I was unaware that Christmas Trees could produce so much drama. Seriously. But guess what? Ours did. Ours caused us some serious drama-rama, and I decided to share some of that very drama with you here on SD&S.
We love getting real trees. There’s just something really special about a fresh pine that gets us in the Christmas spirit. I’ve never once had a tree that WASN’T fresh, but artificial trees were pretty much all that my hubby knew before a couple years ago.
So as per tradition, the day after Thanksgiving, we loaded up in the truck, and headed out to pick up our tree. We decided to skip the big farm, since we found zero luck there last year, and ended up going to one of those fresh-tree lots nearby in Dripping Springs.
It didn’t take long to find what we were looking for: something grand. We wanted to take serious advantage of our high ceilings, and walked right by the 7’, 8’, 9’ and 10’ trees. That’s right. We ended up with a beautiful, full, and sensational 11-foot Noble Fir, and we were very, VERY happy. Go big or go home, right?
We got it home, set it up, poured some water in the stand, hugged it, and went to bed. The next day, we strung the lights, which by the way, wasn’t as easy as it sounds with an 11-foot tree. Then we put only a few ornaments on, as we got started a bit late in our day. We’re taking our time with this tree, you guys. Good things come with time, right?
Anyway, we called it a night, and went to sleep. Around 5 a.m., I was wakened by a strange sound in the living room. I crept out with my iPhone flashlight guiding the way not sure of what I’d find. What I did find was not at all what I expected. Our giant, massive, mammoth tree fell to the ground. Bang. No good.
“Miiiiiichaaaeellll!!!!”
He came stumbling out to join me in my shock and awe. Our tree. Our beautiful, colossal tree… on the floor. Crap. Were the cats OK? I was so scared to lift it and find a smooshed kitty cat, but as it turns out, they were both passed out on our bed, unaware of any of the goings-on in the living room. They’re heavy sleepers…
We heaved the tree back up into standing position, but only 30 minutes later, I heard it again. Crap! WHY?!
We told the little one that his Elf on a Shelf must have accidentally knocked it over when he came back from visiting the North Pole (meanwhile, anyone else think this Elf on The Shelf thing is a bit creepy and weird??), but in all actuality, our tree stand was just plain too small and flimsy for our tree.
After dropping the kiddo off at school that morning, I went straight to ACE Hardware, and scooped up the biggest most sturdy and stable stand they carried, and went home where our fallen tree waited. Michael and I worked pretty hard to get this new stand on the tree, and figured out a way to get the tree into standing position, and KEEP it standing. Once again, not as easy as it sounds…
It’s been two days, and no movement from Mr. Tree, thank GOD. We were able to put some more ornaments up, and you guys? While I went through a momentary lapse where I cursed the day we decided to get a huge, fresh tree, now that it’s up and standing strong, I can’t get enough of it. None of us can. It’s so beautiful, and so perfect. It stretches up and nearly touches the ceiling with its green, piney glory, and fills the house with it’s delicious and woodsy aroma. I. Love. This. Tree. Even though this is by far, the most dramatic tree on earth.
