A Tale of Two Trees

We have had a "country tree" for as long as I can remember. 

Probably because I LOVE that old-fashioned, hand-made look. 

And I'm the mom, and I buy the ornaments and decorations. 

I have been collecting those country ornaments FOR YEARS. 

I have even actually made a few.

(I made those really cool clear balls with the image of Christ... one of my forever favorites)

(Another favorite... the dried orange slices.  I made those about 15 years ago.  Just sliced some oranges, borrowed a friend's dehydrator, and presto... ornaments that have lasted longer than I could have ever imagined.  They look SO COOL when the lights are on.)

This year Bill, Mauri and my Dad decorated the country tree.  I had absolutely NO INPUT. 

They only used a fraction of my ornaments.  But it still looks lovely.  It still evokes that modern-old-fashioned feel that I love.

A few years back, my children COMPLAINED.  They were tired of the country tree. 

They wanted glitz.  They wanted sparkle.

So, wanting to please my children, I started the collecting process again.

My first attempts at a more tradional glitzy tree failed miserably.

I hated those trees.  They just didn't "go."

Last year I was determined to "make it work" (as Tim Gunn would say)

So I visited my friend Alexa, who had very beautiful, sparkling, glitzy trees in her home.

She had taken a class.  She shared her secrets.

I found an ornament that I LOVED. 

I loved the colors. 

I loved that it centered on the Savior

(which is, after all, why we celebrate).

Last year, the tree turned out okay.  I only had so much in my budget to spend on it. 

I would need more ornaments, more sparkle, more stuff.

The collecting process begins.  Again.

This year I have actually had a few compliments on my tree.  It must look okay.

I didn't have ultimate control of the decorating... I had LOTS of help

(and we were hurrying to make the early movie... you know, it's CHEAPER).

But I think I'm going to like this tree.

It may even "work" for many years to come.

It "goes" with my house and the room it's in.

It has the glitz and sparkle desired by my children.

It has been worth the effort.

O Christmas Tree!