Finding the Tree

And gift wrapping inspiration

It’s not about getting the tree; it’s about the experience of getting the tree. The nostalgia, the wonder, the treasure found. The anticipation of it all. Wrapping ourselves in layers, brewing coffee and tea for the mugs to go. Deciding before we even leave that we’ll pop some corn when we return. Loading a happy dog into the truck and taking the winding way up the mountain.

It’s about walking through deep snow in the silent woods, not another soul around. There’s a hush in the winter forest that simply sinks into your soul. Stop. Be still. Breathe. Listen. Then, trudge again, considering every snow-laden fir that looks little-house size, human tracks and Maggie tracks weaving squiggles through the snow.

We shook snow off one, then another. Then, there she was, the littlest fir. Our littlest fir.

We cut her down, brought her home, and she’s been waiting by the picnic table ever since. (Mama Kitty’s been keeping her company.) Loves, I’m ready to bring her in. This weekend, I’ll bring her in and decorate her. I’ll play the Christmas music, light the candles, and trim the tree.

How are your holiday preparations coming along? Have you trimmed your tree? Have you wrapped your gifts? Have you baked sweet treats?

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If you’re looking for gift wrapping inspiration, here’s what I’ll be using (tearing a page from last year, if you want a peek):

This paper (my base paper - most gifts get wrapped with this. And my goodness, the roll may last the rest of our lives!)

And this paper (my accent paper - used as a wide band around larger gifts wrapped in the brown paper, or for wrapping smaller gifts entirely).

Wrapped in jute garden twine (I love the look of wrapping several times around the gift).

With shipping tags as gift tags.

And these, with this, for those in our family who cannot be bothered with gift wrap. (The quality of these bags is wonderful! We’ll reuse them for years.)