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Traditions – Our Christmas Tree
Allergic to pine trees as I child, we had an aluminum silver tree with a color wheel that reflected colors over the tree’s shimmering branches. Not a pine but served the purpose. Santa left presents under it and we sang carols around it. Our special ornaments were hung on the tree along with candy canes and blue, green and red balls.
These days, you can’t tell the real trees from the artificial. Our seven foot tree with large sweeping boughs to the ground is put up the day after Thanksgiving. Since the Blue Spruce is artificial, no problems with pine needles and drying out.
Christmas ornaments are a family tradition. We receive a special ornament all our own each year. This tradition is handed down from generation to generation dating back to the pioneers.
Our tree will never be a fancy designer tree with matching babbles and bows, but it is decorated with years of love. Ornaments range from Keepsake Frosty Friends, to handmade ones by friends and family. I’d guess there are over 150 ornaments we hang every year while reminiscing where the decoration came from and playing Christmas carols, joined by our parrot, dog and turtle. A relaxing and memorable start to our sometimes crazy Christmas season.
Homemade candy is another scrumptious and fun tradition. Fantasy Fudge, Divinity and my all-time favorite Beaver Dams. What are Beaver Dams you ask? Simple and tasty. Take a 12 oz. package of butterscotch chips, melt them in a double boiler, stir in half-package of crispy Chow Mein Noodles and one-half can (about 8 oz) of cocktail peanuts. Stir until all ingredients are covered with butterscotch. Spoon the concoction onto foil and let set. They look like beaver dams, thus the name. They taste fantastic.
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Born in Ireland, Brandy now works as a park ranger and trail guide in the park. During a full moon, Stefan and Brandy’s paths cross in a near physical collision on a trail. Their attraction is immediate and undeniable, almost as if fate demanded it.
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About the Author: Tena Stetler is a paranormal romance and cozy mystery author with an over-active imagination. Colorado is home; shared with her husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-five-year-old box turtle. With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, she sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of paranormal creatures telling her their tales. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Well, okay there are a few companion animals to round out the tales.
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Thank you so much for allowing me to share our Christmas Tree traditions and A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance with your readers. Happy Holidays!
My family had an artificial tree for similar reasons when I was a kid! I’m sure the technology to make them has only improved since then.
Your fudge recipe sounds delicious, by the way. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for stopping by. Yeah I have to agree the neighbor has a silver tree this year and it’s nothing like the one when I was little. Fiber-optics is incorporated in to the tree.
Your Beaver Dams are what we in the South call Haystacks!! One of my faves–along with Fantasy Fudge and Divinity. I smiled when I remembered the aluminum tree with the color wheel. And I, too, love my old ornaments. The ones my kids made years ago are my favorites.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year… And lots of sales!
Thank you so much Sandra! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Great post, Tena!
Thanks Judith! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Great post, Tena. I’d love to spend Christmas at your house. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for stopping by CB! You’re welcome anytime. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I remember making a candy with butterscotch chips, chow mein noodles and chocolate chips. Haven’t made it in years. Thanks for sharing your Christmas memories!
Thanks for stopping by. Hmmm. adding Chocolate chips to the mix might be good.
Tena, I remember those silver Christmas trees with the color wheel! Those were all the rage when I was a kid. Great post, Happy Holidays!
Thanks Laura! Happy Holidays to you and yours too!
Great post, Tena Traditions are what make it Christmas for many families. My mom always bought a funny looking, crooked pine or spruce. We kids always groaned. But she believed any “Charlie Brown” tree can be made beautiful. And it always was. Nowadays it’s artificial. But still beautiful. Happy holidays!
I am surprised to find several people I’ve talked to had experiences like yours and a Charlie Brown tree. Thanks for stopping by. Happy Holidays!
Hi Tena. Sorry, I’m late…your tree traditions sound enchanting. 🙂 Wishing you a very happy festive season with your family and loved ones.
Best, Anni xx
Thank you Anni! Glad you made it. Happy Holidays, enjoy your time with family and friends!
I remember we had an aluminum tree, but I don’t remember the color wheel, so I suspect we broke it early on, lol. We don’t tend to put up a tree but folks seem to give us ornaments…so maybe one of these days we’ll have to give in and get one! Happy holidays to you and your family.
interesting post
This looks promising, thanks.
Happy New Year.