I totally caved and put the tree up before Thanksgiving

And I'm listening to Christmas music, which you can't really fault me for since Toben bought me the Glee Christmas album. If you have it, I'll bet you a dollar you're listening to it already too.

Anyway, Emma asked me yesterday afternoon, "Can we put the tree up?" To which I said, "YES!" without really stopping to think about the calendar. (Not that that's an excuse really--I've been pretty up front here, there, and everywhere about how badly I want to put up the tree.)

So we got it up and promptly realized that most of the pre-lit lights weren't working. I can't remember if I put it away two years ago not working or not--perhaps they revolted after not being lit for Christmas last year. Who really knows what goes on in the mind of a Christmas tree stuck in a box in the basement?

Two hours later, we were done unclipping (who puts tree lights on with those dumb clips, anyway?!) and unwinding all the lights. And we'd stopped bleeding and smoothed all the fingernails we broke. And now on Sunday afternoon, the tree is relit. Or will be when Toben gets home from Target with more Christmas lights.

Note to self: More lights are always better. Get way more than you think you need.

In my defense, the tree won't be all Christmas-ed until Friday. In the meantime, I just repurposed some of my fall decorations and made my tree a Thanksgiving tree rather than a Christmas tree.

A new tradition has most definitely been born around here. AND I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE IT!

No angel at the top. Just a turkey!

So really, I didn't jump the gun at all. And next year? The Thanksgiving Tree will be going up on November 1.

Comments

[Tara]

I LOVE your idea! I never put up the tree until after Thanksgiving, but I do have a holiday tree that we use most of the year. But this is a great idea, especially if you are going to be out of town for Thanksgiving and want to get a jump on the work, but still remember Thanksgiving!

[Jennifer Medeiros]

This is the best idea ever. I am so anxious to put up my decorations.....so I have Thanksgiving and a little Christmas out at this time. Yet....the tree you decorated is the simply wonderful!

[Jennifer Medeiros]

oops....I meant SIMPLY WONDERFUL!!!!

[Meryl]

Ah, I love your tree! I've been trying to justify putting up the tree early--my mom always did when I was growing up, but my husband thinks it's crazy. It's such a great idea and you did it so beautifully, too.

[Kristy Beckendorf]

LOVE it, I absolutely LOVE that idea! I can't wait to put my tree up! We will be having company on Thanksgiving, so I thought I would wait till the next day! LOVE this time of year!

[Lisa C.]

I LOVE your Thanksgiving tree! Fall colors are just so beautiful, and this way you can "have your cake and eat it too!" What a great idea! Thank you for sharing!

[julie]

Love your Thanksgiving tree...what a fun idea! And from your previous post, I was just thinking about "brown paper packages tied up with string". I'm going to have to try wrapping that way.

[rhonda]

It is a beautiful tree! What a wonderful idea.

[mzzterry]

My daughter was telling me about your thanksgiving tree today when she came over to visit (and eat leftovers!) I don't know how I missed this post but I did! She was saying she thinks she just might make this a tradition at her house.....I think it is a great idea, love.love.love it! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

[Melissa @ Breath of Life]

I was thinking about your Thanksgiving tree this morning, and came back to visit the post. I've decided I'm going to put up a Thanksgiving tree next year, too. I'm going to make cards to keep in a basket, and each night each one of us will use a card to write down something we're thankful for. Then we'll put them on the tree.

I'm going to look for fall foliage on clearance this week :-)