This year, we had to go small since we have such a small place. I walked down Broadway and found a little 4 footer and carried it home on my shoulder. No husband required. It was already in a cute little tree stand. I opened the cabinet where all of the ornaments are stored and started going through them. Those that made the cut when we moved include: a hideous stuffed unicorn (the first Christmas ornament my husband ever bought me), a tree topper star (made by my husband when we couldn't afford one), an antique angel with a cracked face (purchased the next year when we had more money), 2 paper stars with crayon pictures colored by the kids, several bells bought for us by dear friends, 2 starfish-turned-Santas made by the kids, wooden cut-outs of the kids' names, sweet little boy/girl snow people with our names on them, 2 glass ornaments purchased at a seaside flea market, a potato representing my husband the year he was very ill, a penguin representing a book my husband wrote, and a strand of gold glass beads that hung on the family tree from the time I was a baby. I also have a small collection of Santa figurines that adorn the mantle, all of which have been given to me by my mother-in-law over the years.
Each year as I decorate the tree, my mind wanders back to events connected with each item and my heart just sings. I just can't explain it.