Oh Christmas tree

This past spring, while cleaning out my childhood home, I came across our aluminum Christmas tree from the early 60s.  What blast from the past.  It was still in its original box and each tree branch was still in it's brown paper wrapper.  I couldn't pass it by, it was part of my childhood - so I brought it home.

For the past couple weeks I've been busy decorating for Christmas.  Living in northern Michigan we always have a real tree for Christmas - we live in the woods.  So I decided the aluminum tree will go up in my studio.  With the Mid-Century furniture the tree will feel right at home.

I opened the box containing the aluminum tree and it was all neatly packed just waiting for someone to remember and celebrate Christmas with it.  The revolving stand with flood lights was even in this box.  I plugged in the stand - the lights worked, but the revolving holder didn't move.  Darn, but I decided to put the tree together to make sure everything was there before messing with the stand.  One by one I pulled the branches out of their sleeves inserting them into the trunk as I remember doing as a child.   Low and behold every branch was there and it looked just how I remembered. 

The task of decorating was next.  I couldn't put the same assortment of ornaments on this tree like the one in my family-room - it had to be simple.  I remember my mother always had all turquoise ornaments and one year all red.  I will stay with that concept.  With a handful of green and red glass Christmas ornaments I already owned  I decided this would be my color scheme. I began searching the stores for green and red glass ornaments - everything was so picked over.  Christmas decorations have been out for three months.  In fact, Valentines stuff is already in the aisles.  Yikes!  However, I did find a couple boxes of glass green and red ornaments.  

My aluminum tree is decorated and I love it.  As a child I would spend hours gazing at the shiny ornaments with the tree all lit up and turning.   So here she is spending another Christmas with me and now my family.

I found a surprise in the box with the tree - there was a handful of my younger brothers plastic soldiers from the 60s.  They did a great job defending this tree.  I couldn't even see traces of a creature stirring or even a mouse.  I granted the soldiers a furlough, but they will be back on duty January 1st to continue their assignment of guarding this tree.  I haven't told them that the Vietnam War was over.

Enjoy the season with family and friends. Peace.