It is the day after Thanksgiving.
I know there is a frenzy of activity in many homes already decorating for Christmas. Ours is not one of those.
Growing up Cuban means we celebrate Christmas Eve – Noche Buena. In our home, we always waited to put up our tree until December 24th. That was always part of the celebration.
We would go out as a family on December 23rd to go pick out a tree. There was really not much "picking" going on. The tree lot owners practically PAID us to take the dried out tree off their hands (but that’s not important right now). We always chose the tallest one, but my mom just wanted the branches to be far apart – she always liked that whole tinsel and icicle thing.
Noche Buena was always so magical! I maintain that part of the magic derived from decorating THAT day. We don’t do all of that now, but I still wait until about a week before
Christmas to put up my tree. We celebrate the entire month of December practically and we do start our preparations – there is
alot to do! Check out my Christmas Photo Journal from last year over there on the left – we do so much stuff!! Just not the tree!
We always celebrated the twelve days of Christmas starting from December 25th until January 5th, the Feast of the Epiphany or Dia de Los Reyes (translates to the "Day of the Kings" in reference to the 3 Kings who brought gifts to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem). That was the night the 3 Kings would come and bring gifts for us. I know this all sounds odd to most people here, but the tradition continues in many Latino countries. Here in the U.S. we ended up doing both for a while. We got gifts on December 25th from Santa Claus and gifts from the 3 Kings on January 6th. That didn’t last too long here. One fat guy in a red suit? Or 3 Kings, with 3 camels! They could carry so many more gifts – you do the math. It was probably too exhausting for my parents.
All that to say this: I still can’t get used to decorating for Christmas sooo early! I can’t do it.
My friend, Pam, mocks me about all this. They already have (multiple!) trees decorated, and gifts bought and wrapped. I think that’s awesome…. I just can’t do it.
So the other day we received a huge box from her and Gene. In it were Christmas gifts for my entire family (yes, we will wait until Christmas day to open!) and this sweet little Charlie Brown tree.
I think it is just adorable!
I just love all it represents.
We always watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" each year. I still get emotional the moment Linus stands on the bare stage and recites from the 2nd chapter of the book of Luke in the Bible and tells the story of the real meaning of Christmas – about the birth of Jesus.
But this tree right here represents my dear friend’s love and care for us and her respect for my Cuban tradition.
She knows I won’t be putting up a tree anytime soon. Her exact words were, "I know you are usually a little late on the tree." (understatement!)
But we needed a place to put all the gifts they sent us!
In spite of myself I am totally enjoying this early touch of Christmas cheer.
Thanks, Pam & Gene. For your incredible thoughtfulness.
You are superior.
That is such a sweet gesture from your friend! My eyes got all teary. Then again, I’m about 7 months pregnant, so I get teary-eyed often.When my siblings and I were little, we would get the big batch of gifts on Christmas, and a few smaller things on El Dia de los Reyes. We’d go over to Little Havana, park near my great great-aunt’s duplex, and walk over to Flagler and watch the parade. There’s nothing like the holiday memories from childhood…
Ok…..no fair…..I usually decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving…or the first weekend of December. I like to give Thanksgiving it’s due. But you know that this year we will be down at Disneyland during that time, with you! I just couldn’t bear to come home to a non-decorated home. So, yes I have Many trees up, 9 to be exact. That sounds grand, and maybe it is in my little home, but most don’t have many decorations. The major tree, in the living room has the decorations. I am especially amazed at one I picked up last year on eBay. It was a rare green aluminum tree, and is an amazing color. I will send pictures via e-mail, or post them on my site. We even have the little Disneyland train going around one of the 50’s silver tree, not to mention the skinny pink tinsel tree that will have more Mickey balls on it when I return from my trip. I can’t understand waiting for December 24, but now you have a little tree to put up on the first weekend in December, and think of me! Maybe it is like drinking with the Irish…we like to do things in excess! Since I don’t drink I must channel the energy in another way! BTW, I have one of the Charlie brown trees up too! Can’t wait to see you all…..3 days! Love you, Pam
Amanda -I’m glad I could touch your sweet, hormonal Cuban memory. =D
I am truly blessed to have friends who “get” me.
Thanks for sharing.
Pam -I LOVE that you have all those incredible retro trees – the Amazing Aluminum Forest. ha!
And I LOVE my Charlie Brown tree. You bless me in so many ways!
Looking forward to a wonderful week with you!!