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Subscribe This is one of those projects that cause Morgan to say, “You’re so insane.”
I’m a big fan of real Christmas trees. Whether we go out in the woods to choose one and cut it down, or pick one out in front of a store, a real tree is Christmas to me. And maybe because when I was growing up, my parents always had a fake tree. In similar fashion, Morgan–who has almost always had a real tree growing up–longs for a fake one.
The human spirit is so contrary.
I turned this Christmas tree issue over in my mind for weeks. While I love real Christmas trees, they can be a hassle to handle, getting them in and out of the house, in the stand, and so on. Do I really want to handle a real tree on my own? They have some truly lovely fake trees now that are pre-lit (no tangling with lights!) and some that are “slim” trees that would fit perfectly in my small living room. I looked at various slim pre-lit trees, mostly in the 7- to 8-foot range. The nicer ones were a tad expensive, but if I’m going to buy a fake tree, it would be smarter to make an investment in one I truly love, not just buy a quickie cheap one that I would eventually be dissatisfied with and want to replace. I can’t afford a nice fake Christmas tree right now.
Meanwhile, I was distracted by brink-of-winter preparations at my new farm, much more focused on hay and fencing for the animals, and trying to get the house painted and feeling like my own. As the temperatures got a little colder, it hit me that there was no coat closet here, so I’d turn over in my mind the need for a coat tree or there would be coats scattered all over the house all winter. Then I’d remember the Christmas tree and think about that again. Then I’d spend the day getting hay and forget all about my other winter conundrums again. Then I’d wonder how I was going to paint that very tippy-top part of the wall over the stairs.
Then I’d worry about the fact that we had no Christmas tree again.
THEN I HAD A BRAINSTORM.
So I went to K-Mart and bought an inexpensive coat tree for $29.99 and two packages of plastic green hangers for $1.79 per package and I came home and put the coat tree together.
And hung the green hangers on it.
And strung lights and garland.
And decorated it with ornaments, balls, dried orange slices, cookie stars, and gingerbread men.
Morgan came home and said, “That is NOT our Christmas tree!”
Then she got on Facebook and started sending pictures of the tree to everyone she knew. They called it epic and the best tree they’d ever seen. She brought a friend home for the weekend and her friend said she wished it was her Christmas tree. Every time someone comes over, she can’t wait to show them the tree. Me, too. The tree makes people laugh, and that’s a good thing.
I’m not quite done decorating it yet. I’m planning to add more ornaments and some popcorn garland–if I find time to make it. But here’s the tree:
Now Morgan loves the tree, and so do I. There are many years and many Christmas trees along life’s road, and most of them are forgotten or blend together in the haze of time. But one day, Morgan is going to be decorating a tree with her children and she’s going to say, “Let me tell you about the time Granny Suzanny didn’t have enough money to buy a tree and you know what she did…..”
Yep.
Best Christmas tree ever.
And even better?
After Christmas, I’ll have a coat tree!
P.S. I haven’t figured out yet how to paint the tippy-top of that wall yet. Perhaps I need to find a holiday into which I can work a ladder purchase.
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on December 13, 2011
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My grandmother used to make pretty trees from thorn bushes and gumdrops.
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Necessity really is the mother of invention. One tree-less Christmas I put the ornaments in and hanging off of one of those three tier metal hanging baskets in the kitchen.
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You were lucky to find green hangers!
And ditto to jane’s comment, fake trees are really cheap after Dec. 25. Mine is a skinny one, takes up a lot less room.
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MN Mona
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I love your creativity!
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Morgan get with it and do something like that in your room for Christmas.
I’m LOVING the tree!!!!!
How do the cats like it, are they staying off?
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Maybe you could challenge Morgan to see what she comes up with for her room. Make it a contest. Real or artificial pine trees not allowed.
Trees will come and trees will go, but this one will be fondly remembered forever as your very first tree at Sassafras Farm.
ENJOY!
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Maybe next year you can buy a small evergreen bush or tree and put it in a pot or bucket with soil. Then after the holidays you’ve got something to add to your landscape. I remember my dad and mom looking around on a family member’s farm for a small evergreen to dig up for Christmas. Then you have something outside to decorate.
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For your paint problem, try using a broom handle attached to your paint roller. It should fit right in the handle of it.
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It’s funny, but I don’t recall any tree as “special” since. They all looked pretty much alike except for that first one. I’m sure that many years from now, the same will happen to you and this special tree also.
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Blessings from Ohio…Kim
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I love how you instinctively know how to hook Morgan into your funny, prudent, life embracing schemes. She is learning so much being around her very unconventional, but loving, mother. I know you miss your mom.
This tree is a tribute to her, and the courage she somehow bequeathed to YOU !
laur/st. louis
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Seriously, I think it’s probably one of the most unique trees I have seen in a long time and absolutely adorable!
Merry Christmas Suzanne….heavy emphasis on the “merry”
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Looks like you’re in good company!
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Mrs. Turkey
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It certainly is unusal, I was guessing a lot of different trees, but nothing like this one!
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YES, memories are made this way…
~~Peace & Love & Healing & Blessings~~
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I saw this one made out of a ladder and I wish I had thought of that.
We have a fake tree I bought on sale after Christmas a few years ago. That is the best time to look for fake Christmas trees they are 1/2 off or more. On it is a collection of ordiments we collect though out the years. From old to new to hand made.
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Mama Carpenter in AZ
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