Tuesday, December 22, 2009

What does a black metal tree say about Christmas?

What does your Christmas tree say about you? Apparently it’s a tool for deep psychological analysis. I came across quite a few websites polarizing people based on the tree they choose. Here's some examples:

White Lights: You ask houseguests to remove their shoes.
Multicolored Lights: You're an extrovert.
Blinking Lights: You have attention deficit disorder.
Homemade Ornaments: You have lots of children.
Strung Popcorn: You have too much time on your hands.
Red balls only: You wish you lived in a department store.

Only none of these apply to me. What does my Christmas tree say about me?

Well, the fact that my boys, JW the ever non traditional and Q the teen boy, almost stopped me from putting it up altogether should say something.

We’re sort of ‘stuck’ in Ghana this year. This means we’ve all flown so much during the year that we couldn’t be bothered to plan and execute a family holiday half way across the world. So here we are.

We decided with friends to head down the coast for the few days over Christmas. No tradition, just beach, barbeques, vegging out.

BUT as the days grew closer I felt the inexplicable tug, that voice that says, ‘Put something up!”, “make it look a bit like Christmas around here!” So I voiced it. God forbid! I got attacked on two sides.

“Why? We won’t even BE here! We have no presents this year, remember we agreed!”

“You’ve become your mother.”

No offense Mom, but when it comes to Christmas you’re a hard act at follow. Ever since I can remember our house was decked out – from the designer wreath at the front door, to vines up the banister. Christmas scene in the living room bay window, candle clusters with holly, and a tree out of a designer mag for sure. Martha Stewart has nothing on my mom. One year, she saw a magnificent tree in a shop, decorated completely in white and gold. It was fully lit. People stopped to marvel at it. She then approached the store manager, made an offer, and ended up carting off the whole tree, wrapped in cellophane, fully decorated and lit. (No serious work THAT year!) And since this year my sister and her little family have taken over the family house, the tradition will carry on.

Then there’s me – the black sheep. Spent most Christmases over the past 13 years in Africa, or as a guest. Never made a Christmas turkey, never decked the halls, never had a designer tree.

This year takes the award for the least effort made in a Christmas tree erection.
I gave in though to the little voice, and dragged out the black wrought iron tree. It’s about 2 feet tall and has little spots for tea lights, but JW pointed out that it looks more like an orange seller’s stand in Ghana. It just might be the origin of our little tree, come to think of it!



I bought some hand casted Ghanaian glass stars at a sale and hung them with ribbon from our sad black tree. Added a few left over ornaments from unremembered Christmases past, and voila! My attempt at 2009 Christmas decorations.

Now what would the experts say about that? My tree isn’t real or fake. It’s metal! There are no white OR multicoloured lights. There just might be candles. There are no designer or homemade decorations, just a few Ghanaian made stars and some old leftovers.

But I’ve got my loved ones around me. And lots of vodka, wine and chocolate.
I might even make some Christmas chocolate squares… or I might drink more vodka and eat all the raw ingredients.

Merry Christmas Holli style ☺
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63 comments:

#167 Dad said...

Emerson said imitation is suicide. There doesn't seem to be any danger of that tree killing you're unique personality.
Merry Christmas.
Here's to Emerson.

Expat From Hell said...

I think your version of Christmas is terrific. To hell with the tree, you have the right ingredients for a fabulous celebration: vodka, wine, and chocolate! Have a great one, my friend! EFH

The pale observer said...

Thanks Guys! and Merry Christmas!!!

Anonymous said...

I think you're going about it the right way. My wife bought a second tree last year and is now talking about having a modern tree and a retro tree.

So yeah; your small tree with four decorations is looking pretty good right now.

The pale observer said...

Hi Matthew - thanks - I don't envy you the two-tree thing!

Kajsa Hallberg Adu said...

Even though I also felt it unnecessary to try and copy overseas Christmas in the Ghanaian heat that little voice has been speaking to me too!

I also wanted to just run away to the beach, but I've now pimped my house with a Nigerian nativity scene, a few Ghanaian glass stars (the same ones) in a window and Swedish spiced wine.

Hence, I both appreciate and understand your black metal tree. Happy holidays, Holli!

Stacie said...

I identify! I haven't had a Christmas tree in years...but for some reason, I had to have one this year...ours is a Goodwill find and it is only 3 feet tall...but it makes me smile every time I see it...Merry Christmas!

Poindexter said...

If your Christmas tree brings you any joy, then your mission is accomplished. The beauty is in our hearts anyway. I happen to have 4 trees and I love them all. I'd have more if I could. Decorating them gives me joy, a precious reminder of my childhood.

Jo said...

I love that tree. It's wonderful!

Beach, barbeques, vegging out is good too. I hope you have a fabulous Christmas.

Land of shimp said...

It says you won't have to vacuum up any pine needles, or spend hour disassembling an artificial tree is what that says. You'll be the envy of all us soon :-)

The first year my mother decided she didn't wish to put up a tree, my stepfather came home with tiny lights and balls...and proceeded to decorate the bejeebers out of all the houseplants. To this day, that's what they do. My mother makes a stand against a tree ("We'll barely be here to see it, too much fuss, too much bother!") and my stepfather adorns the Ficus, Boston Ferns and spider plants.

Looking at your little metal tree, which I think is marvelous, I couldn't help but think that if my stepfather ever lays eyes upon it, he will want it for his very own...to put with the decorated houseplants.

Anonymous said...

Hols, It looks nice. Seriously. I had one of those black metal trees and it never looked nice like yours so I gave it to an orange seller. xxo auntie T

Pilgrimage to self said...

What a different tree. Love it!

kristine said...

oh god, what does thsi say about me: no tree.....i did put presents under a large potted plant, ot sure if that counts??

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year from Korea! Our Christmas tree was pink plastic with blue bulbs and white lights. It was gaudy - but the child is 4 and insisted on pink! I think it's neat though that I *do* ask people to remove their shoes (Asia, afterall) and that I chose white lights. :) Hmmm...

Sherrie Petersen said...

How funny -- I have white lights on my tree, but I've never asked people to take their shoes off. And for the record, I like your black metal tree!

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