Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Ghost Of Christmas Past #1

I have a self-imposed tradition. Well, I have a lot of them, but now I'm talking about one in particular. I always take the holiday tree down on New Year's Day. I just do. So, in honor of this year's tree and those from the past, I thought I'd highlight some of the ornaments that have graced our trees over the years.

The blue bird of happiness.

First up, one of my favorites. A bird feeder, filled with seed, and a little blue bird. This one always makes me smile.

Behind it, on the right, is the frame our friend Sue made (or had made) in 1996 with a photo of our since departed Collette. Also visible, one of about a dozen plastic apples that I bought one year, and the wooden cranberry strings.

I actually used to string fresh popcorn and cranberries for the tree. After more than enough years of that I saw these wooden berries at Crate and Barrel and said what the heck. It's much less trouble.


  1. Taking down the tree on NYD was always our tradition growing up at home. This year, ours is down already back in Portland -- since we're in New York for the new year! I refused to have to come home to a decorated house and work to do.

  2. My Gran did the popcorn thing - and always put them out of doors afterwards for the birds to have.

    In our house the tree has to be down by NYE or something bad happens, apparently.

  3. I strung popcorn and cranberries as a child, but our kids weren't too interested, so I stopped. I think your beads are an excellent solution. Can you find cranberries in France? Somehow, I don't think so...

  4. alewis, I think you did the right thing. Dealing with that after a nice trip doesn't sound like fun.

    ur-spo, I like to leave it up for NYE just for the lights.

    chris, Cranberries are difficult to find in France, but not impossible. Unless, of course, you live in St. Aignan.


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