tradition

 It has been my tradition for many years to put up my Christmas tree sometime during Thanksgiving weekend.  For at least 43 years it has been the same tree.  As my spouse says, I have certainly gotten my money's worth out of this tree.

I have always encouraged any children or grandchildren who were around to help with the decorating.  

Today was the day and my helpers, in addition to my spouse were one son, one granddaughter and her boyfriend (the one she says is "the one").  He is very nice so I approve. 

I read a description in a novel recently of an 'old fashioned' artificial Christmas tree, the kind where you stick the branches in the trunk one branch at a time.  When I read that description I realized they were talking about my kind of tree.  

This morning I got the tree assembled and this afternoon my helpers strung the lights.  Now I can take my time hanging ornaments.  I have many!

Happily we also had plenty of time for snacking on apple pie and playing "5 Crowns" (a vicious card game which I lost spectacularly).  This is just the way an afternoon of tree decorating should go.  The season is off to a good start.

And here's my tree, festooned with lights and waiting for the ornaments.