Tannenbaums Away!

I didn't want to deal with Christmas tree drama this year.  I needed things a little simpler and a little cheaper.  After a long family discussion we decided this year we would try an artificial tree.  We were won over by the ease of set up, the ease of clean up, and the long-term savings.  We scoured craigslist and found a very pretty tree for sixty dollars.  It was a high quality tree, the right size and reasonably priced at $60.  Michael ran out and picked it up and then we put it in the shed for a couple of weeks.  December 3rd we decided to put up our tree.  We pulled out the nicely packaged tree in a sturdy case and started to set it up.  We unwrapped the neatly bundled branches only to discover there was no trunk or stand, just lots of branches.  We called the lady back and she scoured her storage but couldn't find the missing pieces.  She graciously took the tree back and refunded our money.  But we still didn't have a tree.

Michael hopped on Amazon to search for a tree.  There was one for thirty dollars!  It looked like a thirty dollar tree though.  It would arrive in as little as three days.  We ordered the thirty dollar tree.  It arrived in the promised time.

All set up and decorated.

Putting the angel on the tree.  This year it was Grace's turn.  She looked forward to it for days and then when she finally held the precious angel she realized the top of the tree was a lot higher than it looked from the ground.  Michael tried lifting her up to put the angel on but she panicked each time.  He eventually had to climb on the couch because Grace would not let go of him.  After a bit of struggling the angel finally made it to her seasonal place of honor.

Merry Christmas!