Friday, January 25, 2013

Just when you thought the holidays were over… check out my groovy Christmas tree

 

Y’know, it’s funny how the smallest things can inspire someone or motivate them.  Can I share a little secret here?  I’ve lived on my own since moving to Pittsburgh twenty plus years ago, and I’ve never hung a single holiday decoration, let alone put up a Christmas tree.  Oh, I’ve bought a few holiday odds & ends over the years—chili pepper lights, some ornaments, candles—but I just packed the stuff away or gave it to my mom.

And then a couple weeks ago, I saw something & decided that it was time for a change.  I know Christmas is over, but better late than never, right?

I had my reasons for not decorating; the first couple years I reasoned that I wasn’t going to be here anyway, I’d be spending the holidays back home.  And then for the last decade, it’s become my busiest time of year (work-wise).  I know what’s coming, so come December who has time for any holiday spirits when you’ve got 101 New Year deadlines?  I just told my sister Shawn a couple weeks ago that one of the first things I wanted to do when I retire was enjoy Christmas again.  (Gosh I know that sounds hammy but it’s the truth!)

Okay so a day or two after this past Christmas, my sister told me about her friend Randi & HER blog, and a recent one she’d written about her family’s ceramic Christmas tree.  Curious, I checked it out and enjoyed reading about this great green decoration from Christmas Past. 

(If you’re curious like I was, click HERE to read it.)  Smile

Anyway, I don’t know what came over me but I couldn’t stop thinking about that ceramic tree.  My grandma owned one for many years, my mom did too & displayed it atop the tv.  I decided I had to have one!  

I inquired about them in a couple local stores that sold holiday decorations, but no luck.  The hardware store up the street from me becomes a Christmas Shop every year right after Halloween—but when I asked Joe (the owner) if he carried them, he said “Oh wow, I haven’t seen one of those in years.”  I began looking online (the ceramic shop Randi’s blog provided was too pricey for me).  Ebay was no better, I saw several listed—for several hundred dollars.  (I just wanted a ceramic tree, it didn’t have to be vintage!)

And then I found TeresasCeramics, who made them to order (and at a very reasonable price too).  I wrote her, told her about the ceramic trees I’d seen online & asked why hers were so much less in price.  She kindly responded that she couldn’t say, but assured me I wouldn’t be disappointed.  I said okay & ordered one.  She was right; I got mine a couple days ago & it looked so nice I couldn’t resist plugging it in.  (Well, just for one night!)

So Christmas may be over, and my new tree is going into storage, but I promise that it’s coming right back out next year; along with a jolly Santa cookie jar, some flickering window candles, a fresh pine wreath for my door and anything else I can get my hands on.  Thanks again everyone! 

6 comments:

  1. I like these little Christmas trees, Doug. Too bad I didn't know when you were searching for one because the Vermont Country Store sells these. Glad to hear this has inspired you to break out the decorations next Christmas!

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  2. Thanks Pam! Hey I think I DID see one of these on the Vermont's Country store link, I did a lot of looking around. But after finding Teresa's site she had just what I was looking for :)

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  3. Cool--I think I'm gonna get the Country Store one next year because I liked the "snow" on theirs. Either way--it's a cool little retro holiday decoration for sure.

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  4. Pam I sure do agree, seeing it brought back a lot of good memories. Well I got the "extra large" model, around 20 inches tall.

    Back in the 80s, I worked in the Garden Dept of a retail store for a number of years that became the "Christmas Shop" every year. We always kept one of these on the counter & they were always the first item to sell out. :)

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  5. Hi Doug! I've missed you! So happy to be back. What a great story. How awesome that you found what you were looking for. And what a beauty it is. Now I want to get one for next Christmas. :) It's wonderful that your fondness for Christmas (which never left) has reignited for the new year!

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  6. Thanks Chelly, it's great to hear from you--as always, you're very kind! If you do wind up getting one of these, let me know. It really is much nicer looking in person, and I love all the lights (without the muss or wires) :)

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