Our White and Gold Themed Christmas Tree This Year

Like every other Christmas, I always have a theme I stick to when I start to decorate our tree. This year, I decided to do a white and gold themed Christmas tree. As you may all know, I love gold, and so it's just safe to say that more often than not, I gravitate towards it.

I patiently waited until Thanksgiving was over before I started putting up our tree this year. If I had it my way, I would have already pt it up as early as September. but given the circumstances of this crazy world we live in-which would have been a good enough reason to actually put up a tree and bring a sense of normalcy to our everyday life-me and the hubby were especially busy with work and too many personal things to do in between.

So yesterday, the weather was acceptable, sun was out although the chilly temperatures still creep into the house everytime I open the window or door, I decided it was the perfect day to put up our tree and decorate for this year. I brought out our totes where we store our decors and the new ornaments that I got just a couple of days ago so I could start with the decorating. With a hot cup of our traditional Filipino hot chocolate which is known as 'sikwate', in my hand, I savored the familiar taste of home. I tied my hair up to a messy bun and in my coziest sweater for chilly weather, I started decorating our tree.

As I was doing so, I could not help but think of the year that was going to be behind us in a couple of months. It was indeed a crazy year for everyone. For all of us. For the whole world. I could not help but wonder, with the incoming year just around the corner, will we be able to leave this horrendous past behind us? Or will it still linger around even as we start a whole new life and a whole new normal in the year 2021? One thing is for sure, and this I know. We will never forget the loved ones we have lost, the people that crossed and touched our lives in one way or another as we battle through this pandemic, and the lessons we have learned together as a human race.

So, again, I take another sip of my hot chocolate and for a brief moment there, I allowed myself to shrug off the sad thoughts of 2020 as I put another ornament up the tree. This time, I thought of the near future. It is another chance for us to better ourselves. Another chance to change what was and strive to find ways not only to survive, but to live. Some day, We will look back at this past and say, we went through it, and we emerged victorious. As a person, as afamily, as a nation, and as a human race.

An hour and a half alter, I finally finished the tree. I look at it from a distance and could not help but give myself a pat on the shoulder for the good work I've done. Even the hubby said so!

It's so magical having a tree up again! I love waking up in the morning and turning on the lights and immediately the house feels warm and cozy and Christmasy.

Again, if it were up to me, I would have my tree put up as early as September and will stay up to late January.

I just love looking at Christmas trees. I love the nostalgic feeling it brings and the sense of hope and positivity it emanates.

Merry Christmas!

XOXO,

Karen