Cookie Monster could watch this all day. And we could watch Cookie Monster watching this all day.
The Purple Ornament Tree
Yesterday evening, I finally put up the majority of my Christmas decorations around the house and even a few outside.
Growing up, we stopped putting up the Christmas tree at some point when I was in high school (much to my dismay). Apparently, it wasn’t worth the hassle and it made me really sad.
So, once I had enough money to buy my own cheesetastic fake Christmas tree (I’m allergic to the real thing), I have put one up every year, even when life got stressful or I wasn’t feel particularly festive (thanks, Christmas 2009).
But I’m bringing back an exciting tradition to the Balthrop home — the Purple Ornament Tree. The Purple Ornament Tree (which has only been purple since Christmas 2004), is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Purchased as a clearance item that no one wanted immediately after Christmas 2001 (how very Charlie Brown of me), this little guy has had three homes: my college apartment for Christmas 2002, our first apartment for 2003-2005 and now our home for Christmas 2006-2008 and now 2011.
The Purple Ornament Tree is my favorite tree to decorate (because I put up two in our house… because why the heck not!). It brings tears, squeals of delight (mainly from me) and holds the most amazing memories. Its history is what makes it so freakin’ awesome and I can’t wait to share it with our children someday.
Its origins date back to Christmas 2000. Justin and I had been dating for six months and most of that time was spent apart (I was at UT, he was at Pepperdine). We were young and in love. And broke. Neither of us could afford huge gifts for each other, so we made a deal. Every Christmas, we would give each other a Christmas ornament, no matter what.
Sadly, the first Christmas ornament he gave me (a glass ornament with Pepperdine University written on it), my college roomate in 2001 accidently shattered it putting it on the Christmas tree. I wouldn’t be so bitter about it, except she offered to replace it and never did. And that was the only year they made that ornament. Ugh.
In 2004, the purple Christmas lights I purchased in a clearance sale in 2003 for my March 2004 wedding (are you seeing a pattern of cheap here?!) made their debut on the fake tree. My heart exploded. If you know me at all, you know my undying love for all things purple (Except on cars. That just looks tacky.).
Weirdly enough, there have been years where Justin and I have given each other really similar ornaments and two times where the ornament was the same (including this awesome ornament) and sadly one year where Justin’s ornament to me didn’t come in time :(
And we’ve extended the Purple Ornament Tree to include Christmas ornaments from friends and family. I can tell you the orgin of every ornament on the tree, who gave it to us and the excitement level I exhibited upon receiving the ornament. I’m actually thinking about keeping a small moleskin journal documenting the ornaments just in case my memory fails (which I’m sure it will).
So, if you ever wonder what Christmas gift to give me, a sentimental ornament will always be the key to my heart.
