Home With Keki: Tree Trimming Party For Your Family (kids mostly)

Seven years ago I began a new tradition for my little family. On the First of December we would kick off the holiday season by getting our fresh cut tree. We brought the tree hom and during the process of getting the lights on, having the baby trying to knock it over and daddy stressed about tangled lights, I almost screamed! No way could we decorate this tree, breastfeed, cook, etc, and stay sane. So, I picked up the phone and called my parents, my Aunt Mary and Uncle Pancho, and my in-laws. They came over and began to decorate the tree. Well, that was easy. BUT of course I felt that I needed to feed them, so I hopped into the kitchen to put together a little warm dinner.

The tree was done, the lights were up, and we ended the night around the table with a festive holiday family cheer. Most importantly, my son, only 1 at the time, began to experience the season of family and holidays without having to wait until December 24th.

Well, we continued this tradition every year. Picking up a tree and simply setting it in place. The boys would play and get all excited decorating the house while I began cooking in the kitchen for the arrival of our family to place the ornaments on the tree later that evening. What can make the tree-trimming party even more memorable, is to use ornaments with a story and memories. All our ornaments have a story. I try to get the boys a new ornament that represents them for that year. A trip, a sport, a toy, anything that provides a story of what they experienced that year. I try to remember to add the year on the ornament in permanent marker.

Here we are this year decorating the tree. Now, remember, in 24 days I spend the whole day in the kitchen cooking, so I try not to go over board with the tablescape and the dinner this night. It was a simple dinner with homemade mashed potatoes, roasted chicken, asparagus and a caprese salad. Dessert kind of sucked this year cause I thought it would be brought (hint hint) so we just threw some cut-up fruit and ice cream together last minute. So remember, don't wait till the 24th to get the family together for celebrate Christmas, have them over sooner to help keep your holiday cheer up!!

Source: http://homewithkeki.blogspot.com/2012/12/tree-trimming-party-for-your-family.html

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