A couple of weeks ago we were asked what our favorite Christmas movie was. I was late to the party as usual and didn’t get my response in on time. Well today I’m here to declare that A Charlie Brown Christmas Special is my favorite, maybe not movie, but let’s say holiday feature.  Every year my brother and I would plan around when it would be on television. I can still remember the CBS intro to every special broadcast. It gave me shivers. The good kind. Still does. The reason I love it is because I can completely identify with Charlie Brown even though my brother thought I was more of a Lucy (insert eye roll).

Charlie just wanted to have a simple, meaningful Christmas and that little tree was the perfect symbol of his heart’s desire. Trimming the tree is my favorite part of the holiday too, Charlie. Even after decorating the trees at the store I go home and gleefully pull out each ornament and relieve every memory of Christmases past.

Our tree is not one of those gorgeous creations with all the color coordinated glittery balls and bells, silk ribbon and bows. Nope, mine is a beautiful mess of memories. Every ornament holds a special meaning. There is one ornament that I remember buying in 1994 on a day-long shopping trip to Tulsa, when we were young and poor living in Muskogee, Oklahoma. My two girlfriends and I went to Utica Square mall to shop under the lights then off to St. Michael’s Alley for chili and the best German potato salad this side of, well, Germany. It was just a day. One with friends that I have long lost touch with, but I won’t forget them. I can’t, because I think of them every year at Christmas. 

Most of our ornaments have to do with our family. There is a little green race car on the tree because at one time Will had a little green race car. He doesn’t remember it, but I do. There is a bust of Artemis that reminds me of Kate’s encyclopedic knowledge of mythology. Ornaments from every trip we have taken together or places that we love are reminders of our time together. The finishing touch is antique glass icicles that my grandmother gave me for Christmas when I was in high school. One of the last gifts she gave me before she died. They are gingerly placed on the tree, and I remember her.

As always, Red Barn Mercantile has trees dripping with ornaments. Twelve of them to be exact.  All waiting for you to take home and remember this time in your life. It’s a privilege for us to be part of your family tradition and we can’t thank you enough. Happy tree trimming, friends!

Click on the carousel below to see our many, many special ornaments:

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