Making Cinnamon Apple Cider and Taking Out the Tree

Brrrr, it's snowing and it's really cold out there. Okay, so it's not really cold and the weather outside is not frightful at the moment but I'm thinking about winter and the smell of pine needles. I'm allergic to real trees but it doesn't stop me from smelling them from afar.

I was thinking about the beginning of our holidays when people start pulling their trees out of the basement or closet and for those who actually venture outdoors and get a real tree, I applaud you. With thoughts racing along like a string of christmas lights, I pondered the set up and decoration of our trees. I'm sure you have a favorite way of decorating your tree. I used to change my theme from year to year but as I acquired more and more ornaments I just started putting all of them on the tree.

My tree is a revolving tree so I get to see all of my ornaments in their shining glory. There was many a Christmas when I never saw the ornaments on the back of my previous trees and that just causes mayhem for the front of your tree. Why you ask? Well, what do you think? I'll give you a hint. You wind up placing all your best ornaments in the front and relegate secondary ornaments to the back. Yes, you got it....the front of your tree starts looking like an ornament clearance sale at your local department store. I do recomend buying your self a revolving tree if you are allergic to natural Christmas trees. I myself cannot touch a limb of a real tree since it causes me to get welts. In any case, I'm sure you know what's best for yourself and your family.

How to start with the decorating of your tree. Well, in my case, my dear sweet mother Rosa always let us decorate our tree when we were growing up. Rosa's rules?

Have your ornament hooks at the ready!

1. (Unless you have a pre-lit revolving Christmas tree like me you may skip this rule.) String lights around the limbs of your tree. You may need over 15 strings of 100 bulb lights for a 6-7ft. tree.

2. Garland. Garland is so versatile. So many styles to choose from. I have a garland with beaded gold stars. I use about 7 strands for my 6 1/2ft tree. I'm guessing my garlands are about 5 yrds each. I've hooked them together for easy set up. People still love that shiny gold, silver or even multi-colored garland that was so popular in yonder days. Nowadays you can choose garlands with stars, candies, angels, santas, elfs,...the sky's the limit! I start from top to bottom and hook the last part to one of the branches with an ornament hook.

3. Big ball ornaments. These you use inside the tree to give it definition. An added bonus for doing this is that the twinkling lights will reflect and bounce off of the big ornaments. You can buy these big ornaments at Wal-Mart, Target..etc. These are less than $3.00 a box and if you get about five boxes that should cover the inside of your tree from top to bottom. Use the multi-colored ornaments for a colorful and full look for your tree.

4. Heavy Ornaments. Typically, Mother said to always place your heaviest ornaments at the top and middle sections of your tree. You can still do that but now you can buy hooks or ties to safely secure them leaving you free to place them anywhere on your tree.

5. Place your mid-sized ornaments next. Balls, figurals, your homemade treasures. Scatter them around your tree and step back a few times to view your placement. Some ornaments compliment each other so I tend to remember which of my ornaments look best together.

6. Small ornament fillers. These are the smaller ornaments that may be figural as well. I have tons of these type of ornaments and they just sparkle from the right placement. I use these to fill gaps and holes.

7. Tinsel or no Tinsel? I had not used tinsel in years but I once got so nostalgic that I raced over to an auction site and purchased five boxes of lead tinsel. I still have it. You may refer to my cautionary paragraph in one of the previous page elements about using this tinsel.

8. Stand back and admire your tree and re-work areas that you don't admire.

9. Drink a cup of Deanna's Apple Cider and listen to some Christmas carols.

Thanks mom!