Monday, December 7, 2009

Exiled

Last year when I took down the Christmas tree (by myself) (I know! Poor me, right?) I noticed that I really like some of my ornaments more than others.
And don't hate me for saying this, but the little tin-foil-covered-cardboard-then-scribbled-on ornaments that the kids made at some Mom's Day Out program when they were 3ish, are neither meaningful to me nor are they beautiful. The kid doesn't remember making it, and frankly if it didn't have the name and year on the back, he or she would not even know that those ornaments were here because of him/her.

So I decided to make a new plan. I didn't throw anything away, I just sorted the ornaments according to how much I enjoy seeing them on the tree.

You know...
  • back of the tree
  • sides of the tree
  • top
  • bottom
  • front and center
And I put it all away.

...So fast forward to this year during Forced Family Fun night  when I handed each kid a box and told them where the ornaments were to be hung....

(This is starting to sound like I have too much time on my hands, isn't it? Look, I had to take down the tree either way, and since no one was helping, I had plenty of time to think about it.)

It didn't take long for them to figure out what was going on.

It quickly became a contest to see who had the most ornaments in the back of the tree box, complete with (good natured) taunting and counting. 

*sigh*

At least they stopped complaining about how long Family Night was taking.

And the tree looks pretty good.

It's a good thing I didn't break out the box of ornaments that didn't actually make it on the tree at all. I'm pretty sure the taunting would have gone to a whole new level.


26 comments:

Dave said...

FIRST!!!!

Dave said...

and this year, i say you leave the tree up until someone complains, and then hand them the boxes to take it down

:-)

(hint, put it in front of the tv to increase complaint probability)

Emmy said...

That is pretty funny. Glad they were able to have fun with it

Kristina P. said...

I wonder what ever happened to all our ornaments.

Kristina P. said...

I wonder what ever happened to all our ornaments.

Kristina P. said...

I wonder what ever happened to all our ornaments.

Millie said...

I just hid my kids' Primary/school Christmas project ornaments this year. Our tree is teeny so we have to be selective... I must say I like it.

What's with kids having to be drop-kicked into the living room before they'll put an ornament on a Christmas tree? I hate to be all "When I was a kid," but when I was a kid, we were excited about it!

Maybe we had too much time on our hands.

Barbaloot said...

We kind of are the same---the homemade ornaments don't have serious priority. Except for one; it's a picture of one of my brother's at about age 3, glued to a jar lid with a red ribbon tied around it. It drives another one of my brother's crazy---and for that reason alone we ALWAYS put it up. One year, we even made him his own with his kids pictures glued to the lid:)

Heather said...

I may have to use your system. All my "less loved" ornaments go on the bottom so that if Ella happens to destroy them... well you know.

Anonymous said...

Know the feeling. Glad you got it done while little miss "It's colder than heck up here", was home. The picture of them looking like they wanted to put up the tree is wonderful.

Yvonne said...

The tree looks beautiful.

When the kids come home they will put their new ornament on the tree. Can't wait ; )

Enjoy.

mormonhermitmom said...

My kids are still young enough to remember that they made them. I'll have to remember your method in a few years when they hate doing the tree :)!

Help I need a user name! said...

What a beautiful tree, and a beautiful family!

larkswing said...

That is great! I hit alot of those ornaments the no name ones made by a once upon a time 3 year old, that really does not hold any true sentiment in itself. But not able to throw away either!

Looks like they were having a really good time.

Lara Neves said...

You're a better woman than I. I won't even allow those ornaments on my tree. They have a little tree all to themselves. :)

Jillybean said...

Last year we couldn't find the box with the kid made ornaments on it, so we only used the ones that all matched the color and theme of the tree.
This year we still couldn't find them, so we didn't hang them again this year. (and I certainly won't admit that I might have seen them this summer while putting something away in the storage room.....)

Jillybean said...

OK, so now I'm feeling guilty.

But not guilty enough to go find the ornaments.

Marm said...

I'm glad I read this post and found out I wasn't the only one that didn't hold those precious paper/glue/glitter/more glue creations dear to my heart. I opted for them to go on a separate "kid" tree also. Now I don't feel so bad.

Anonymous said...

aww i had fun putting up the tree with you guys this year! what a cute picture!! and seriously mom. i dont understand why you dont want the can lid i covered with glitter front and center on the tree! it took me what?a whole 5 min to make when i was 3. honestly.. haha

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Hee hee...sounds like a good system!

That Girl said...

This year, I'm putting all the sentimental (and, let's face it, UGLY ornaments) on a separate wreath/garland. (I haven't decided yet.) I want a beautiful tree, but don't have the heart to throw them away! (Yet. Give me another ten years ....)

Unknown said...

My whole life, I looked forward to having a beautiful, color coordinated, themed tree. Then I met and married a man who hates those trees - quite vocally.

I would be quite okay with my mom throwing out all of those ornaments. Does that make me evil?

Except, I will inherit ALL of my hubby's handmade ornaments someday. She better pass mine on, too, I guess.

Someday I will have a second tree that I get to decorate just for me. It will be beautiful....and just the way I want it.

Amy said...

Last year, I put all of the kitchy ornaments my son made in school in their own box. None of them made it on the tree this year due to "hem" lack of room. I'll never throw the out but I am not sure they wil make it on the tree again. Well except for the really cool ball he made one year. That teacher had a great idea. Take clear balls, let the kids pour in a little paint and swirl it around.

Amy Peterson said...

LOL that is tooo funny!!

Elaine said...

Hahahaha, that is SO funny! I loved how you organized the ornaments according to how good they look! Something I'd totally do!!! hahah


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Nancy Face said...

You speak my language! I TOTALLY sort the ornaments the way you described...somehow I get them all crammed onto the tree! :D