On the left is the Christmas tree surrounded by presents from 1954. On the right is the Christmas tree surrounded by presents from 2018. I am struck by how much I have continued the same Christmas traditions from my childhood. The trees look to be about the same size; they seem to have about the same number of ornaments; and they seem to have about the same number of packages beneath them.
It’s interesting to notice that, although subconsciously, I seem to have set ideas about proportion, decoration and sufficient gifts established many years ago. I had a close friend that year whose tree was flocked white and had identical pink glass globes adorning it. I remember thinking how odd that was. I had no desire to have a tree like that when I was grown. Another family had the first fake Christmas tree I had ever seen, but I certainly didn’t want a odor free tree in my future home. I did covet a set of bubble lights that I saw at one friend’s house. Fortunately, my husband bought me a set one year without even knowing that about me.
We open presents Christmas morning. We have stockings for each family member secretly filled by another member. We have Chinese food on Christmas, though, a departure from the roast beef I had every Christmas as a child. I guess I have stepped out a little after all.!
Saved By Words 
we can’t have a “real” tree inside because of Mase’s asthma. I brought myself a dwarf pine that is in a container on the patio instead. In about 10 years it will be about a metre high!
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OK. I give you an official pass on an indoor tree. At least the dwarf pine won’t have to be repotted any time soon.
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Merry Christmas Elizabeth. Sad to say, we used plastic tree here.We don’t have those live pines to pick out and decorate.
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I understand since you aren’t in a place that grows pines. However, I can’t grow your lovely plants either.
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The acorn doesn’t fall far from the original tree does it 😉
Jennifer
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Too fun!
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You just reminded me I have yet to wrap everyone’s presents!
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I like that you eat Chinese food on Christmas day!
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I love that they stay open.
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😂
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How interesting that you have Chinese food for Christmas. We have a big celebration this year with two of my Dad’s brothers and two of their children and their spouses joining us. this swells our Christmas crew to 26 people this year and, of course, this year we have Coco Rose, by sister’s new baby girl.
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Our big meal is Thanksgiving.
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We had lunch at an Indian restaurant for Christmas. It was great! (We’d already gathered with family earlier.)
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Maybe next year. That would be excellent also.
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