Tuesday

It's Time to Share Your Tree

I love Christmas. And I love decorating.

Put them together?  

Oh, yes. 


We are trying to keep the focus on Christ this year. After all, we wouldn't have the day without Him. It's a struggle though.


But I like to weave The Savior throughout all of our traditions and even decorations.  

I asked my kids, "Why do we light up our tree?" They waited... "Because Jesus is the light of the season. And the Wisemen followed a light...and"

Call me corny, but I try.

We have a couple of family traditions: We read the Christmas story from The Bible (something my hubby did as a child) and we open a gift on Christmas Eve (something I did as a child). We also give each of our kids a special new ornament every year.



What are some traditions your family shares?



My tree:


To see more great trees, visit Kelly's!

116 comments:

Muthering Heights said...

We also give our children an ornament each year - and Jordan and I get one for ourselves too. :)

D... said...

Beautiful tree!

We have a lot of traditions & they all come from MY childhood. I just realized that. I'll share a few of them. We always go to the movies on Christmas Eve. All of us get new pajamas and a new ornament on Christmas Eve. We bake Jesus a birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday to Him. We also always have the same breakfast on Christmas morning. I love Christmas traditions!

Amanda said...

yea!! Im #3 - I tried to be #1 but the preggo lady beat me- I'll give her that- she deserves it.

Jessica D. said...

sorry you have to scroll down a few day to see my tree!

Unknown said...

Your Christmas tree is beautiful. I comparing the lights to the Light of the world!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tree! This so fun!
We have a birthday cake for Jesus and sing happy birthday to Him on Christmas evening. We also have a stocking for Jesus, in which we place our gifts to Him on Christmas.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tree!!

We also give the children a special ornament every year. We read the Christmas story and have a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas day, too.

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

I've been writing about traditions all month, but I do a new photo ornament of each kid each year.

Screaming Meme said...

I have been going though your blog and I have tears in my eyes...From laugh so much....THANK YOU!...for making me feel normal...Our family seems so crazy...but now I know there are more of us out there...Thank God...

Anonymous said...

Your tree looks lovely. Ours is rather lopsided. LOL.

Shannon said...

What a great idea! Thanks for setting up Share Your Tree! We too buy a special ornament for each family member each year. THis is my favorite time of year.

One More Equals Four said...

very pretty. I am not linking up because my pictures are still stuck in the camera until my sweet hubby puts them on the computer for me, probably around next Christmas! I enjoyed seeing your tree, very nice!

Tina said...

Your tree is Beautious...yes I made that up. lol

3 Bay B Chicks said...

I firmly believe that nothing says let us be thankful for the birth of Baby Jesus quite like Yoda, with a light saber, in the form of a Christmas ornament.

Where on earth did you find something like that? Totally made me laugh.

-Francesca

Anonymous said...

Yoda, Mickey, Chocolate covered strawberries. Yes, all very Christ like.

:)

Anonymous said...

We start later around here since we mostly celebrate the 12 days to Epiphany following Christmas Day. As much as I love the decorations, in our house, it's all about the food. Forget the smell of evergreens. It's the smell of steaming Christmas pudding that signals Christmas around here. Speaking of food, yhour strawberry ornament is making me hungry, yum!

3boys247 said...

oops, sorry. I must have been really tired when I linked up and forgot to add the link.

I love all the Christmas trees, but they make mine look more like Charlie Brown's tree.

Chris said...

Thank you for the invite! I'm loving all these beautiful pictures--including yours! That Mickey Mouse disco ball is fantastic! :)

Anonymous said...

We, too, buy a special Christmas ornament every year. So, our tree looks a lot like yours'. There's no matchy-matchy stuff here! ;)
And, we, also, open a present on Christmas Eve, like my family always did.
I'm really liking that chocolate covered strawberry ornament! That one needs to be on my tree.

Anonymous said...

Your tree is quite beautiful. Looking at your pics make me realize I should have taken my pictures at night! Oh well, great link up idea!
Toni

The Southern Family said...

Love your tree! And your traditions are similar to ours. We always ready the Christmas story on Christmas Eve, too. And we get one ornament for the kids when we travel during the year. Of course we can both have tree parties today! And Boo Mama is having another on Monday. I am always up for Holiday Home Touring ;-)

Robin said...

Love your tree!!! I linked the Lego tree since that's all I've got this year!

Anonymous said...

YEA! I'm 40 :D

Anonymous said...

Your tree is gorgeous! My favorite ornament is the chocolate covered strawberry! Wouldn't you love to one day have a kitchen tree with all food related ornaments? I want to do that one day when we have more discretionary funding!

Valarie Lea said...

Love the Yoda :)

Anonymous said...

My hubby would love that Yoda! LOL!

Our Christmas is full of tradition. Everyday in Dec. we do a Christmas activity together. On Christmas Eve we go to my mom's and make Cut out Cookies. We have a family get together at my parents that evening and eat finger foods and drink the fancy Grape Juice in the bottles. The boys get one present from my mom which is new PJ's to wear that night. Once at home we read the Christmas story from the Bible. It is truly the best time of the year!

Lori said...

I love your Yoda ornament! We have a Darth Vadar ornament that says "You are not a Jedi yet" every time you turn the tree lights on. It's the kids' (including my husband) favorite.

littletoesandcheerios said...

Thanks for the fun post! Our traditions are a birthday cake for Jesus, new pjs, a new ornament and hopefully making cookies with my nieces and nephew.

Carolina Mama said...

We're in! This is fun and a little preview before the Monday Tour.

Congratulations on the SNOW! Wahoo!! We got the cold 32 and no snow.... Dreaming of a white Christmas.

Anonymous said...

You have such a wonderful blog. The children's grandmother always gets them new ornament every year and they love it.

Holly said...

I love that chocolate covered strawberry!

Holly said...

Wow, you're fast! Thanks for checking out my blog! The snow was super easy; go here
http://www.bloggerbuster.com/2008/12/simple-snow-effect-widget-for-blogger.html

Anonymous said...

One of my favorite traditions was the home made pjs my mom would make for all of us kids and give us on Christmas Eve. Now she carries on the tradition with the grandkids.

Anonymous said...

Is that a chocolate covered strawberry? yummy!

The Sullivan Sitcom said...

Love your tree and LOVE your cutie ornaments!

Stacy Uncorked said...

How fun! What a fun way to wrap up my Christmas Tree Wrestling week! ;) Love your tree and traditions!

k.mart said...

Decided to link up a post I did several days ago, since our decorated tree is in it! Found your blog just a little while back and want you to know it's an inspiration... you are THAT special! I can just tell!

Suzanne said...

We are having our first Christmas since being married in June. We did go shopping and buy our first special ornament to celebrate our first year. We have a lot of ornaments that I made many years ago.

Beach said...

I loved getting to view all the trees, this was so neat. I linked up too.
:) Heather

Anonymous said...

It's a difficult balance.... Christ and Frosty The Snow Man all getting bunched into one celebration. We've just recently encountered how confusing this can be to a kid as our oldest is just old enough to ask the tough questions. I'd love to hear from other veteran moms ways to detangle (or at least find a cohesive balance) between the two.

Anonymous said...

It's a difficult balance.... Christ and Frosty The Snow Man all getting bunched into one celebration. We've just recently encountered how confusing this can be to a kid as our oldest is just old enough to ask the tough questions. I'd love to hear from other veteran moms ways to detangle (or at least find a cohesive balance) between the two.

Anonymous said...

It's a difficult balance.... Christ and Frosty The Snow Man all getting bunched into one celebration. We've just recently encountered how confusing this can be to a kid as our oldest is just old enough to ask the tough questions. I'd love to hear from other veteran moms ways to detangle (or at least find a cohesive balance) between the two.

Anonymous said...

It's a difficult balance.... Christ and Frosty The Snow Man all getting bunched into one celebration. We've just recently encountered how confusing this can be to a kid as our oldest is just old enough to ask the tough questions. I'd love to hear from other veteran moms ways to detangle (or at least find a cohesive balance) between the two.

Anonymous said...

K, YOU HAVE THE BEST IDEAS.

that is all

monica, with no tree yet

Ronda White said...

Thank you so much for doing this. It has been such a treat visiting other beautiful Christmas Trees.

mommagurl32 said...

Beautiful tree...great idea...love your blog!

...Laura... said...

fun! I love Christmas trees!

Okay- I'm dying to know the code to get the falling snow on my blog!!! Please do share! :) thanks

Anonymous said...

Everything looks beautiful as usual!

Carrie said...

Wa-hoo! I hopped over from The Finer Things and linked up my trees. Yes, you heard me--two full size trees. I thought I was the most insane person on the planet. Until I read a blogger with SEVEN! WOH! I think I'll stick with two...

Mel said...

Thanks for the tree carnival idea! I envy your chocolate covered strawberry ornament. I'm going to have to find myself one of those. Merry Christmas.

TidyMom said...

Better late than never!! got my tree posted and my link up!

I'm having so much fun sipping my coffee looking at everyone's gorgeous trees!!

Thanks for doing this!!

Merry Christmas!
~Tidymom

Alice said...

I LOVE your "main" tree! It's so beautiful. Thanks for the link to all the other trees - what a cool meme. Congratulations on having your photo selected. It is quite an honor, I'm sure. Merry Christmas!

Beca said...

I love the falling snow. Thanks for the opportunity to post my tree.

Natalia said...

This has to be one of my most favorite link ups every. I could look at Christmas trees for days...and I will be :)

jill said...

Love the tree and enjoyed your story. Guess I'll be lurking a while until I check out everyone else's trees! Merry Christmas.

thediaperdiaries said...

We do all the same traditions. Except we do it with a big ole' pile of snow outside :)

Anonymous said...

FINALLY getting my post up!

And for what it's worth - I don't think that's corny at all. I tell the kids we use lights because Jesus is the light of the world, and we use things that reflect the light because we're supposed to reflect Jesus' light to the world. See? You're not alone. :)

Dacia said...

We have two trees so that all the children's ornaments can go on their tree and I still get to decorate my own tree. I love being able to coordinate a tree each year.

megan said...

I'm linking up for the party, better late than never! I think your telling them that "Jesus is the light of th world" and thats why we light the tree is wonderful. Hope you all are feeling better!
Blessings,
Megan

Gigi said...

Sorry so late to join up- I just heard about it! Thanks for hosting the party!!

Marie Louise said...

Well, better late than never. I'm just joining the party - no worries - I'm good at catching up!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I always like to be fashionably late to a party, but I think even I'm pushing it this time. Oh, well! I couldn't resist joining in. It looked like too much fun.

I linked to your party from mine (it's "Hooked on Holiday House Tours" time on my blog today), so maybe you'll get some more guests in the next few days. Thanks! -Julia :-)

Lynn said...

So fun! I finally got mine linked....wonder if I will be the last one to procrastinate.

I also need to email you to join the society...since I read EVERY one of your posts. Maybe in January...

Anonymous said...

You're tree is beautiful! Thank you so much for hosting this Christmas tree tour!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

I'm having a tree party too!! So FUN! Is that a Mickey ornament?? LOVE IT!!

Kimba said...

How on EARTH did I not remember your tree party. Bad Kimba.

I linked up my post and added your link to the list of parties I'll be swinging by on Monday.

Kimba

Angela @ Cottage Magpie said...

I'm a little late to the party, but I'll add my tree. What a fun thing to see everyone's entries! And you may already know this, but I'm doing a virtual cookie exchange (with prizes), and I'd love it if you came and checked it out! :-)
~Angela :-)

Unknown said...

Okay leave it to me to see your tree and pick something up in your photographs complety unrelated to a tree, I love your curtains!! whats you secret?? I haveta to have mine that way

The Nester said...

Hate me. I have like 10 parties in one post! Heart you girl!

kari and kijsa said...

SO many fun parties today and this week! We are going to have our fill of eggnogg and yummy cookies (as well as fabulous decorations!!)
we have been decorating our tree and are so excited to go visit others as well!

lOVE THAT YOU WEAVE THE REASON FOR THE SEASON THROUGHOUT YOUR DECOR!
BEAUTIFUL!

Blessings,
kari & kijsa

Unknown said...

As children we also received 1 gift on Christmas Eve. It was always something my dad picked out for "his girls." Not something we had asked for, but a collectible, or a piece of jewelry, etc. We also received an ornament each year, a glass ball decorated by our mom with our name, year, and a small picture like a candy cane or wreath.

windycorner said...

thanks for hosting this wonderful walk through the trees. Merry Christmas!
Holley

Colored With Memories said...

i LOVE your mickey mouse ornament! we were just at disney world and i didn't see one anything like that one!

phillips phamily said...

Looking through all the trees is so much fun! It makes me want to put 10 more up!

Laila said...

I really look forward to coming back and look at all the entries later. I'm off to work, but wanted to make an entry first.

Anonymous said...

We buy a new ornament every year also. The past few years we bought them on our vacations.

Unknown said...

Could you remove my tree, there have been some nasty comments over at another site and I have lost the christmas spirit and dont feel like sharing anymore. Thank you in advance I am #100

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Lots of parties today! I'm having a Christmas tour party too, so everyone come on by & add your links to mine too. Merry Christmas, love the tree!

Tanya said...

We have those same traditions! Our new rote lesson this year is about why we give gifts. "Jesus was the greatest gift so we give gifts!"

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful!

Dena said...

Beautiful tree. We also give our kids a new ornament every year and we try to make it relate to something personal and meaningful from their past year.

Melodie Norman Haas said...

Both of yoru traditions are ones I have done and wish to do with my future children :) Thanks for sharing!

Em said...

Mr. Linky crashed - too much eggnog I think ;) My tree can be seen here http://bunchofscrap.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-home-tour.html

I am bookmarking your blog to try and add it later and to come see more of your too cute stuff!! Glad I found you!

DeeDee said...

Beautiful...
I just found you from Tammy@greet GRITS.

I am going back to put up the link to this blog.

Sweet Blessings,
DeeDee

Anonymous said...

I love your tree and also your traditions. It's wonderful to pass then along to our children.

Hugs,
Chris

Anonymous said...

I love your tree and also your traditions. It's wonderful to pass then along to our children.

Hugs,
Chris

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tree! We have similar traditions. My daughter and I take a day to shop for one new ornament each year and then go out for a nice lunch. We also open our stockings on Christmas Eve.

Manuela

Robin @ The Rendered Nest said...

I love seeing all of the creative trees and I hope you'll visit my nest soon to see mine! Thank you for encouraging us to connect in this way!

Decor To Adore said...

I love all of your traditions.They are similar to ours.
Make sure you come by and enter my Friday giveaway.

Anonymous said...

The neat thing to think about is one day YOUR kids will do these traditions with THEIR kids...and so YOUR legacy lives on (and your parents' legacy). That's one of the most beautiful aspects to Christmas--bridging family past to present...and then future.

Rooted in the Lord? It has eternal significance :).

Keetha Broyles said...

Everything is lovely!

Merry Christmas.

JudyBug said...

Love your decorations!

My dad (81) still reads the Christmas story. We open most of our presents on Christmas Eve (my family tradition) and then a few special ones Christmas morning along with a stocking.

akawest said...

Your tree looks great. I will enjoy looking at all of the posts. What a wonderful way to get out of working!

Southern Fried Gal said...

I am loving all these parties - what fun! You have my kind of tree! Two of our favorite traditions are to buy ornaments for each year and tell the Christmas story using the nativity set as props. Merry Christmas!

Angela @ Cottage Magpie said...

I have another tree up, so I added myself again -- hope that's okay :-) This is such a blast!
~Angela :-)

kymber said...

This is so much fun! Thank you for inviting us to join with you. I have really enjoyed looking around at everyone's sites. YOur tree is so beautiful - thanks for sharing!
Blessings to you,
Kymber

Sharon said...

Beautiful tree! I'm going to borrow your question about asking the kids why we light up our tree? I have a 3 yr old & 5 yr old...their answers should be interesting!

Thanks for letting me peek inside your lovely home. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Bless.

Yarni Gras! said...

We do a new ornament each year too. I also make the kids new pjs. I bring out all the Christmas books and put them in a tub by the tree....then we read through them throughout the month.

Nickie said...

Love your tree....My best friend has the chocolate covered strawberry and the mickey ears...Love them.

Kendra@My Insanity said...

I'm a little late to this party, but better late than never, right!

Thanks for hosting!

Beth at Aunties said...

I love you try to keep Christ as the center of your festivites... So do we! I am late also!

Heathahlee said...

We buy a new ornament each year, if only for our Kiddo. I try to get one for us, too. Another tradition we have is to bundle up, head to Starbucks for cappucinos and hot chocolate and drive around looking at lights. We love it!

Poppyseed said...

This is such a great idea! I had my pictures all ready early, but alas this week has been CRAZY! The job is REALLY interfering with my schedule right now. :) I'll have to come back later to visit some of the other trees!

Poppyseed said...

This is such a great idea! I had my pictures all ready early, but alas this week has been CRAZY! The job is REALLY interfering with my schedule right now. :) I'll have to come back later to visit some of the other trees!

Kelsey said...

yay! I added our tree. Sorry it's late. Merry Christmas!!!

Tamara Jansen said...

What a super fun idea! Sorry I'm late but I just found you guys :) Merry Christmas!

Dana and Daisy said...

I linked to my tree, but I have alot of other Christmas posts this month so if you have time, stay and visit!

Merry Christmas!
Dana and Daisy
A Cat in My Lap

Beth said...

I'm a late linker! I just found your blog via A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words. And I found her through Tip Junkie!


May you and yours have a truly blessed Christmas!

Kit said...

Great Tree. Merry Christmas!

Barbara said...

Hi, I am a new blogger so I am just learning how to find all these blogs. Beautiful tree. Merry Christmas. Come see me.

Jadehollow said...

Thanks for hosting.. I love seeing everyones different taste and great ideas.
Have a Blessed New Year!
~Debbie

Anonymous said...

Aftersex toysseries,asex shopof,boardadult toysdetermined,companyadult shoppast,Yahoo'ssexy lingerieweek,meetingsvibratorperson,decisionadult productsbelow,anystrap onshare,overadultshopadvantage,coulddildooffer,theMalaysia sex toysregulators,tryingSingapore sex toysdigging,massivelysex toy$31,thatCondomsaid,takeoverParadise sex toys shopbattle,woodenParadise Sex Toys Adult Shop Singapore Malaysiastand,word delivery,stand,wordParadise Sex Toys Adult Shop Singapore Malaysiadelivery,committed toParadise Sex Toys Adult Shop Singapore Malaysiacertain,schoolSex Toys Shop Singapore Malaysiaproducts

Lianna Knight said...

What a PRETTY tree!! And I love all your traditions :)

Visiting from Kelly's Korner :)

Check out our tree...it has a surprise video!!

http://bethouaknight.blogspot.com/2009/12/oh-christmas-tree.html

Amber Schmidt said...

oh my gosh... my 7 year old would eat that YODA up!!! He is the #1 star wars fan!

The Pressley Family said...

Very pretty tree! I think it's awesome that you teach your kids that Jesus is the reason we have Christmas to begin with. We are trying to teach ours as well that it's not about gifts and presents. Awesome!