When I was growing up, it was our family tradition to get a tree right around the middle of December. Dad would load mom, my two sisters and yours truly into the car and we'd head to the tree lot. There was lots of tree lot choices in those days since artificial trees were pretty much non-existent. We'd search around the lot looking less for the perfect tree but rather one that fit the family budget. Us girls didn't care. We were getting a tree! 

Then, when I first got married, we had moved from Washington the Evergreen State where fir trees are abundant and found everywhere, to the high desert of Nevada, where tumbleweeds were more abundant than trees. And the trees we did have there were more of the pine variety. Nevertheless, my hubs and his brother were determined we were going to go find and cut our own tree.

Ha! That was an ordeal, and the biggest, strangest tree we ever had have or have had since then. That was a one and done experience and for the next ten years we went to the local tree lot until we finally switched over to two very nice looking artificial trees.

Two! Ah, the decadence. One, I could decorate with all our traditional ornaments and the other, I could do in some kind of theme. (I say I because tree decorating was more my thing than my guys.) I had some super fun theme trees! Tropical; under the sea; patriotic; all elves; all flowers. All of them fun.

And then we moved again and our home was/is smaller and now . . . we have no tree! I know, me, JingleBelle Jackson the lover of all things Christmas has no traditional tree, fresh or artificial. But I do have anywhere from 12 to 24 trees all around the house. :) This year the count is 15. The tallest is about 18 inches. It's different than most homes this time of year but it still manages to make our home cheery and has become our own unique tradition. 

So, what is your tree tradition? I'd love to hear it. Do you put up one? Two? More? None? Fresh? Artificial? Before Thanksgiving? Whatever brings out your merry is the perfect tradition for you!

Oh Oh Oh - Jingle