Enjoying Life... One Chapter at a Time: Christmas Traditions

Christmas is my favorite time of year. Nothing gets me more excited than lights, hot chocolate, giving and blessing others. Christmas has always been a special time in my family. As our family continues to grow and we are starting traditions of our own. I was blessed to be a part of my favorite tradition again this year.

Growing up, I only knew of one kind of tree. A real tree. I did not even know fake trees existed. I serisously thought everyone went out to the Christmas tree farm and chopped it down with a hand saw. I think it was about high school when I realized there was another kind of tree. I know sheltered.

But anyway, Friday after Thanksgiving, my family will load up in the truck and head out to the Christmas tree farm. We would discuss on the way there what type of tree we would get. Mom loved one, Dad loved another, the kids loved another. When we were younger, it would take a while to pick out what tree we would take home. It was a competition. Which kid could find the winning tree. Rows and rows of trees to pick from. We tell our favorite stories each year of the years past, and laugh about all the memories we have made going out to the tree farm.

Once the tree was selected, we watch Daddy chop it down. Then the boys would bag it and off we go to put up our family tree.

This has become a special tradition for our family.

Now, it takes less time to pick the winning tree, we have to take two cars and Daddy has passed the torch of cutting the tree down to Stephen. But one thing remains the same, family is still there.

Sadly, I have had to purchase an artificial tree, but I am determined to get a real one back into my house soon. Nothing says welcome home like the smell of a live Christmas tree.

This is a Christmas tradition I look forward to each year.