THE RED TREE

David and his "red tree"

Let me tell you about our tradition with the "red tree." The main tree we set up every Christmas is covered in red lights and red decorations. There's no gold, green or hint of white anywhere on that tree. It's all red, as in the name.. "red tree." And most of our grown children have carried on this tradition of the red tree, mainly because of the memories they have of Christmas growing up. And every year since I've been married, if I even attempted to add a touch of gold on the red tree Ken would say, "what's that gold doing on the red tree?" So, I've always kept the "red tree" red, even down to the wrapped presents under that red tree. Yes, all red paper is used.

Sarah's going along with tradition!

Once a friend of Chris' (Eric Pearson) brought over a lovely gift for me (that I loved), but it was wrapped in blue paper. Yikes! Sorry Eric, but I had to bury that blue under the red wrapped gifts because it didn't work with the "red tree!" Weird huh? Well, there's a story behind the red tree, and lots of memories of Christmas' past. (tear)

Ben & Cooper's kids and their "red tree"

Ken and I were married in September of 1974. In 1979 we bought our first home in Orem, Utah - actually a block or two from where our daughter, Angela and her family currently live. Like most new home owners, we were "house-poor" and didn't have the money that year to purchase a tree and ornaments at Christmastime. Ken was still working at Devey's - a men's clothing store in the Orem Mall - and in the front of the store stood the original "red tree," beautiful - covered in tiny red lights woven tightly in and out of the branches, and on every branch laid a beautiful velvet red poinsettia. Ken loved that tree and would tell me about all of the people that would come into the store complimenting him on how lovely that tree was. So, long story short...

Angela and Eddie's "red tree" plus whimsical!

On Christmas Eve that year, Ken brought Devy's store's red tree home and set it up in the family room of our new home. It was beautiful, and we loved it. We kept that beautiful "red tree" for years and to this day, even with all of the new red glitzy and fancy-dancy ornaments I have collected, purchased and added, I still use fifteen (15) strands of little red lights (usually buy out Target), and I include red poinsettia's on the branches in remembrance of that original "red tree." The original tree has been replaced three times, but the memories never will be replaced, they will just be added upon.

Chris and Lesa's Red Tree in Poland

When I see my kids carrying on the tradition of the "red tree," it makes me smile. And wherever Chris is playing in the world, he and Lesa have carried on the tradition with the red tree, even in countries where Christmas ornaments are scarce somehow he finds items to decorate with. Thank you kids! I love you with my whole heart!

Our 2012 "Red Tree"

Josh & Ashleigh's "red bush"?

Our "Red Tree!" xo