O Tannenbaum

As has been custom for the last few years, at least the ones in which I was in this country for the end of November, I have put up Christmas decorations right after Thanksgiving. This year, I was determined to keep that tradition even though everything else in my life is on a brand new schedule.

On Sunday, I set up the aluminum tree I purchased off ebay just before they became fashionable. The original box is really showing signs of wear and tear and I wonder how many more Chirstmases it will hold up. The tree itself is in no better shape, some branches are saggy and some of the aluminum "needles" are so bent out of shape, it looks more sad than festive. But once the tree was up, it looked fine.

Last night, I decorated the tree with newly purchased PINK clear ornaments. I couldn't have been happier to find a large selection of baubles in my favorite color. I mulled some wine and enlisted the help of New Boyfriend. I was enthralled with what his artistic contributions might be to my delightfully pink confection. I was not disappointed. His eye for composition resulted in a beautifully decorated tree that I am quite proud of. As Let It Snow played in the background for the eighth time by the fourth singer, it occurred to me that there are only about a dozen Christmas songs that play in heavy rotation at my house each year. Sure there are different variations by different singers from different eras, but there hasn't really been any decent additions to the Christmas collection since the 50's, Chipmunks notwithstanding.

I'm also disregarding Country Music, since I tend to disregard it altogether. That genre seems to find a way to make Christmas sappy and maudlin every year with some new addition to the cache involving dying children, dying parents and not enough money for a last Christmas present before he/she dies.

My New Boyfriend was raised in Switzerland, which I assume makes him privy to all sorts of Christmas music I never learned at Park Avenue Baptist Church. I should have him sing O Tannenbaum to me. In German. There must be some other songs from EuroChristmas. St Nick? Father Christmas? Isn't there some type of an anti-Santa that threatens children when they are bad? Doesn't he have a theme song?

It's November 28th and I can't get Sleigh Ride out of my head.