Journaling reads: Growing up, we always had a real tree. We always made a big deal going down to the center of town, and picking out the tree each year. We had a large family, and we would spend the night decorating to Christmas music, with the fire lit, and maybe even snow outside, if we were lucky. Fast forward to 2009, with just the 3 of us, and Rachel often rushing off to be with friends, and Ron not into the decorating, it would be up to me to pick out the tree, get it home and somehow into the house, in the stand by myself trying to figure out how to get it straight in the stand, and then spending the evening decorating, with only the dog to keep me company. It seemed more like a chore. I finally decided a fake tree was in order, until I realized that once out of the box, it would never go back in, and took up so much room in the garage. Since 2009, we either had no tree, or put it up with lights only.

I found though, that I didnt like NOT having a tree - it just didnt seem the same, as many an evening, when the house was quiet, I remembered how I use to sit by the tree just gazing at the twinkling lights. It gave me sense of calm to just sit beside it and breath deep. I still was not prepared to go deal with getting it out of the garage, so I decided I would get a small - what I call a Charlie Brown fake tree. Not much to look at, but it is just a representation of what Christmas is. It is different for all of us, our meaning of Christmas.

So Rachel suggested she post on her facebook page that we had a 7 foot artificial tree up for grabs, wondering if anyone would want it, and within seconds, she started getting responses. She received so many that it was hard to figure out who should get it, but at least it is going to someone who might have the energy to put it up. We hope that the girl that ended up with it is happy with it in her very first place of her own. She seemed excited to get it, and I feel better knowing it is being used, and saved someone some money, as I didnt like it sitting in the garage. Who knows, after a few years of our Charlie Brown tree, I may be ready for a real one again - a small one?

New, and on Sale: http://www.oscraps.com/shop/home.php?cat=398
Everything by Anna Aspnes:

ArtPlay Palette Christmas Tree http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=32407&cat=398&page=1
Christmas Trees No. 1 http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=32398&cat=398&page=1
Doily Edge Overlays No. 1 http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=32396&cat=398&page=1
Also used:
ArtPlay Palette Shabby Christmas http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=32269&page=1
Fonts: Facebook Letter Faces, Skwirl, Fabulous 50s
***thanks for looking***