After last week’s post about the rushing of the holidays, I admit I’ve fallen into the trap laid out by merchants and radio stations alike. I’ve started shopping and planning.

It got me thinking about our Christmas tree. I like a short tree – about four feet tall because I can set it upon a chest in my living room and don’t have to move every piece of furniture to make it happen.

I saw some live ones at the grocery store last week and I remembered (or did I dream?) that I we threw our fake out last year. It was awful and the ones I really like (in the fake category) are priced out of this world. I know if I stopped to think about the cost over several years, it would be more reasonable. I still have my mind focused on my list which also requires money. An expensive tree isn’t it.

Over the decades we have had many different types of tress. My grandparents often flocked their real trees and added tinsel. Old fashioned ball ornaments with remnants of flocking on them hung next to homemade ornaments from us grandchildren.

In our home growing up, there was also a real tree with homemade ornaments. Garland of red and green construction paper fought for space with the popcorn strands. Popcorn was only done for a couple of years – we soon lost interest in stringing it and voted to eat it instead. For many years, tinsel also graced our trees.

When my dad and stepmom moved to Burlington, Wisconsin, the tradition of tinsel followed. It must have given my dad a sense of his childhood. He only spoke German until he went to first grade. Other traditions of Midnight Mass at St. Therese Hospital was followed by a typical German (and European) breakfast of sliced sausages and ham, rye and pumpernickel along with crusty rolls and stinky cheeses. How I long for those breakfasts now.

So this year, I think that real tree will find itself graced with tinsel. I also think my dad would approve.

photo: circa 1940 – from left to right: Grandma, Aunt Regina, Grandpa and my dad Leo