We have a tree! And I love it! Which is really saying something because last year? Totally hated the tree. Or more specifically, the way it was decorated. Just not pretty. So this year I had a Game Plan which included buying a whole bunch of stuff – red and gold glass ball ornaments, red garland… for the first time ever I wanted to have a color-coordinated tree, rather than a random mess of ornaments and whatever garlands we have around. Which means like half our ornaments didn’t make the cut this year (only red, white, silver, or gold colored ornaments made it onto this tree. I thought that would upset the kids. Nope, in fact it only upset me. Apparently I’m the only one with any sentimental attachment to our ornament collection!). But the greatest thing about this tree is that I did almost none of the work. Guess who did? Nope, not hubby – he’s got a sore rib, probably from putting up all the outside lights when he had a cold, so he’s out of commission on all heavy lifting jobs. My 10 year old did it! Yep, A~ was very motivated to get the Christmas tree up so I decided, why not let him try? We dragged the faux tree out of the garage and A~ put the whole thing together by himself. And then he put all the lights on too! K~ and I helped with the garlands and ornaments, but I can honestly say that without A~’s help, we would not have a tree up right now. Having an older child who can actually help out for real is awesome. (you know, versus the “helping” my younger kids do that often results in more work for mom, rather than less) And did I mention I love the tree? It’s sooo pretty! This is one of my favorite ornaments that made the cut – we got it at the Craft Link store in HaNoi and looking at it just makes me smile.
Speaking of shopping… you guys were such a great help! I bought this helicopter recommended by Melinda for my 14 year old nephew. And I made photo books at Shutterfly for all 3 moms (mom, stepmom and mom-in-law) per Nicki’s suggestion. (Though I gotta say, it was waaaaay more work than I intended – I did a 2 page spread for each month of 2007 and personalized each book with photos from the respective grandparent’s visit(s) and finishing all three books took like 2 solid days and my head was just numb after staring at the computer screen for so many hours.) And then while I was on the Shutterfly site I saw this book and I just had to get one for Zeeb. It takes the put-your-name-in-a-story thing to a whole ‘nother level and I think he’ll love it. Also, I got this Snoopy PSP game for my 10 year old nephew. My sister’s kids watch a lot more violence on tv and in games than my kids so I’m hoping he doesn’t think it’s too lame, but I just couldn’t bring myself to get one of those really graphic games and besides, who doesn’t like Snoopy? And for my oldest sister’s family gift, I’m giving them this down and fleece throw that I got on sale from Eddie Bauer. I figure it will be handy for all the cold days she and the kids are sitting on the sidelines watching one of the boys play football. For my other sisters’ family I got the Apples to Apples Jr. game and I want to wrap something with it – a popcorn bowl or something?
So, I’m making progress, but I still have more shopping to do and not a lot more time to do it, what with shipping time and all. But thank goodness there’s still a bunch of great ideas to check out in the comments – you guys have just the greatest, most creative ideas I’m loving reading through them. Keep them coming!
Your tree looks beautiful! I love trees that are color coordinated.
haha – I need to do photobooks too and have not started becuase the work IS daunting. How could something so simple be so overwhelming and time-consuming?!? It is!
Your tree is gorgeous! We have a color-coordinated tree (blue, silver & white) but I couldn’t stand not using our sentimental ornaments so we have another tree for those. And then we have a third tree that is a horrible pathetic thing (think Charlie Brown tree) that the little kids decorate and it has all the kids school ornaments through the years. And we have a forth tree but that’s just because
Anyway, just a thought for next year becuase it may be even harder to pass by the sentimental ornaments after TWO years!!
Nicki, that’s so funny, I actually want to have a second tree for all the ornaments that didn’t make the cut… I just have to figure out where to put it and oh yeah, buy it and put it up… You have 4 trees?! That’s impressive! Hubby thinks I’m nuts for wanting 2!
I have to laugh…..
Our tree is pitiful- absolutely pitiful! I would be sad if we didn’t use the sentimental ornaments….anybody can have a color coordinated tree- but what we have is a tribute to all of the craftiness of Sunday school teachers, grandmothers, mothers, aunts and 5 years olds spanning 3 decades-
YES! YES! YES! That is what is standing tall in my living room- A TRIBUTE TO CRAFTINESS!!!!
This is what I tell myself to feel better- b/c frankly- I would cry if we didn’t use the sentimental ones on the “real” tree- but I would really like a pretty tree….My mom never had a pretty tree until we moved out…..
I always have to have a color-coordinated tree! Ours is blue and silver (and I have to admit that I’m a bit of a freak and go as far as blue and silver Christmas wrapping paper to match my tree). I was going to suggest the two-tree thing since that is what my sister does and what I hope to do when my kids are older. She has the color-coordinated pretty tree in the front room and the ornaments that don’t match, but have sentimental value, in another part of the house.
My favorite part of Christmas was always helping trim the tree. Every year dad would put it up and mom and I would put the ornaments on. It holds so many wonderful memories for me. Chloe helps me trim the tree now, and while all of my blue and silver ornaments end up only in the bottom of the tree – I know that she enjoys it and she’ll have nice memories of it.
And – I really hope your nephew likes the helicopter (my husband still plays with his all the time
).
I love your tree! I’m going to put CraftLink on my list of must-see places.
I found a solution to the color coordinated tree/sentimental ornaments issue. We have a huge 7 1/2 ft tree. I bought a ton of large round ornament balls and garland in two colors (red and gold) and an angel that is non-negotiable for the top of the tree. The large ornaments balance out the hodge podge of sentimental ornaments, which continue to accumulate since both sets of grandparents give ornaments for Christmas. Although I love Nicki’s idea of multiple trees. Hmmmm… maybe I should pick up another tree on the after Christmas sales!!!
I love your tree! And I really love that A~ did most of the work.
I tried going for a red and gold theme a few years ago, but Ava (then 3) refused to let any ornament be left in the box. Ever since we just pile it all on until the boxes are empty. It’s a total hodge podge of decorations. I think I’m going to do a “Mom tree” and a “kid tree” next year and let the “kid tree” be for Santa presents Christmas morning.
And oh my gosh I LOVE your Vietnamese ornament! Just one more thing I should have bought over there.