Our Christmas tree w/pictures

Unfortunately, due to family health issues, we have to have an artificial tree. For years we had a Mr. Christmas and it finally died and went to tree heaven. I don't know the brand of the current replacement but we shopped hard and didn't scrimp.

Lots and lots and lots of lights. Before the prelit tree I would wrap a strand of larger lights around the pole first to kind of glow through, then wrap each individual branch with whatever color of lights we decided to use; sometimes multi-color, sometimes clear. Each branch would be wrapped several times then the strand would be taken back to the pole area and the next branch wrapped. Lots of strands, lots of time.

This is a fairly new item we picked up on sale after season one year. It just adds a little umph to the tree. But it is is bit noisy and I usually leave it off. It is helpful for decorating..

We have used the same gold beads for 20 years. The smaller diameter beads go to the top and the larger ones on the bottom. Although I'm the only one who can tell the difference:)

This picture actually show one of my grandmother's old ornaments. We have 2 bells, 2 balls and two funny little birds, one pink & one blue.

No theme tree for us; well, I guess you could say the theme is History of the *** family". My sister started the kids with Hallmark collectibles when they were born; so they each have those. We have a lobster trap ornament (pictured) from our time in Maine and a few southwest style from living in Arizona. I have about 8 that were my grandmothers and have survived. As you can see the choices are very eclectic. But many of them are cherished.

Ahhh, a matter currently under discussion. We've had several stars, but Dad is all about the old fashioned glass ornament topper now. The current one is a bit too small for this tree so we are on the look out for a better one. We had a beautiful one, but it had a silver tip that got lost with a white ceiling, so it had to go.

Decorating the tree has been the job of Dad and the kids since they were tiny (the kids not dad). The truth is I spent so much time on the lights that I was tired of messing with it and that is how the tradition started. Each kid has their own box of their personal ornaments; the collections, the football / cheerleading ones, gifts from teachers, etc. and they work on those as dad pulls them out and removes them from boxes and packing. Then on to the big family boxes which include the ones made by the kids in school. It takes quite a bit of time but includes hot chocolate and Christmas music.

Gramma, Dad's mom, made us a tree skirt years ago. It is bright red and green and quilted. Not very classy but well loved.

The topper is on, thank goodness for a 6'4" son and we are done. Oops a minor adjustment here or there and now we are truly done. It pretty much looks the same every year. We've seen beautifully decorated store trees and themed trees elsewhere but ours is just right. I'm always surprised by the people who visit us during the holidays and go on and on about how pretty it is; because it is really just a plastic tree with lights and a very diverse collection of stuff.