There's a Tree in my Living Room

There it is.  The Fredlund Family Christmas Tree, V31.0

Odd tradition, killing a tree and covering it with lights and ornamentation.  What would people think if you hacked down a shrubbery in June and dragged it inside?  But we don't have to worry about such things, because we get a pass on our crazy behavior due to tradition.   Good thing.

One often sees lovely stylistic trees, all decorated according to a theme.  Ours is not one of those.  It is more of a free association tree with a heavy dose of family history.  Because the sheer number of ornaments we stash for potential display, it is impossible to get them all onto the branches.  Tastes and interests change, so our tree looks quite a bit different every year.

Gabriel?

We're big on angels.  We've got lots of them.  

I believe you can see an angel from every angle.

A fine gathering of angels at the top of the tree.
The musically-winged one presides over the preschool-generated
self portraits from the time when our kids were little angels.
Have the halos gone missing?

A cute little one.

We got this one from the Hallmark Company of Kansas City, Missouri.  We have procured a significant number of our ornaments from that fine producer of heartstring tuggers.  We've done our part to keep my friend Wes employed, and to keep those annuity checks rolling in for John.  

You don't have to thank us...we're just doing our part.  Or maybe you could send us some BBQ sometime...it's just not the same here.

Another Hallmark creation.
Santa rotates around inside the ornament, powered via a plug substituting for a light.
I wonder if the patent for the plug is still in force.

One of my favorites, this ornament reminds me of
the little blue car I had as a boy.

And still have!
Thanks to my kids for getting me a new airplane hood ornament.

And I suppose this really isn't all that much different,
although I don't have to pedal quite as hard.
But the MG could use an airplane hood ornament.

Here is the "Kids on Santa's Lap" ornament.
My out of focus photography provides a nostalgic touch,
don't you think?

We're also big on soccer ornaments.
Soccer Santa must have been the victim of a hard tackle.
He's losing control of the ball.

The photo of our dog is appropriately placed next to an angel.
She was a sweet soul.

Another historical marker above the festive tree skirt.
Skirt not kilt, so I'm guessing it's a female tree.

Icicle Santa, not some Hobbit nonsense.

 

Bobby, not Robert.

We picked up our English Bobby ornament in London when Bob and Coleen and their kids graciously invited us to stay with them.   Our luggage was lost, so we went to a department store to get some pants for our son.  While shopping, the clerks insisted that we take our daughter to "The Grotto," so she could see Father Christmas.

"So," said the jolly fat man, "you're here all the way from America. Tell me, little girl, what would you like for Christmas?"

"My luggage," deadpanned Kate.

"Oh, how awful," he replied.  "Air Canada?"  I had to smile at the correct insight.  Maybe he does know who's been naughty.

Pretty good coverage.

I accidentally discovered the secret to successful light stringing a few years ago.  The non-uniform distribution of not-quite-enough lights made me go to desperate measures.  I took the partially functional icicle lights I had removed from the house and stuffed them into the center of the tree.  Even without great care in placement, the central glow augmented the exterior illumination and distracted attention from my errors, eliminating further tedious fussing with light placement.  

Since then, I've started the process with strings of partially functional lights near the trunk.  

Another angel, made long ago by one of our kids.

The bird on purple, also made by one of the kids. 

I got the birdhouse ornament for Mary in 1995 and hid it away really well so she wouldn't find it.
I finally found where I put it in 1998, when I went to hide something else nearby.

And even though this illustration does not adorn the tree,
Our decorations would not be complete without a juvenile rendition of Santa.
Yes, I drew it...you can guess when.