Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...

Posted on | Friday, November 26, 2010 | 3 Comments

It's Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. This means two things: Firstly, that people who are truly insane will wait in line at 3am for retail stores to open and go on crazed shopping sprees; Secondly, that it is officially acceptable to put up one's Christmas tree and decorations without the backlashing scorn of neighbors and friends.


(Never mind that these photos were taken on a Wednesday afternoon, I waited until today to post them on my blog)

Our first stop of the day was to Target. It was mostly to watch the massive assemblage of people clamoring for the last can of Who Hash cranberry sauce. Although the fact that the Target nearest to our house has a built in Starbucks was definitely an added bonus. While meandering through the aisles we took a detour to look at Christmas decorations. Can you believe they are selling taffy by the yard?! Holy cow.

We also perused the lawn ornaments of varying lights, colors, and sizes. There are plans to become the house on the block that everyone wants to see, according to Alex. This makes me ridiculously excited. Christmas makes my heart 'splode with happiness.

Alex is excite at the prospect of owning exceedingly shiny ornaments.

Hee. It took much self restraint not to purchase this for myself. We tried to find an Elephant ornament, but sadly there were none. They had bears, fish, a camel, and frogs. But no pachyderms. WHAT KIND OF STORE IS THIS?

Kael and Alex selecting the perfect tree topper. Unbeknownst to many (including myself) this is serious man business. Not just any star or angel will do.


After Target we came home and Alex began to assemble our tree. Although I love the real thing, I don't enjoy the constant clean up of pine needles or the annoyance of dragging a half-dead tree out of the house at the end of December.


The super special Christmas tree topper!! Chosen deftly by the men of the house.


Shiny, colorful, and shatter-proof ornaments! Awaiting to be placed carefully on the tree. Gotta love adding a dash of color to the holiday season. Alex went on a quest in search of an elephant ornament, but after going to three Hallmark Stores (two of which apparently didn't exist - GPS you are fail) he came home downhearted and empty-handed. The solution? Make an ornament of course!!

Mixing together flour salt and water (for anyone interested it's 1 cup of flour mixed with 1/4-1/2 cup of salt and about 1/2 up of water) until it turns into a playdough like substance. Roll out the dough onto a baking sheet, skip the PAM, and cut out the shape you want your ornament to be. Whatever left overs you have can be used as homemade playdough for the kiddos. Win!

Alex is a seasoned sculptor. Only fair that he carve out the ornament.


And then tada! We have an adorable elephant ready to adorn the tree! Well, almost. First we have to put it in the oven on low heat for a little over an hour, then take it out to cool, and color it with pretty markers. Make sure to make a hole for the ornament to be threaded!

After much work we have the final result! Alex decided the elephant should be red. I see a tradition growing...

Hanging garlands like a pro. Yup.

Kael is an expert ornament hanger. I think it might be his most favorite part of the year. He keeps taking ornaments off the tree just so he can put them back on a different branch. Silly boy!



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Comments

3 Responses to “Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...”

  1. --Sharon
    November 26, 2010 at 5:13 PM

    We have that same tree topper!!!

  2. Anonymous
    November 26, 2010 at 7:07 PM

    what fun! I was just thinking it will soon be time to put ours up. It's beautiful that you are starting Christmas traditions together as a family. My parents still have the same star for their tree that they made 38 years ago out of an empty toilet paper roll and a cigarette package :) Mom wants to get a new one, but we won't let her!

  3. Fully Lugged
    November 26, 2010 at 8:00 PM

    We have that same picture of a small boy being lifted up to place the tree topper!

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About

Photobucket I was born and raised in California. I have also lived in Hungary, Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, and I will be moving again this summer. Kael is my incredibly awesome kiddo who is growing up far too quickly, and Alex is my fiance who makes me happier than should be legally allowed. I write about them a lot. I'm mildly obsessed with cooking and photography. I write about those things, too.

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