When we lived in Turkey, they didn't celebrate Christmas. They didn't sell any Christmas trees anywhere (unless you count the beyond pathetic excuse for one they put up in a plant at the BX).
We now live in a country that does celebrate Christmas. But they still celebrate it differently. I don't believe they "do" Christmas trees. (I've never seen them sold anywhere.)
Thank goodness I bought that pre-lit 220 Christmas tree from my neighbor right before we left Turkey!
As we decorate, there is a knowledge that "this is it." We are too late in the season for anything to reach us by mail that hasn't already been mailed. There is no Walmart or Target or Mall to get last minute things at. Therefore, you have what you have. You have this one tree. You have these lights.
And since we live in a 220 house and most everything we own is 110, it means not much can be used. Or if it is used you need a big transformer and a whole lot of electricity and it almost isn't worth it sometimes since there are so few outlets to begin with!
This year our family is bigger by two amazing grandparents. I can't even begin to tell you how different it feels to decorate and do the things we usually do alone -- with family here with us!
It's beyond words. Truly.
Here are the kids helping me decorate the tree. (By the way, three kiddos hanging glass ornaments is enough to give even this laid-back mom a real heart attack!)
Both boys wanted to help hang the star, so here is what we came up with:
And here is the finished product:
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