What?! You've been together for six Christmases and this is your first tree? To which I answer: "Yes." But then start to wonder why. Analyzing this from different angles, I offer several explanations.
Economical: Think of all the money we've saved not buying Christmas trees
Historical: We were away from home for all but one of those Christmases so, technically, didn't need a tree.
Psychological: I grew up with Charlie Brown Christmas trees. I don't think my dad ever paid more than $5 for a tree. When we'd go pick one out we'd thread pass by all the luscious, full, tall, beautiful, "pick me!"-trees, until we reached the very back of the Christmas tree lot where the scrawny, short trees drooped in humility. Maybe dad was teaching us a lesson about the true meaning of Christmas.
Geography: When we lived in Egypt, for lack of even a Charlie Brown tree, we kids colored, cut out, and taped the tree to the wall. When I was 19, alone in Australia in the Back of Beyond during Christmas, evergreens were also decidedly unavailable. Ditto for Christmases in Taiwan. So, yeah, Big Trees are not imprinted on my brain.
What happens when all of those factors conspire to reinterpret the status quo?
The economics: We heard of B&K Tree Farm from friends. Just up the road, this farm lets you cut down your own Blue Spruce for $15, any height. Plus free hot chocolate and candy canes.
The history: We're staying put for the holidays. Both kids are old enough to get a kick out of a tree.
The psychology: Now, here they are: Blue Spruces for a dime a dozen. We tried to find one that wasn't totally perfect. Like, the one we did choose has some brown patches. Yeah. We did that on purpose.
The geography: Oregon produces more Christmas tree than any other state.
For Karren and I in the front, it was a merry drive. The kids in back had an okay time, too ... when they weren't beating each other up (note to self: kids can get in each other's space bubbles, even when restrained in car seats). We dashed up Hwy26 to Banks,
tromped o'er the fields of ... dead weeds and mud, and laughed, and surveyed ... and then we found The One.
The One (the guy and the tree)
Note to those who mock a measuring tape: You can cut them shorter but you can't cut them longer. We left the measuring tape there for others to use who understand this sage advice.
Tradition in the making.
5 comments:
Bravo.
And I think you answered your own question: Two Kids Who Are Old Enough To Appreciate A Tree.
We always cut down a Christmas tree when I was a kid. Now we only buy one if we're going to be in town, which hasn't been that often. Last year we did; this year, we aren't.
I love your picture of The One(s).
That sure sounds like your dad... :) Charlie Brown Christmas trees are awesome though! They just make you love them for their imperfection...
What a beautiful tree!! Hey, we're sticking around the NW too for Christmas. My parents are coming here. Maybe, we'll take a trip your way... I'll keep you updated!
NICE! Our little tree came from Oregon. Sublimity to be precise. HAZAH!!
I think you guys are totally justified in this being your first Christmas tree. Although you could just get a fake one and it's paid off in a couple of years of use. I would really like to hear about your Christmas' in Egypt sometime!
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