From Heirloom to Garbage Bag: A Christmas Memoir

My first Thanksgiving in Evanston, Wyoming held a special significance, marked by Ericka’s visit shortly before her January move. The town’s quaint charm and the crisp autumn air created an ideal backdrop for our time together. Reunited, we ventured along nearby trails with our dog, Sampson; savored hot cocoa on the back porch; and lovingly prepared a traditional Thanksgiving feast. This visit was rich with laughter, deep conversations, and the quiet happiness of sharing time before beginning a new life together under one roof. The holiday not only deepened our connection but also made Evanston feel more like home for us both.

With the holiday spirit already in the air, we decided to dive into the festive mood a bit early this year by decorating for Christmas before Ericka flew home. I eagerly descended to the basement to retrieve holiday decorations that had been stored away since my move. Dusting off old boxes filled with twinkling lights, glittering ornaments, and nostalgic keepsakes, I felt a wave of holiday cheer washing over me. Each decoration seemed to carry its own tale, from handcrafted ornaments to delicate, time-honored baubles. I hoped setting up the Christmas tree together would bring a sense of warmth and togetherness, making it an ideal way to say goodbye to Ericka before her flight home and allowing the festive spirit to continue even after her departure. 

The process of unboxing Grandma’s artificial Christmas tree proved to be an adventure. Its distinctive pole, with carefully carved notches designed for each branch to slot into place, reflected an old-fashioned attention to detail reminiscent of treasured Christmas customs. However, excitement soon gave way to frustration when we discovered the wobbly, unstable stand, which made it challenging to set up the tree without fear of it toppling. After what felt like hours of effort, we finally managed to secure the base firmly. Yet, our enthusiasm was soon dampened by branches that stubbornly refused to stay fixed in their notches. Despite careful adjustments, they continued to slip and slide, as if deliberately defying us. This unexpected challenge tested our patience, turning what appeared to be a simple task into a maddening puzzle. The stubborn branches forced us to reconsider our strategy, trying various angles and fastening techniques, all while wrestling with mounting frustration. Ultimately, overwhelmed by irritation, I grabbed the beloved family heirloom, marched into the kitchen, and shoved the whole tree into a garbage bag! 

As I dramatically flung the bag holding Grandma's old Christmas tree out the back door, Ericka couldn’t suppress a laugh, her eyes gleaming with amusement. Sensing the mix of frustration and holiday spirit in the air, she gently suggested, “Why don’t we just head to Walmart and pick out a new Christmas tree?” Her calm and practical idea was exactly what I needed to counter my melodramatic outburst, transforming the stressful moment into an opportunity for us to create new festive memories together. The idea of strolling through aisles brimming with sparkling lights and shiny decorations immediately brightened my spirits, and I hoped that a swift shopping trip would help restore the season’s joy. 

However, despite the typical holiday cheer that usually envelops the season, I found myself increasingly irritable while maneuvering through Walmart’s congested aisles, packed with tinsel, ornaments, and garlands all vying for attention. The real challenge lay not only in finding decorations that would bring warmth to my home but also in sticking to a budget. I sifted through bins and shelves, searching for the ideal tree that wouldn’t be too costly, all while weaving through the continuous stream of other shoppers. Under the harsh glare of fluorescent lighting, my frustration mounted, each price tag and sparkling bauble becoming a small conflict between wanting and practicality. Though I wished to fully embrace the festive preparations, the chaotic shopping environment tested my patience, nearly prompting me to abandon the hunt empty-handed. 

As my frustration began to bubble to the surface, Ericka mischievously held up a stocking emblazoned with the festive phrase "Ho Ho Ho," flashing it with a playful grin. "How 'bout this one, ho?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with humor and challenge. Her timing was impeccable; just as I felt my annoyance mounting, her witty remark lightened the mood instantly. There was something disarming about her clever boldness, as she used holiday spirit to remind me not to take things too seriously. In that instant, some of my frustration eased, and I grabbed a stocking emblazoned with “NOEL” across a reindeer’s rear. “I’ll claim the ‘Ho’ if you’re ‘NOEL the fat-assed reindeer’!” I joked. All my vexation vanished as we stood in the Walmart aisle, clutching our festive stockings and bursting into laughter. What had begun as a chaotic, last-minute Christmas shopping trip filled with crowded aisles, endless choices, and distracting noise, transformed into a joyful moment brimming with anticipation. The shining gold letters against the subdued burgundy and green stockings caught the fluorescent light, sparking a playful excitement for the season ahead. These sarcastic stockings were more than mere buys; they symbolized a small triumph and a shared joy, a reminder of the magic Christmas brings, capable of transforming even the most stressful chores into treasured memories. 

Until we had children, the sarcastic "Ho" and fat-butted "NOEL" stockings graced our Christmas decorations, adding a cheeky and irreverent twist to the traditional holiday décor. These quirky stockings, with their playful humor and bold designs, always reminded us of the frustration turned to laughter of our first Christmas together. However, once little feet began to patter through the house, those whimsical accents made way for more child-friendly decorations: glittering ornaments, twinkling fairy lights, and stockings carefully chosen to inspire wonder and joy. While the hilarious "Ho" and "NOEL" stockings still reside in a box tucked away among holiday memories, they remain a cherished reminder of a time when Christmas cheer was expressed with a wink and a nudge, capturing the unique charm of our family’s holiday evolution.