Every year, I put up a Christmas tree to honor my beloved mother in-law, Mommy Barbara, who loved decorating for the holidays. This year, I told Tashi I am going to start putting up the Christmas tree early as I didn’t know how long it would take me to find and sort all of Mommy Barbara’s vast collection of Hallmark Christmas ornaments. I usually have a theme every year. Last year, I used her Miniature Collection. As I was going through each box, I realized most of the ornaments are mixed up and it will take a while to sort them all. I decided it would be nice to have an ‘Anything Goes” theme this year.
Truth be told, I don’t really like decorating. I only started Christmas decorating when I moved to America 14 years ago. It started on my first Christmas here. I helped Mommy Barbara wrap gifts and decorate two Christmas trees. It was a pain. I went home with my fingers sore and callused. Why, you asked? Because most of her Hallmark Christmas Ornaments are the Light and Motion type and we don’t stop until every ornament is moving/talking as they should. I told Tashi I will not help her again the following year. But I still did until the last Christmas we spent with her. Since then, I have been putting up a Christmas tree in remembrance of her.
So this year, I went with ‘Anything Goes’ theme. Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and Wonder Woman all made it to the tree this year. Barbie also got a spot along with Tigger and Piglet. Of course, my favorites Sylvester and Tweety and the very lovable Pooh made it as well. Princess Jasmine, Pocahontas, Princess Leia and Darth Vader were also given exposure this year. Mommy Barbara’s tree will not be complete without the lovely Peanuts, Chris-Mouse and Crayola characters.
I wasn’t bright enough to think that the light comes first before the ornaments. So last night, I finally added the lights. Although it was a pain to try not to knock down the ornaments as I wrapped the tree with the Christmas lights, I must admit, when I was finally done, the tree was magical to look at while listening to NKOTB’s Merry Merry Christmas song.
Mommy Barbara’s Christmas tree is not 100 percent done yet. I still need to find a tree topper. I wonder who/what will make it to the top of the tree this year. The quest begins.
Elena For Reels 