Often, I think what would it be like to simply open my MacBook Air early in the morning and have my fingers begin to touch the keys on the laptop, and magical words and sentences would begin to flow effortlessly onto the page.
Ya -right. Not sure that's happened much.
Nevertheless, today, for example, I kick-started the process by doing an internet search for - "Christmas quote December 17."
I actually wrote this yesterday(Sunday).
As expected, far too many quotes and various sites and web pages sprang up. And there was no way I was going to spend any more than about 52 seconds looking for the perfect quote or quip to lead off on creating the most perfect "Christmas quote" post.
Luckily, this particular showed up about 48 seconds into the search.
Honestly, I've never heard of Charles N. Barnard and not that for our purposes does it matter much. Although, I'm sure he was or currently still is a wonderful chap.
However, this quote attributed to him does strike a certain cord within my soul - "The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect."
It's ironic that on Saturday, Lynn and I were talking about how this year, the Christmas tree we cut, isn't what one might consider as having the "perfect shape."
When it comes to the perfect shape for a Christmas, most of us would consider a tree that is more or less triangular in shape and full.
Like the ones in the picture.
Now, if you didn't know already, Christmas trees like this, do not grow naturally in the wild.
To get them to grow in this shape and fullness, it takes upwards of 10 years of careful work. That traditional shape and fullness(as you see in the picture) are achieved by pruning or shearing the trees each year after the trees flush their new growth (typically mid-summer). When shaping the tree, the farmers are striving to grow that classic Christmas tree shape and remove imperfections, such as double tops.
So, a lot of work is involved to get the "perfect Christmas tree" shape - that the vast majority of folks want for their family Christmas tree in their living or family room at this time of year.
I think it goes without saying that there is a cost associated with Christmas trees.
At least where we live now and where we lived in the past, the folks who grow Christmas trees typically don't give them away for free. Our experience has been whether you go and cut your own, or buy a pre-cut Christmas tree from a tree lot someplace - "ya'll gotta pay for it."
And typically, the more labor and work involved in getting your "perfect Christmas tree" to look - well perfect..... the higher the cost to you will be. When looking at places in our area of Nova Scotia to either buy a pre-cut tree or at a U-Cut farm, prices varied between $40 to $70 and up. Pre-cut trees tend to cost more.
Realizing that we are one week away from Christmas Day, there will be many of you(if not most of you) who have already been out to search for that "perfect Christmas tree" since you MUST HAVE that "perfect Christmas tree" type and shape. And Why?
Because Christmas would just simply fall apart and not be a Hallmark Christmas Movie level of Christmas at all if the tree wasn't perfect. Like - what would people think and say - if the tree wasn't perfect? The inlaws would think so much less of us.
But, doesn't the quote say - "All Christmas trees are perfect?" Why thank you - yes it does.
I guess what I'm getting at (at least in our household), the shape or style of the tree isn't the major point here. Yes, for some people the "perfect Christmas tree" is both the shape and includes the latest in the style of decorations for 2023 -whatever that style or theme might be. And if that's you - great.
This year, like other years, the shape of our tree is more or less Christmas tree-shaped. Sure there are more than a few branches that seemingly have a mind of their own - going off in all directions.
But, it's what's on the tree; the decorations and lights that hold the true meaning and value.
Lynn can pretty much tell you the history of each decoration on our tree. And there are way more than ten Christmas ornaments on it - believe me.
Our Christmas tree, as many other folks will have, is in essence a tree filled with memories and sentimental bits that take us back to years gone by. Special ornaments that belonged to grandparents at one time. Paper chains that our daughter made back in pre-school over 25 years ago. Ornaments Lynn and I bought while traveling. The list of memories that are on our tree goes on and on.
The perfect Christmas tree that MUST have the perfect shape and be festooned with the latest "Good Housekeeping - tree style and look for 2023", to me in many ways smacks of the commercialism that is rampant throughout the Christmas and holiday season.
A bit harsh and I get that. I'm not here to judge what people do or don't do in terms of a Christmas tree for their home.
We search for the "perfect Christmas tree" forgetting it's not so much the tree and all the while failing to recognize that "all Christmas trees are perfect."
--as always with love--
--- get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself ---
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