christmas traditions // NO. 1 | THE KLACKNERS

11.26.2013

christmas traditions // NO. 1

every year, the weekend of Thanksgivng, my dad and i go together to get our christmas tree. we look through several to find the right one, twirl them to make sure there aren't too many bad spots, and then i carry it to the car. my dad, always being the gentleman, offers to carry it, but i, being the independent woman that i am, politely refuse. ;) my mom usually stays home and starts decorating the back porch. my dad and i come home with the tree and get started on the front of the house. i decorate the porch railings and he takes care of putting lights on the landscaping. then he puts on the tree lights, and we decorate the tree together that night while listening to classy christmas music.



this year, since i'll be in colorado for thanksgiving, we got our tree a week early and did all of our decorating. my family will be all over the place for the next few weeks and i didn't want to wait until mid-december to get a tree. that's just unheard of! ;) i need AT LEAST a full month of christmas decorations. can i get an amen?

growing up, we had an artificial tree. you know, the ones where each layer of branches has a color assigned to it so you know where it goes? i loved putting it together because it was like a fun puzzle. i didn't know that there were far better things ahead. we donated our artificial tree a few years back and decided to go all out with a real tree. my life was changed forever. the experience of picking out a new tree each year is so fun and you can't beat the christmas tree smell. goodness gracious. it's one of my favorite things in the world.


also, our dogs sprout reindeer antlers every christmas. it's pretty magical. little baby reindogs.

so what are your christmas tree traditions?
Robyn Black said...

love the reindeer :) so cute! we grew up with an artificial tree too & i just love picking out real trees! normally my parents go to a parking lot of trees to get theirs - but my husband & i are going to a tree farm where you can cut down your own tree this year & that will probably be our tradition we're starting :) also, we are going to cut a tree slice off of the bottom of our first tree & make a "our first Christmas" ornament out of it!

Amy said...

ah - I love it! :)
we've had a few real trees here and there but right now (and for the last few years) we are sporting an artificial, it's just easier for us for now hahaha.
holiday traditions - watching 7 brides for 7 brothers, hot chocolate, magic cookie bars, presents, the gospel of Luke, and lots of family time! :)

Amanda said...

Your blog is so cute- I'm so glad I stumbled across it! "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Album is a staple for tree decorating in our house :)

agodfashionedlife said...

Totally agree that you need a full month of Christmas decor!


http://agodfashionedlife.com

Elizabeth Mayberry said...

amen! (that is the amen you asked for!) this is my first real tree. this year. this year!

Megan McIlvaine said...

and i get to go with you to pick it out!! don't worry, i will photo document the event for you and bruce.

Megan McIlvaine said...

at least! :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

thanks ma'am! ahhhhh....charlie brown is the best!

Megan McIlvaine said...

mmmmm gospel of Luke...that's another part of our traditions for another day. love it. :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

oh my goodness! why did i not think of that! next year i will totally be making an ornament :)

Christina | Sweet Lavender said...

I LOVE YOUR NEW PROFILE PIC!

Megan McIlvaine said...

thanks!! ;) i know thanksgiving hasn't even happened yet, but i was too excited to wait to put it up! haha.

Kiki said...

Real trees are definitely the way to go. There's something about picking out the tree each year, smelling the branches, and decorating the tree with real branches that is essential for my Christmases. Looking forward to next week's(?) edition! :)

Jenny Fish said...

Aw, I love your Christmas tradition! And I love even more that you have a real tree. My family always had a real tree when I was younger. It made the whole house smell like Christmas. Then, we realized that I had pretty bad allergies, and the tree wasn't helping. But, Mom has done a great job of making the fake tree just as beautiful. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Allison Renner said...

I love Christmas traditions. So sweet you and your Dad get a tree every year. Have so much fun in Colorado!

Megan McIlvaine said...

thanks lady! i'm so behind in catching up on comments. oops! i did have a wonderful time, though. hope y'all had a great weekend! i need to catch up on all my blog reading soon...i haven't gotten to stop by in a while!

Megan McIlvaine said...

aw sad! allergies. but that's sweet of your mom to try to make everything just as great :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

so i totally stick my face in the tree to smell it. it's one of my favorite smells. this week's edition is up! a little shorter, but still a fun tradition! :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

we sometimes keep our tree up a couple weeks into january. shhhh don't tell ;)

Jessie said...

amen to a month long of Christmas décor! what a fun tradition you have with your family. I'm getting excited for Christmas too.