As I mentioned in my December 1st post, I am linking up with Mo over at mocadeaux every day until December 25th.
Today marks Day Seven of our “Partners in a Pair Tree – Kelly and Mo Celebrate December” link ups.
I invite you to have a good look at this picture. It reveals two very important facts about our McKenzie tradition of cutting down our own Christmas tree.
Number one: Note the placement of the Christmas tree. Yes, we put it into the car. Not on top of the car. It’s not that we haven’t made several attempts to put it on the roof…
… however ever since that time it slowly slid down over the windshield, obscuring my view as I drove along the Trans-Canada Highway on a wet and windy December afternoon, we have preferred to place it inside the car.
Some might say it would be too crowded in the car.
I prefer to say it’s cozy.
Number two: Note the huge picnic basket in the back seat of the car. That basket holds the carafe of hot chocolate, several ham and cheese croissants, multiple Christmas cups and perhaps most important of all …
… the Christmas chocolate bark.
The tree inside the car and the provision of restorative refreshments are symbols of the marked contrast to the tree days of my youth. When I was really little only my dad and my brother ventured out on the tree selection mission. They’d head up to our cabin on BC’s Sunshine Coast and choose a candidate from our property. Not lovingly tended by a professional arborist over its lifespan, it was invariably a Charlie Brown version; most likely selected because of its proximity to the gravel road and the fact that it was a Douglas Fir.
As I grew older, this “manly” concept of heading off into the wilderness and chopping a personally selected tree was abandoned. With my mom, sister and me getting in on the act, the site inexplicably changed to a tree lot in Richmond, the closest town with rural roots. We’d cruise Richmond looking for a lot with the greatest variety of cut Douglas Fir trees wedged vertically against the temporary fencing. Tree selection was swift and once our choice was hurled onto my dad’s hand hewn wooden roof rack and securely fastened with twice the amount of cord necessary, we would drive straight back home.
Of all the Christmas traditions of my childhood this one ranks amongst the highest of those I want to pass on to my children. I want them to inhale one intoxicating whiff of a Douglas Fir bough and be instantly whisked back to the Christmases of their youth. The added bonus of modern tree farms giving us the opportunity to cut our own tree is pure Christmas magic. How can I not do everything possible to ensure the adventure is as special as it should be?
My children and I have cut down our own Christmas tree since 1997. Since then, once the word got out, we’ve been joined by several of my brother’s and sister’s kids. With the exception of last year when only Henry and I were available, many have come on the adventure multiple times. We now collectively refer to this special day as “Tree Day!”
One thing that has changed over the years is the actual date for “Tree Day!” Originally orchestrated around soccer and water polo games it is now dependent on Christmas exam schedules. What hasn’t changed is the itinerary. I suspect it will be the same again this year as well. The cousins and their spouses will meet up at our house, we’ll all pile into my car and head straight to our favourite tree farm in the Fraser Valley, a mere thirty minutes from home. After carefully walking through the scented acres of potential Douglas Fir options we’ll gradually zero in on the one tree that everyone can agree upon. How long this will take is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s for certain. Once we find it, everyone will have a turn with the saw.
As always, the tree’s fall will be honoured with the respectful and obligatory “Tim-ber!” After it’s paid for and forcefully shoved lovingly placed into the car, we’ll heft the picnic basket over to the welcoming fire where we’ll linger over delicious hot chocolate and treats.
This year’s “Tree Day!” is set for just after Henry gets home. I can’t wait. To me, nothing says Christmas like the scent of a real tree. Both inside my car and inside our house.
It gives me great pleasure to add the Day Seven image to the Partners In a Pair Tree. It’s the picture of the tree and the picnic basket all snug in the back of our car. 
That’s enough about our Christmas tree traditions. I’m curious about you. Do you prefer live, cut or imitation trees? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
15 Responses
Kelly, this is lovely ! You have the most wonderful traditions that you have created with your children ! I am sure they are as excited as you are to get home and make the trek to find the perfect tree ! They will always continue these traditions, I am sure.
I have actually never cut down a tree, but always done the tree lot route. We always go as a family to find “The” tree! Never will I have an artificial tree in my house! My Mum mentioned it one year after I had left home, so I let her know I wouldn’t come home if she did. Needless to say she got a real one ! Have a wonderful day finding your tree !
So I can put you in the “cut” camp? So fun. I have several friends who love the imitation versions. No needles, no water, no mess. They swear by them. My sister even went this route one year. My mom is firmly in this camp now too. She says it’s the only way to go at 91. It actually was missing in action recently. The manager changed mom’s locker where it was stored and Mom had to get a pal to try her key on all the dozens of storage lockers. Found it finally. Phewf!
I absolutely love your dedication to traditions. I’m not at all surprised that other family members have joined in on the fun. What a great tribute to your parents that you have turned your childhood memories into a continuing family tradition.
A friend of mine is hobbling around after dropping her tree from the top of her car onto her foot yesterday. Not broken but very badly bruised. I’m going to suggest she follow your lead and put the tree in the car next year!
How on earth did you make it snow on your site? How very festive!!
Nooooo!The tree fell on her foot? Well there you go. Another reason to put it in the car. So lucky she didn’t break it. How was the tree?
I feel very fortunate to have been cozy in that very car with branches in my face and the intoxicating aroma of pine needles all around many times. Wonderful tradition! I’m looking forward to hearing how the trip goes this year 🙂
Branches in your face! Hahahahaha! Remember the year the car was filled with bright green flying bugs? Chels – we were so fortunate to have you along so many times. You’ll join us again. Of that I am certain!
A real tree, no way an artificial one, although we haven’t had one the last few years due to frisky cats and being out of town on actual Christmas day. One of my best memories of a Christmas tree is the year we stole it. Yup, stole it. We were very, very broke due to being in college and having just bought a house. And so we waited until Christmas Eve, after the tree lot had closed. All of the unsold trees were piled by a massive dumpster, ready to be chewed up by the compost machine the next day. DH and a friend hefted themselves over the fence, and with my and the friend’s girlfriend’s guidance from the sidelines, we chose the perfect tree from that pile. Back home, with hot chocolate laced with ample Kahlua, it was one of the most fun decorating times we ever had.
I cannnot, absolutely cannot, tell you how much I LOVE this story Linda. So much fun and so very true to the spirit of Christmas. You saved a tree from the composter! Love it. Thank you so much for sharing. You actually put me in the mood for a hot chocolate laced with ample Kahlua. Think 1:25 on a Saturday afternoon is too early? Hmmm. It is December …
Oh Kelly, I would have loved to affiliate myself to your family so I could participate in this one big wonderful tradition you’ve created out of so many small wonderful ones. First of all I LOVE the fact that there’s a basket there. And that there’s food in it. And the kind of food that’s in the basket that’s there. 🙂 I love that you’ve been cutting your own tree since 1997. Your children are very very lucky and you are awesome.
Aw – thank you Katia. Does my heart good to read this. I saw so many cars with trees today – mostly on their roofs. I wished one of the cars was ours and then I read your kind words. I just have to be patient. We’ll be getting our tree before I know it! Thank you!
What fun! Christmas isn’t the same without a real tree. This year, we’re cutting down a small cedar from our own land. It’s been growing unchecked inside an ancient brick barbeque (did you know that barbeques were once made of brick? I did not). We need to remove it before its roots tear through the mortar. All year, we’ve watched this tree grow, knowing it would be our Christmas tree this year. It’s been both sweet… and a little bittersweet, too. (Not unlike many Christmases.)
Yes I did know barbecues used to be brick! I helped my dad build one years ago. So understand the bittersweet aspect of cutting down the tree. Take a pic of it before you cut it.
Taking a pic is a great idea! Thanks!