I was pulling the lights off the tree this afternoon I found two Christmas presents tucked into the branches – both addressed to me!! Two cd’s from Tim that must have been forgotten. Surely that makes all the work worth while. Right? Don’t worry about answering, I’m too busy trying to turn these red bows into Valentine hearts.
Kathy
My solution Katherine–Every year, around Epiphany, I invite my friends to a Julgransplundring party–that’s Swedish for tear down the tree. I flit around, filling glasses, preparing a meal, and my friends take the tree down, pack up the ornaments, wind the lights on cardboard, and take the tree– a real one, of course–down stairs and outside the building. Of course this means I have no control over what is done and ornaments are not in their usual places when I unpack them the next year, but what does that matter? A good time is had by all!!
PS Our building hands out large plastic bags. I take one to the Farmers’ Market, have the Christmas Tree man make a fresh cut, put the tree in the bag and tie it into the trunk. When putting the tree in the stand, we make a hole in the bag and push it down to the floor where it makes a sort of skirt. At the end we simply pull up the bag and carry out the tree. Very few needles if the tree is fresh (this year’s was wonderful!) and well watered.
Katherine, that was hilarious! It should be in the newspaper. I’m serious! This is your very funniest writing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. You’ve got us beat on leaving your tree up! We love our artificial tree, and we’re never in a hurry to take it down. This blog is bringing out an excellent writer. WOW!
Hi, Katherine. You are so funny. I loved this blog!! We have resisted artificial along with Stephanie- and this year was our very prettiest EVER. We had some needles when it was taken out of the house- but not so many. AND I am blessed with a wonderful cleaning person!! Thank you, JWS.
I am always reluctant to take the tree down- on one hand, and axious to get it OUT on the other. I lvoe sitting in the living room watching the lights- early in the morning when it’s still dark outside. Remember- we are up early and there’s lots of early morning dark time around here.
But when it’s gone- and the boxes are packed away- I have about 5 big plastic containers stuffed in the guest room closet–I feel clean and fresh!!! And of course there is always an ornament found later- I say- good for you, YOU get to stay around and wait in VIEW til next Christmas. Ha.
Love you Edgrens. Steph’s tree was gorgeous!! Aunt Kate
Hi! Aunt Stephanie–what a great idea! I’ve heard of tree decorating parties but not tree un-decorating parties. I love it! That really appeals to me–a fun gathering, yummy food, and all the work done by the end of the day. What did you serve this year??? Kath
I love your pictures and your blog!!
We once made it to Valentine’s Day with our tree!! That was a year to remember. My dh is always the spoil sport who thinks we need to take down the tree. It looks so dark when it comes down, I just love the lights and colors from the ornaments.
I my house my dh–because he is the spoil sport, remember–does a lot of the taking down. I cry if I have to do it looking at all those ornaments, thinking about their stories…our’s has to come down this weekend.
Karen!!! You’re kidding, you all once really made it to Valentine’s Day??? I love it! My family would have been so thrilled. I agree, I love the lights and the colors. Everything looks so beautiful.