Crisp pine needles crunch under my feet. The radio is blaring "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". The smell of pine fills the air. Color-coded tags wave in the breeze as they try to break free from the top of a tree. Ultimately, my senses are awakened as I jump out of my car and walk toward the place where the holidays begin for my family: the Christmas tree lot.
I absolutely love Thanksgiving, but I can't wait for the weekend that follows because I know what's on our family agenda. We will view each Christmas tree with a critical eye as we ponder such questions as, "Do you think this is too tall?", "I wonder if the gifts will fit under this one?", and "How much is that one?!" With all of the questions, one may wonder why we don't choose to have an artificial symbol placed in our family room each year. All I can say is that it's a matter of tradition. We've always had a live tree and, despite the constant clean-up (my vacuum cleaner is never really "put away"), I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, what else would we do on the fourth Saturday in November?!
