By Jackson Swearer
A Certain Point of View
It’s Christmas time, and I am loving it even more than usual this year.
We wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate the inside of our house, but we wasted no time getting out the holiday decorations last Friday. Decorating was a full family affair, and all were in good spirits.
To be clear, we don’t go all out. Some people have much more impressive displays. But we do enjoy changing our decor with the season, and this time of year is perfect to spread some holiday cheer.
This year, my wife, Erin, and I had a lengthy debate, lasting over several days prior to Friday, about whether to buy a live tree. Pros and cons were weighed. We decided to stick with the same fake tree we have had since we bought our first house in 2018. I am glad we did.
As I reflect on the weekend, my ‘point of view’ this Monday evening includes our trusty old Christmas tree filled with ornaments. From the outside, the lights on the tree fill the front window. I hope it brings a smile to the face of those who walk or drive by.
From the inside, taking in the tree from across the room brings me a smile. Through the years, we have gathered a small collection of ornaments for the tree, many of them with their own stories. Hanging them together and reminiscing is one of my family’s holiday traditions.
We add new stories every year, and usually at least one new item to go along with them. They may represent momentous events. Some help us remember those no longer with us. One of my favorites is a glass peace sign honoring one of Erin’s late uncles. A few are just a lot of fun, like the knit penguin in a red stocking cap.
Speaking of things that are for fun, the newest piece of holiday decor we added this year was a bathroom nightlight: Santa and a snowman roasting marshmallows. I just couldn’t pass it up when I saw it checking out at a local flower shop back in November. The owner said my kid would love it—they were right.
Our toddler, going on threenager, adds even more holiday cheer to the occasion. He is quite the good helper. His new phrase of the weekend was “Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas, boys and girls!” He was eager to have the honor of placing the first wrapped present under the tree.
I generally don’t include our son in my columns, preferring to give the little guy his privacy while he is growing up. I skipped the column about potty training. But I do have to say that seeing the holiday through the eyes of a child brings all the more joy for the adults as well.
After the decorating was done, we hosted a small family gathering with my sister and brother-in-law, visiting from St. Louis. It was a sort of Thanksgiving, Round 2, but with ham instead of turkey and the wrong decorations. Everyone was stuffed, regardless, and filled with holiday spirit.
Jackson Swearer is the Publisher and Managing Editor of The Hutchinson Tribune. He can be reached at jackson@hutchtribune.com.