And American Express never even hung up on me or sent me to some kind of "hold/Alternate Universe" to stagnate for all eternity! So they really are getting to be on the "nice" list. But Delta? They SCARE me!
Now, on to more festive, happier things! Maria asked about the errant Flamenco dancer and the back story on that ornament.
That's the thing about Christmas trees and ornaments; one way or another they come to resemble your family and philosophy about family.
Our tree is, shall we say, "eclectic." If I were a highly controlling, highly organized, person (shush, offspring!) I'd have "rules" about the ornaments. But there are none. Everyone gets to pick an ornament every year.
And it goes on the tree.
In childhood, I remember one year, we "had" to have our tree decorated in the style of my dear Auntie "I". Antie "I" made little poof balls, that kind of look like modern day loofsahs, in various bright colors. And that was all that was allowed on the tree. It was really lame. Whenever I take my glasses off and look at ornaments, and just see a ball of amorphous, feathered light, that's what the tree looked like.
Our trees now are decorated with ornaments that have quite a range of stories and personalities and mysterious origins. The Flamenco Dancer that piqued Maria's curiosity is on a miniature Fiesta Ware dish. Doug gave it to me in 1997, because he spotted it somewhere, and I collect Fiesta Ware. There's no logic why such an object should be on our tree. I mean, why are there half moons, and miniature Christmas Story leg lamps, Star Trek figures, Barbie dolls, and fish with big lips on our tree?
Nobody knows, but someone liked it, it came from somewhere, and all are welcome on the tree unless they misbehave!
10 comments:
I think that big-lipped fish (who bears more than a passing resemblance to Angelina Jolie) must be a gourami--aren't they the "kissing fish"? I love eclectic trees--they are so much more interesting than a "theme" tree!
I love your tree! My mother was like your aunt, she had to have a perfect theme tree and all the ornaments we made as children were left in boxes somewhere. Our tree isn't quite as awesome as yours, but I'm working on it. :)
I did not know you collected Fiestaware! I did notice one of their pitchers on the photo of your kitchen the other day, but I thought it was just a random piece. And this is the first Fiestaware ornament I've ever seen! Very cool!
I enjoy all sorts of Christmas trees. I've done themed trees and I've done eclectic trees. I like them both. Interestingly enough, some of the ornaments that the kids picked out when they were little, they no longer want hung on the tree, so the boxes are still holding various sports ornaments, Harry Potter ornaments, wooden ornaments from when they were little . . . I just watched the White House Christmas Special and the theme this year was "Sinmple Things." It's amazing what can be done with a theme . . .
Themed trees are what the mini trees are for around here; the big main tree is a collection of ornaments from when I was a child to items made and selected by the kids over the years. Angelina Jolie - hehe, Pat - my thoughts exactly.
Oh, I love the quirkiness of a tree with random ornaments. I have quite the klassy tree myself ;)
I've never done a themed tree, nor do I plan to. Too much pressure for me. In fact, this year all I did was put our fake tree together, helped with the lights, and then stuck on some pine scented sticks. The girls had free reign over what they wanted on the tree. They had a blast and Mommy doesn't hover at all. Win, win! And it came out very nice, to boot.
Love your eclectic tree!!
Love that fish!! And you have some great ornaments - jealous here :)
Love them and love that all your fun ornaments are welcome :)! Once upon a time I tried to have a "themed tree" but that sure didn't last long. I think mixed ornamental tree's are so much more fun! BTW, thanks for you comment on my blog. I'm happy to post a tutorial soon for you!
i love how beautiful your pictures of the ornaments turned out!! what kind of equipment are you using?
Those are so neat!!! They're almost enough to make me want a Christmas tree!
You know, my first husband was Christian and I used to do the whole Christmas decorating thing, ornaments, lights, the whole kit and caboodle. But when I was nine months (NINE MONTHS!) pregnant with my son (born Dec. 18), one day I was out with his mom hammering up all those darn lights around the outside of the house and he was sitting inside watching football, I was like, "I'm not doing this ANY MORE! It's HIS darn holiday!!!!!" We (I) never decorated for Christmas again. And to this day, he probably thinks it's because I'm Jewish and to a certain extent he'd be right because I didn't have any emotional attachment to it, but really - don't offer to help your 9 months pregnant wife to decorate for your holiday?!?!
In any case, I've never, ever missed the decorating, except a little bit when I just saw this picture - those look so fun!
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