It's Finally Up!

Tradition suggests that the Ferguson family puts up their tree on December 1st. This year we'll be a little late but since it's fantastic plastic that shouldn't be an issue. As a child I remember the real trees that we used to buy and decorate each Christmas in the hope that all of the needles didn't fall off until Santa had bestowed numerous gifts under its shedding branches. Later, came the switch to the then ultra modern, aluminium, silver tree which as I recall, was at the very least a fire hazard and more significantly trees of its type became known for their abilities to electrocute the unwise who dressed them with faulty Christmas lights. However, a few years ago a colleague was kind enough to be wanting a good home for her enormous tree. I put up my hand and now we put up her tree. The tree when erected in all its glory actually reaches the ceiling so we tuck in the uppermost green, plastic limb to allow the angel to stand in her rightful place. Over the years we have gathered and kept every Christmas decoration that the children made at school. The time has come to say goodbye to those old faithfuls and bow to the whims of fashion and buy all that glitters or glows. I have in recent years decided to purchase new Christmas decorations each time I travel overseas. Underpinning this notion is that as I dress the Christmas tree each year I will be able to bathe in the nostalgia of when and where each bauble was purchased. Tomorrow is Tree Day. A momentous occasion since the box that houses it is stored in the now cluttered cubby and it must be dragged up thirteen stairs. This of course is no mean feat as it must be followed by box of Christmas decorations which is more challenging as it lives on the top shelf of the garage and is usually centimetres deep with dust and perhaps the occasional spider. No wonder Stephen dislikes Christmas. Every year we discuss where the tree should stand and every year we realise that its size dictates its placement in the lounge room. I'm right into recycling too and I encourage those wishing to place a gift under the tree do so by selecting a box or gift bag from the stash that I maintain just for that purpose. If everyone did the same there wouldn't be so much Christmas paper in the recycling bin. Unfortunately, not everyone shines to my idea of saving the planet one piece of paper at a time and they still choose to wrap some presents. Traditions need to be fostered and possibly over time there will be a greater understanding in my family of the environmental focus of Christmas (despite the plastic nature of our tree.) It's finally up! Thank you Alysia. It looks good.