Comfort Tree

The “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree settled in my office with the first ornaments. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Comfort Tree

This has been such an odd year, marking at least for me a new way of life. With all of the changes COVID has imposed to stay safe, being at home most of the time has meant making changes to spaces I regularly use, such as my business office. I also happen to have ongoing construction to rebuild my decks, which explains the glass railings leaning against the door out to the currently non-existent deck in the photos, a story for another time.

In the meantime, I have several Christmas projects to complete. I usually have a tiny Christmas tree on the work table to set the mood. This year, I decided to have a full Christmas tree. Nothing big or elaborate, I have only a tiny space where I can put one and still have room to walk by. After an online search of what was available, I set off to locally find a tall skinny Christmas tree that would nicely settle into a 24-inch space.

Lots of trees but not many skinny ones. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

To no one’s surprise, I happen to know the staff of this retailer’s garden center quite well. They were busy selling Christmas trees and told me most were already sold out and would not be restocked. In the short time I waited, the white flecked trees seem to be the popular choice. Along with rolls of toilet paper.

For me there was this one and only thin, almost forlorn looking Christmas tree. I called it a “Charlie Brown Christmas tree” after the popular Christmas story and cartoon where they end up with a little sad Christmas tree with one ornament. The point of the story is that it’s the Christmas spirit, not the shape of the tree, that counts.

Skinniest tree of the lot, looked the most realistic and was the right size. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

After checking all of the stocked shelves, this was the one and only skinny tree left. A friend suggested I ask for the display model and see if they would discount it since it was the last one.

And like that, the skinny tree was in my cart and headed home with a $10 discount. I do so love a bargain. And yes, those are real pine cones wired to the tree limbs.

I also stocked up on sunflower seeds and cat treats; should be all set with the other necessities.

Because it was the display model, the retailed knocked off $10. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Once in my office, I added a string of lights I bought on sale a good 25 years ago, then found a box of ornaments my mother had given me the last Christmas we were together. She loved to shop the after Christmas sales so the ornaments were from our last shopping spree together; a collection of animal ornaments dressed for the holidays.

Adding a box of ornaments my mother gave me decades ago. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

As I plugged in the Christmas tree lights for the first time, it struck me this was a comfort tree, a lovely addition to my work space that will offer beauty and represent hope.

I enjoyed decorating the tree and thinking of my Mom as I unwrapped each ornament. She knew how much I loved animals so I appreciated her collecting the variety. And it was nice to give the ornaments their first tree to decorate.

I may add a few more when I decorate for Christmas over Thanksgiving weekend. In the meantime, this seems an appropriate addition to this tiny Santa’s workshop annex as I finish making gifts.

The 7-foot pencil tree all dressed up and ready to shine. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins0

Once construction is done, the carpet in my office gets replaced. And for fans of the two cat nuggets i adopted after finding them abandoned May 24, 2020 on a county road, Etta Girl kept me company decorating the tree. James was napping on the office sofa. I fully expect him to check out the tree tomorrow.

Well yes, one of my kittens admired the tree. Etta, leave the tree alone! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

One more serendipitous surprise.

As I was unwrapping the ornaments Mom gave me, I found this charming bear couple holding a bee skep and honey jar surrounded by flying bees. What a coincidence to have this ornament now in my collection; having bees in my garden wasn’t even a consideration two decades or so ago!

Maybe this should be my tree topper.

Charming bears with honey bees ornament! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Some people would rather wait to put up a Christmas tree until after Thanksgiving. This one is so small and easy to decorate ,I would recommend adding it to a work space, den or kitchen corner, somewhere you can see it.

Make it a family project. Get together and make ornaments and garland, and be grateful for what you have. It sure brought me joy!

Charlotte