December 26, 2022

I have never had a Christmas tree in my house.  I am Jewish. My husband is not.  Our children are Jewish. Our first dog had a Bark Mitzvah. My husband’s parents have always respected, encouraged and participated in every Jewish holiday or celebration. Our wedding, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Passover seders were all celebrated with love and happiness.  

We also celebrate Christmas with them.  Christmas is their favorite holiday.  Beautiful trees, over the top gifts, lights that illuminated all corners of the house. I loved schlepping the kids to their house, spending the night there so Santa could visit (he only went to their house), and waking up the next morning with giggles about Santa eating all the cookies left for him. 

2020 was different. That year, we celebrated Christmas at our house because we were still not allowed to visit my in-law's building due to Covid restrictions. I had no chance of recreating the beautiful decor and tree that my mother-in-law used to put up.  Did I mention that she is an interior designer? But, we had to give it a try.  We needed a Christmas tree.

My husband and son went to Home Depot with the assignment to buy a tree. I was thinking that they would come home with a beautiful tree, frosted with white tips and we would put white lights and silver ornaments on the tree. You know, Martha Stewart-esque. Nope. They came home with a pre-lit tree that had 8 different light settings from solid white to blinking colors.

After much effort the tree was erected in our dining room. With no ornaments or lights to hang on the tree, the kids and my husband started hanging parking passes, school awards, ID cards, media credentials, and anything else they could find. The tree topper was a K95 mask. My husband stood proudly and stated, “It’s the Tree of Chaos!”. 

Every year, new items are added to the tree. This year, the 3rd rendition of the Tree of Chaos is beautiful in its own way. Newly added items include an ornament from Gatorland, some silvery ribbon, and my husband's note cards from a few play by play events. The note cards have a life of their own which you can read about on his website.  My in-laws joined us this year in decorating and while there is more symmetry than normal, it is chaotic.  (see my post about putting up Christmas lights). 

“Life is nothing without a little chaos to keep it interesting”-Amelia Atwater Rhodes