Thursday, December 17, 2009

o christmas tree, o christmas tree...



the world is covered in a blanket of fresh, white, fluffy snow. and while that brings joy to my heart and makes everything seem fresh and new, it also keeps me indoors because it's pretty friggin' cold out there to go with it (-7C). it'll also make it a bit problematic for getting our christmas tree this weekend, because how do you shake all that snow off before you bring it in the house?


last year's tree

and i've been thinking about the christmas tree. for years (and i mean like 20 years), i've been collecting shiny purple ornaments, adding a few new ones every year. and there are many that are meaningful and which i love getting out year after year, but suddenly, this year i'm not sure purple feels right. and most of what i've got for the tree definitely isn't handmade (except for that nordic sun symbol that's on top) and i'm in this handmade mode and wondering how to reconcile that with my glitzy purple tree. especially since i haven't made any ornaments this year and it's getting a bit late if i should embark on that now.



when you think about how nature can decorate the trees, it seems rather pathetic to even try to trim the tree with all that fake glitz and spangle, even as much as i love shiny things.  maybe next year i'll felt a bunch of old sweaters into homey new ornaments, like trinsch did. maybe i'll go out to the blue room and make up a few of the spool birdies and it'll make me feel a bit better.

but i sound a bit more depressed than i mean to and than i really feel...i'm looking forward to christmas. sabin loves it so much and i've gotten her some really nice clothes and some games and lego and some fun stocking stuffers (think robots) that she will love. we'll have wonderful food with friends and family, starting already tomorrow. we've been baking up a storm while it stormed outside. so really it's all good. i think i'm just trying to reconcile my new thoughts on consumption with the old me and with tradition. it's a journey, what can i say?

11 comments:

Lisa-Marie said...

I think your tree looks very cute. Perhaps you could go with the purple and sparkly, and you and Sabin could make some easy decorations - paper chains and beaded wire ones. use them to replace some of the non sentimental ones, and keep doing so each year. we hae a base set of ones that were my mums and dave's families, and each year we add a few.

Polly said...

Ah, that's a lovely and sentimental post, Julie, I suddenly feel Christmas spirit present even though I'm at work, reading blogs while I should be reading something very different...

Sounds like your tree will be gorgeous, once you manage to get it inside of your house. In the meantime, I also love the ones outdoors dressed in snow and frost, I prefer them as Christmas trees in fact

Zuzana said...

Beautiful images. I agree with you, nature does the trimming much better.;)
xo
Zuzana

Ju said...

These pictures are gorgeous and very Xmassy indeed. I feel slightly jealous of this perfect setting. That view... sigh...
Enjoy your holidays, wish you, hubby, Sabin and sister the best Xmas.

Ju xx

will said...

Your top photo is exceptional.

Just be comfortable.

Lorac said...

This year you could mix the old with the new home made variety. Have a little less glitter and a little more made with love. What ever you decide just enjoy it!

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

Perhaps you can get wide silk ribbon and tie bows in lots of places on the tree? White ribbon, purple ornaments - or more Christmasy, red bows?

p.s.
The Word verification I get for this spells "crisis" :-O

Char said...

who says that repurposing can't be glitzy sometimes? because if you don't use the ornaments, isn't that waste of already spent money? just wondering and all that. the thing is not to add new unless it's homemade, maybe?

Cyndy said...

Purple is such a lovely color this time of year. It is warm, yet exotic. Not much different than you!

Our tree is such an eclectic collection of ornaments, but I do see that more recently we have been leaning towards more of the gifts that are offered by Mother Nature. We have birds with beautiful feathers, glittery pine cones, vines of beaded berries and snowflakes. I mix that with ornaments that signify something special for each one of the kids and I have a family history in the making, to be enjoyed year after year.

I love your star! And the ideas of the others that you linked. I have no doubt that you and Sabin will whip something up, either this year or next, when you are in your new house (which would be a great time to start new traditions).

Either way, wishing you and yours the best of the holiday season: time with family and friends, time to reflect and plan, time to enjoy the simple things offered throughout the season. Merry Christmas!

Mari Mansourian said...

hey you can always cut our ornament shapes out of colored craft paper, and make a string of popcorn to go around the tree, we actually did that one year and it looked really nice... enjoy the time with your friends and family :)
happy christmas to sabin..it's the best time for kids huh?

spudballoo said...

How about an outside tree? I really like them outside, and feel so grateful to the people who dress their front gardens for our viewing pleasure.

I enjoy my tree every year. But fear it's too 'tasteful' for my children. No tinsel, no baubles, no colour really..just very 'arty' and elegant decorations, many collected over many years and from all over the world, white lights..

A bit understated I think!

xx