For over 50 years I have been a purist, pure as the driven snow as the old cliche goes. Or as the old Coke ad sang"It's The Real Thing".
Every year about this time my husband and I would set out, first just the two of us and then when the children started arriving into our lives we would all head out in search of perfection. We hardly ever found it. The years passed and the children grew up and moved on with their own lives and personal searches. Then we would, again, just the two of us set out on our search. . After awhile a grand child or two would accompany us on our yearly adventure but soon they too were tied into their own families' searching.
How to break the addiction? This search for perfection? If we dared to branch out would the world stop spinning on it's axis? What would the neighbors think? Then out of the blue I mentioned to my good friend ,Vi, what I was contemplating. And lo and behold she had already beat me to the punch. She had already branched out into virgin territory. Now you would have to know Vi to appreciate the wonder of her personal decision to make such a radical change at her age. She is an arbiter of taste. She has relatives in Charleston SC, the old genteel , society Charleston. She attended the St Cecilia Ball there. She is an artist with impeccable taste.
When I first learned of the change Vi had already made in her lifestyle I was anxious to follow suit. I admired her courage. She is my age and it takes guts to adopt a brand new lifestyle at our advanced age. She directed me to an out of the way warehouse in a somewhat seedy part of town. Normally only open to the "Trade" this spot is now open to the public because the business has been sold and they are liquidating.
Sam and I arrived and walked into the back of the warehouse. Eureka ! There it was. Our search was finally over. As we were looking and walking around it a cheerful grey haired gentleman walked up and told us he had a similar one and his family loved it. He showed us all the features and told how easy his life was now that he had taken the plunge.
He even said with a twinkle in his eye, " I tried to get you an additional discount since that one is the last and is a floor sample but Scrooge here said no deal"
It was already a bargain and so beautifully constructed, even though it was made in China. We brought it into our home and quick as a wink the project was complete.
After finishing we sat down with a nice cup of spice tea marveling at the beauty of this newcomer into our lives.
Our search was over.
We have finally found the Perfect Christmas Tree.
The only problem is this. The tree is guaranteed for 15 years and by then I will be 93.
I need to call a lawyer and change my will.
.
9 comments:
Ha! We beat you by 5 years. Ours is only 24 " tall, but very sincere and charming.
R
Roger
This baby is a seven footer with the white lights embedded in the branches.It is so life like.
Our daughter was bowled over last night when she came to collect the grand children and saw the tree all decorated and lit up.
When we said it was guaranteed for 15 years she immediately said to will it to her.:0
It is so beautiful and realistic looking. After I spritzed it with the "genuine eau de cedar/pine" spray I bought at the decorator warehouse it was just like the "Real Thing"
:)
I took that plunge about 5 years ago and I will never go back to a real tree! The fact that it was pre-lit was a definite plus. We have never had to change a light bulb on it yet.
Kenju
Great news I hope ours lasts that well. I don't know what took us so long to make the change.
Old habits die hard
As much as I love them...I gave up real Xmas trees years ago. We've had a couple of trees since then...and I spray pine scent on it too on occasion..just to remind me. Your tree sounds beautiful Janet.
Your tree does sound very attractive. Obviously, you are enjoying it and will even more in the future.
For years we, too, had been adamant about our tree as you describe. We made the change after our children were no longer at home, but continued with a tall tree.
Last year with family coming for the holidays after my husband's death, I switched to a smaller, shorter tree and I was glad I did.
Great story, Chancy. One year I decorated a large ficus – just because. With the tree lights lit and the room lights down low, it looked pretty good.
Great story, Chancy! Wish you'd post a photo of your tree!
Claude from Blogging in Paris
My son and his new wife are celebrating their first Christmas together with a real tree. When I entered their home the other day.. I could not believe the aroma. I have had a not-so-real, but very pretty tree for years now and I don't think I could go back to the real deal.. but oh.. that smell was heavenly. :-)
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