Question #22

Describe getting a Christmas tree as a child. When did you put it up & decorate?

We used to always go get a real tree at Allied. They had a section outside during the winter with real Christmas trees. It was by the barber shop (Some of you Murrayites might remember). We would search & search 'til we found just the right tree. My parents loved to find really big beautiful trees. My Mom likes flocked trees. So we would find the tree, then they would flock the tree right in front of us. I loved to watch them do it. I loved the smell of being in the tent with all the real trees. We would buy the tree the first part of December. We would set up the flocked tree in our living room. My Mom has lots of really old, very pretty ornaments. There was a lot of beads on it. We also had a tree in our downstairs. The one downstairs was a big artificial tree. We would put all the little ornaments that were homemade & cute. We always had such a fun time putting up the trees. I have kept a lot of these traditions with my own family. I like to put up multiple trees. I think Kobe has a fun time doing it too. We have different themes on the trees. All of our trees are artificial. I like to decorate the fake tree's better. Much easier. The sagging branches on the real trees bothers me. I do love the smells from the real trees, but I guess that's what the sprays & candles are for. I don't think they are quite as good, but they come pretty close. I hope that as Kobe grows up he will have sweet memories of his childhood as I do. I want him to look back & remember our traditions. Hopefully he will continue some of them with his own family one day.