O Tannenbaum

I've mentioned before that Australia is relatively unpopulated for its size - between that supply-and-demand issue and the persistent drought conditions, the Christmas tree farms that are ubiquitous in the States are relatively uncommon here. There are a couple in the Sydney area but nothing local, so every year we go over the same debate: do we get a fake tree that looks good (at least from a distance) or go out the the woods and chop down a real one that looks like it has mange but gives off that delicious pine smell?

We've done both in the past:

An obvious fake, about a foot tall - it was literally the only tree left in Darwin on our first Christmas together. Like the patchy paint on the wall? We were in the middle of a renovation. You can also see Ben's Horatio Hornblower set, which he inexplicably loves and I find torturous in the extreme.

Last year was our first Christmas in Bathurst and this special little guy graced our living room, courtesy of Ben and an axe. Well "grace" might be an exaggeration.

This year we went real, but a bit taller. And, uh - skimpier:

The trunk is a foot and a half too long because we don't actually own an axe (we had to borrow one just to get this tree), so we were kind of stuck with it once we got home. And yes, that's what a real, un-manicured mongrel pine from the wild looks like, folks. I'm just keepin' it real.

Anyone else having flashbacks to A Charlie Brown Christmas right about now?

Anyhoo, then it was time to bring out the decorations. For as long as I can remember, it's been a family tradition to watch King Kong while decorating - I know it's weird, but my dad is a huge fan and liked having something to distract him from the mess my sister and I made of the tree. Obviously this is a tradition that must be continued for the benefit of future generations.

I didn't realize this wasn't actually a Christmas movie until I was about 12. I may have been a little slow.

I won't torture you with a blow by blow account of the decorating, but I would like to say that I find it both peculiar and charming that Aussies and Brits call Christmas lights"fairy lights."

Hehe!

Ornaments are a big deal in my family. I know themed trees are all the rage, but there's no way I could ever do one - my ornaments are too varied, and most are too sentimental to leave off; my Nana used to give us kids an ornament every year, and my mom often sends new ones as part of my Christmas gift. I have so many wonderful memories associated with them - why on earth would I trade these in for generic baubles just so my tree is all one color or covered in teacups?

Possibly my favorite ornament. I just love the sweet, mischievous expression on this little lion's face.

Kind of an inside joke. This design first came out years and years ago - I think from Hallmark? - and my mother made a felt version out of it to decorate my childhood Christmas stocking (obviously, I'm the naughty one on the right) - since then I've been given it in all kinds of manifestations, from greeting cards to a popcorn tin to this ornament.

This sweetie was from my mother for the first Christmas I spent in Australia.

Of course he always goes near the top of the tree, in a tribute to King Kong.

Every year Ben and I each choose one special ornament to add to our collection. This tin angel was my selection this year. Actually, a lovely glass leaf was my first choice, but Ben snatched it off the shelf as his pick before I could grab it, the bully. I'm not showing a photo of the leaf out of protest.

We bought this sweet glass tortoise (turtle?) on our honeymoon in Hawaii back in May. I'm still amazed that it didn't fall victim to my half assed packing and smash into pieces on the way back.

This year I was also lucky enough to receive three awesome new ornaments from a friend in Canada:

Alyson didn't know this, but I very nearly chose a shoe themed ornament as my special pick this year - I'm so glad I didn't, because this one is much cuter! I love the look on the snowman's face: "Whoa. Dude. Where am I? That must have been one hell of a party..."

This sweet beauty is from Ten Thousand Villages - check them out, it's a great organization.

This is just so lovely - obviously, Alyson has great taste.

And so, after 104 minutes of Fay Wray's screaming, a Christmas tree was born:

Yes that is red tinsel. The rest of the year my home's decor is fairly understated, but I like my Christmas trees tarted up like a $3 hooker. Go figure.

No, it's not a great beauty. In fact, it's probably the scraggliest Christmas tree most of you have ever seen. It will never grace the pages of Better Homes and Gardens, and Martha Stewart would probably have a heart attack at the mere sight of it. Our tree isn't perfect, but it doesn't have to be - that's not what Christmas is about. Every time I look at those ornaments, I'm reminded of family and friends, of people I hold dear even though I'm half a planet away.

I love our tree.