how lovely are your branches

i have what might be considered an unhealthy love for my Christmas tree. from the second i put it up, it makes me so ridiculously happy that i break out into a smile every time i see it. i can often be found in the evenings, relaxing in my living room, with it lit only by the tree and maybe the tv. i have joked (mostly) about cutting a hole in my bedroom wall to make a window so that i can fall asleep looking at my tree. and i get really sad when it's time to take it down. if i thought i could get away with leaving it up all year, i would very seriously consider it.

i don't have a themed tree. it's far more eclectic. old ornaments and new. gifts and those i've bought for myself. but there are some recurring themes on my tree: angels, stars, snowflakes, snowmen, jingle bells and gingerbread cookies--and anything sparkly!


the snowflake was a Christmas gift from my Dad back when i was still just a kid; we always searched for the perfect spot on every tree to hang it so that it would reflect the lights--which were always multi-colored, just like i have on my own tree now. the icicle to the right was one that used to hang on my grandparents' tree; though it is just the simplest of decorations, it is one of my prized possessions.

this angel was a gift from my grandparents one year. as i unpacked her from her tissue-paper lined box, i received an unexpected gift...

...it's amazing how something as simple as an old gift tag can become so precious. just to see my Gram's handwriting again...



i love that for almost every ornament on my tree, there is a special meaning. i love that it tells the story of my life. i wouldn't trade it for all the perfectly manicured, themed, decorated trees in the world.