People say the tree is the center of the home during Christmas. Around the tree is where you open presents, where you enjoy time with your family, and where individuality, tradition, and love is shown.
Now, the Christmas tree can have many forms: you can have the traditional sentimental tree with a baby’s first Christmas ornament and some filler; you can have an ultra-modern, uniform Christmas tree, limited to spherical ornaments and tinsel; or you can have what I like to call the “I don’t have time for this tree” where your mother just says slap on whatever ornaments we have. This often leads to your tree having a mix of the previously stated tree themes plus a random art project from second grade, a barbie doll ornament, and a collection of angels your great aunt started gifting your father in 1994.
This type of tree is my favorite, not because the other ones are bad but because the cranberry popcorn garland around it said “we made this together.” Also, the ornaments are part of our story, including the ones with a cracked corner to the incredibly descriptive ones that make our family and tree unique.
In fact, everyone has their own tradition whether it’s certain ornaments on your tree, going to a Christmas tree lot to choose your tree, including holiday family pictures, singing Christmas songs way too early in the year, baking applesauce cake, or having a bowl in the kitchen reserved for oranges with cloves sticking out of them.
The students here at Weddington have a plethora of holiday traditions. Jullia Young makes Christmas cookies with her Mimi, Suahni Doshi goes to Mcadenville, decorates Christmas ornaments, and walks through the neighborhood to look at lights. Riley Harrington practices her white chocolate and raspberry cookie recipe with her mother. Whatever your family does this season, little traditions make the holiday season extra special and that’s what matters.
The tree may be the center of the room, but the Christmas spirit comes from you. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday break, and if you want to tell us your own Christmas or holiday traditions Please add your comments below!
