There is something I just love, love, love about a Christmas tree with presents piled underneath it. I like to get our tree up as soon as Thanksgiving is over as possible (and sooner, if Aaron wouldn’t veto the pre-Thanksgiving tree raising!) so I can maximize tree time. It also reminds me of college when we would string Christmas lights all over our dorm rooms so we didn’t have to use those God-awful fluorescent lights. They always seem so warm and cozy. It adds such a nice glow to the room.

I also love that our ornaments have meaning. Every time we go on vacation, we collect an ornament. And if we go someplace and can’t find them (I’m looking at you, all of Europe), then I order an ornament from Snapfish with a picture of us on that vacation instead. So it’s really fun to decorate the tree and relive all our trips. I took pictures of the ornaments but they didn’t turn out that great, so I probably won’t post them. Ditto the tree as a whole. I need to get out Aaron’s fancy camera and tripod and lens hood and flash whatever thingies he has to make pictures turn out gorgeous, I guess. Maybe one day…

I think the cats would also love the tree to be up all year, since they love hiding underneath it and tromping all over the presents. And eating the fake needles.

December always flies by, so I’m trying to suck as much enjoyment out of the season as possible. Bring on the gingerbread lattes, scented candles, peppermint shnapps, baileys, christmas cookies, and good cheer!