O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Wie true sind deine Blätter!
O Christmas Tree, o Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!
A week ago, we put up the decorations throughout the house to catch the Holiday spirit, but it really doesn’t feel like Christmas until we get a tree. Yesterday morning, Jeff and I grabbed our coffee cups and headed out the door to find our Christmas tree. Deeply in conversation, we missed the turn-off for our first choice lot, and so we headed to the second lot further down the road. (Another sign that we are getting old!)
As we pulled into the lot, we could see that it had been pretty picked over. Wow, were we THAT late this year? But we were pleasantly surprised to find many good trees still available. In fact, I’d say that there really weren’t any “bad” trees in the lot. Of course, over the years, we had bought some interesting “Charlie Brown” trees. It’s really hard to know what your getting when you’re on the lot. You can shake the tree down a bit, to see how it falls, but until the braches fully thaw, well, it’s a crap shoot.
So we followed our usual procedure for tree-buying. I’d find a tree that was the right height, and then Jeff would shake it down and I’d admire the branches while he admired the trunk. (You don’t want a crooked trunk!) And we discovered one great tree after another, much to our surprise. We finally settled on a mammoth fir tree. It was absolutely beautiful, on the lot of course. Being the only customer, we approached the gentleman working, with our bounty.
I should backtrack here and mention that we purchased this tree from the Boy Scouts. That has been our tradition since our own boys were in Scouts, and, even though each year we discuss going elsewhere for a tree, we always end up with the Scouts.
So we went to pay for the tree. As my eyes scanned the pricelist ($98, GULP!), the guy said, “Make me an offer.” Jeff had also scanned the price list. His eyes had settled on the Balsam Firs, which were listed at $64. (We had a Fraser Fir.) So he offered $50. I about fell over, as Jeff has never been a good negotiator, and I have often told him that he needs to “start lower” if he is going to barter. So his price of $50 shocked me, to say the least. The guy said, “Done deal.” And away we went with our beautiful 9 foot tree. It was quite a discussion on the way home, as I told Jeff he had bartered quite well, and we had to get home so he could read the tag to realize that he really HAD gotten a good deal. LOL
A full day later, as I sit here drinking my coffee in the quiet of the morning, I gaze at my not-yet-decorated tree and marvel at its beauy. This tree is truly one of the best we’ve had yet. Now that the branches are fully extended, there is not a hole to be found. Wait, I see a bit of trunk from one view, but it’s against the wall. No problem! But the branches are so lush and green and, well, delightful!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us.
They’re green when summer days are bright;—
They’re green when winter snow is white.
O, Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!
How oft at Christmas tide the sight,
O green fir tree, gives us delight!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much pleasure!
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
Forever true your colour.
Your boughs so green in summertime
Stay bravely green in wintertime.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
Forever true your colour.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
You fill my heart with music.
Reminding me on Christmas Day
To think of you and then be gay.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree
You fill my heart with music.