Decorating 10 mini-Christmas trees in 20 minutes probably isn't recommended. I should have fluffed them out a bit first, and I could tell that their lack of perfection concerned others. I should have said, "Go ahead. Finish them however you wish." And meant it.
I realize that my version of Christmas decorating had been started by my mother many years before. She let us put the tree up, and then she basically left the room. We had the decorations and could do with them as we wished. She didn't complain, or comment, if I remember correctly. She may have told us, "Lights first," but I'm not sure.
She let us enjoy the process and our creativity. I'm sure it was easier for her to do as she had her hands full with her day-to-day duties. I'm also sure our decorating would never have won any positive awards. But, the end result was that our mother won all our hearts for nurturing us as she did.
In her later years, I realize she may have regretted allowing me so much freedom in my creativity. My Christmas cards moved away from traditional good cheer and took more of a Bad Elf phase.
Now, I see myself returning to the traditions...but maybe not entirely. Ten trees in 20 minutes. And without glitter or spray paint.
Merry Christmas!
Photo: My dining room table and a traditional Christmas display.
I realize that my version of Christmas decorating had been started by my mother many years before. She let us put the tree up, and then she basically left the room. We had the decorations and could do with them as we wished. She didn't complain, or comment, if I remember correctly. She may have told us, "Lights first," but I'm not sure.
She let us enjoy the process and our creativity. I'm sure it was easier for her to do as she had her hands full with her day-to-day duties. I'm also sure our decorating would never have won any positive awards. But, the end result was that our mother won all our hearts for nurturing us as she did.
In her later years, I realize she may have regretted allowing me so much freedom in my creativity. My Christmas cards moved away from traditional good cheer and took more of a Bad Elf phase.
Now, I see myself returning to the traditions...but maybe not entirely. Ten trees in 20 minutes. And without glitter or spray paint.
Merry Christmas!
Photo: My dining room table and a traditional Christmas display.
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