That's Life: Christmas Tree Decorating Never FinishedBy Phyllis McGuire
iBerkshires Columnist
03:06PM / Friday, December 23, 2011
.jpg) I am a perfectionist — although some editors might dispute that, considering I make my share of silly mistakes that they end up correcting. (Editor: Phyllis never makes silly mistakes!)
When it comes to decorating the Christmas tree, I do more than ponder where to put each ornament; I constantly re-arrange them for as long as the tree graces the living room.
Every time I look at the tree, I notice an ornament that just seems out of place. And then there are the special sentimental ornaments that I want to stand out. You know, the Santa Claus, the camel, etc., my children crafted when they attended a pottery class at a very young age.
And, of course, the glass replica of the nativity must hang in a prominent place, but should it be on the upper branches of the tree, or nearer the nativity scene my husband, Bill, bought at a day-after-Christmas sale at Lord & Taylor's about 40 years ago?
I remember staying home that day, taking care of our children Christopher and Jennifer. They were happy playing with their new toys, but when Bill returned with packages, they were excited.
Although my son bought us an elegant angel tree-topper about a dozen years ago, I only put it on the tree for a few minutes and then display it on the buffet with some other special Christmas decorations.
The Christmas tree would not be complete to me, without the tree-topper Bill and I used on the first Christmas tree we set up as husband and wife. Those who read my column regularly already know the story of that tree-topper, but for those who are newbies, I'll give a short explanation.
I was pregnant with our first child and had shopped alone, while Bill was at work, for ornaments for our first tree. Christmas Eve, I discovered I had neglected to buy a tree-topper. It was snowing out, and Bill insisted I stay home while he walked to the avenue to shop for a tree-topper. "Please get an angel," I said as he slipped into his coat. When he came home, he said, "The hardware store was the only place open and this is all they had left." The tree-topper was a star with an angel in the middle. It was not expensive, but it is priceless to me.
 I certainly do not need any more ornaments now. The closet is full of them, and there is only room for so many on the smaller tree that I began putting up after Bill passed.
It has become a family tradition, however, for me to give my children and now their children an ornament each Christmas. This November, I decided to buy the same ornament for my tree as the one I am giving to my son and his wife, and my daughter and her husband. It is a "unique" handcrafted article made from pruned branches of the olive trees growing on the hills of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Since it is in the shape of a star, I hung it above the manger.
But now as I think about it, I believe it blocks the blue light that shines on the manager, as I like. Oh well, I'll be back at the tree soon, switching ornaments again.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
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