We got our Christmas tree on Saturday. The kids had been looking forward to it all week. We had such a wonderful time picking it out.  This is our fourth Christmas together as a blended family. It has really become quite a joy to watch the children cherish their new family traditions. We went to our usual cut-it-yourself tree farm, but they did not have the size of tree we wanted. Apparently we got the biggest tree last year. Instead we went to another tree farm and in spite of the rain,  had a blast finding just the right tree. We got a cypress. No needles. Full and thick with lots of stiff branches to hang our combined collection of ornaments. When we got home, Paul and the boys put it in the stand and anchored it to the wall (a necessary precaution  here in earthquake country) and we all decorated it. Sophia and Mark thought the tree needed more lights so they made  a run to the store to get some more. Everyone had their input, particularly me who went through all the boxes of decorations to make sure all the important ones got on the tree. Each ornament has a story and a sentimental memory. The cinnamon dough ornaments my girls made in kindergarten, the painted ceramic ones Cheryl made in preschool and the “Baby’s first Christmas” ornaments that were gifts from friends and relatives. I even have decorations I made with my mother when I was a child. All those memories,  past, present and future, are on that tree. It is that one constant that makes every Christmas “The best Christmas ever!”

The next day the children went Christmas shopping together to buy presents for each other. This is another blended family tradition we started. Rather than Paul and I shopping for all the kids’ gifts, we give them money and let them do it themselves. They really get into the spirit of giving and this year was especially poignant because somehow Cheryl lost a big portion of her money and was quite upset. The other children all chipped in to give her what they had left over so she could finish her shopping and Sophia consoled her by saying, “Let’s just imagine that the person who found it was someone who really needed it.” I think having the love and support of your family is the greatest Christmas gift of all.”