Let's Go Get That Tree, Yahoo!

[Angebor]

Having survived the madness that was Black Friday, this weekend we'll set out for one of our holiday traditions, the christmas tree hunt.  And the script has already been written...penned in the light ink of frustrated joys and traffic-laden tidings.

We'll pile into the Suburban, hearts aflutter, radio playing yet another rendition of 'Let It Snow'.  The twins will be on a serotonin high having just won their AYSO Soccer division playoff game and amped to play in the championship game.  They'll chatter away in the middle row of seats, breaking down the problems they had to overcome in defense and the tremendous struggles endured in the back field as full backs.  Oh, the woes of being star athletes!

The boys will have climbed into the rear seat with the younger badgering the older, "Nicholas, scoot over!"  "I don't wanna!  Make me!", Nicholas will clammer.  And then...Anthony, much bigger, much stronger, and less patient...will make him.  Nicholas will sob that whiny pine, "Mom, Anthony pushed me over."  That boy's a professional pain!    And Anthony should've pushed him out of the truck.  Don't worry, the car is not moving and will not until all seat belts are fastened. 
"Right there, honey", I'll exclaim gleefully, as we 'search' once again for the lot at which we last purchased a tree.   Tumbling out of the truck, we wander, eyes glazed, into this wondrous urban leaning pine forest.  Families of all hues and faiths will be there. 

"There go the Handels", says me. 

"Aren't they Jewish?", says oldest boy. 

"Yes.", says the know it all twins, in unison.

What are they doing here?", says husband.

Buying a Christmas tree.", says youngest, boy genius.

"Oh.", says the rest of us, in unison.

Some tree shoppers will have capped off a day of shopping with this suburban trek to the Christmas tree farm.  Real (dying) trees purchased with a lot of overextended plastic!  Hmmmm...  "Flock it, please!"

"Dad, what about that one!", the oldest will bellow.  It'll be the one standing prominently in the middle of the lot, already flocked, postcard perfect.  I can hear my dear frugal husband now, "There's a reason why it's still standing in the middle of the lot, son.  Look at the price."   Christmas tree, $120.  Look on my son's face, priceless!

Purchased, with cash on the barrel-head, one of the young guys earning extra bucks during the holiday season will carry the tree to our truck and place it on top.  We'll tie it on...  The tree will be 7ft. 6in. or so.   My husband will have first chosen a fir but we'll end up with a scotch pine or similar.  Did I mention he is frugal.  Hmmm...  Hubby and the oldest will tie it to the truck with twine the yard provides.

Arriving home at about 7PM, the girls will go inside to stage the decorations while the guys bring the tree inside.  Ummm, that will happen about 7:30PM.  Why so long to get the tree in the house?  Let's see...Oh, the answer is DH has a unique tying style for getting the tree to stay in place on the roof of the truck.  While his style is great for keeping your hostage secured in a chair while you go pickup the ransom...turns out it's not so great for tree tying!  "Are you guys coming in yet?"  Goodness gracious to Betsy...

One of the best evenings of the year...  Christmas music playing, the smell of pine and sound of laughter fills the home.  The fire is fully engaged in the fireplace, dancing and crackling...sort of the way my heart will feel at that moment.  It's not the tree folks.  It's the incredible sense of fresh discovery of love, joy, and blessing we rediscover every time we come together.  Family, it's the gift that keeps on giving. 

Merry Christmas

Angela
Wife Spice group Owner

[tanya777]

Nov. 29, 2007 at 8:51 PM Aww have fun Angela!!!! Im putting my tree up with the family on Saturday!! I cant wait!!!

[Becca_2003]

Nov. 29, 2007 at 11:55 PM I already put my trees up.  Yeah, I said TREES!!!!   I usually put up two......................................and then comes the Christmas music, and the baking, then the movies, then the stories and family time............blah blah.......But we ALWAYS remember and celebrate for the TRUE reason!!!!

[vmfive]

Nov. 30, 2007 at 11:23 AM

We still haven't put the tree up!

After reading this, I feel like dropping everything and going out with the family and getting a real one. You say your hubby is frugal well we have had the same fake tree for years because "getting a real one makes no sense when you can use the same one over and over and save the money". Maybe I try again to convince him to get a real one for this year. :)

[stefanierios]

Nov. 30, 2007 at 11:55 PM What an awesome and heartwarming tradition.  Sounds like you guys had a picture-perfect tree-hunting experience.