My Backyard

On our way back from the local L.L.Bean Store on Saturday we saw at least a half dozen cars with the family Christmas tree lashed to the roof. Neighbors were holding “decorate the tree parties” this weekend. I can never remember whether the “decorate the tree weekend” or the “bake cookies with the neighbors weekend” comes first.

This year it seems our younger friends are buying real Christmas trees. Artificial is out. Natural is in. Some of them are buying living trees, roots and all. After Christmas, said tree will be planted outside in the yard. Sage advice: dig the hole now.

As empty-nesters this year, my spouse and I will be picking out our tree. Even our away at college boy will not be home early as he is working on campus on a biotech project. There will be no children along to help with our decision in picking the perfect tree. We do not have set criteria. We will know it when we see it. About the only thing we do decide before our purchase is where it will go in the house. Some people are tree in the corner people. Some people are tree in the middle of the room people. I am a middle guy. I think my spouse is a corner type.

The tree in the corner folks make good arguments. Most real trees have a better side. The not so better side can be turned into the corner. The cornered tree is less likely to be tottered over by cats, pups or tots. The cornered tree is more readily plugged into an outlet. And, of course, when presents are opened, everyone is in front of the tree.

The middle of the room tree has to be symmetrical. It should be stabilized to the ceiling or to at least two corners of the room. It is easier to trim with lights and ornaments. I always wonder why we put ornaments on the cornered side of the tree. There is more room for presents. You can gather around the tree on Christmas morning. You will not be constantly shooing cats, pups and tots from behind the tree.

I think, in the house we live in now, it will be the cornered tree for me. I would essentially have to clear the dining room or the living room of most or all of the furniture to make the gathering around the tree scenario play out. If we used the living room the tree would end up directly in front of the fireplace. It would not be good if the jolly old man himself stumbled into the tree.

The tree would be in front of the stockings hung by the chimney with care and those stockings delight each of us every Christmas. We always empty our stockings last on Christmas morning. Good things come in small packages. Santa’s helper surprises even me with what is in my stocking.. This year I think I will ask her if I can be Santa’s helper and do her stocking.

Until next time.