Well, I also remember an aluminum tree, complete with rotating 4 color light. However, although I have many fond memories of my parents (both now deceased) during those Christmases, I can’t honestly say that the tree was my favorite. In fact, then as now I prefer a traditional green tree with multi-colored lights. The metal just didn’t do it for me….
My maternal grandparents had that same aluminum tree with the rotating light. Helped put together from my earliest Xmas memories. I was living halfway across the country when Mamaw Ruby passed 20 years ago, that tree, her books, all gone, probably discarded thoughtlessly. Thanks for reminding me of her.
I fondly remember a flocked aluminum tree we once had. It had gold ornamental balls. One year I was allowed to set it up in my bedroom. If I remember, that was the year my parents had bought a live holly bush to use as a tree that was later planted in our yard. The next year we used a live sasanqua tree. It had the advantage of being “pre-decorated” with delicate pink flowers.
Our first Christmas tree was a small, live one that we paid too much money to get. I bought a set of balsa-wood ornaments that you painted and then slotted together and had bought a crocheted Christmas Angel at a Holiday Fair for the topper. I wrapped a sheet around the base. It was beautiful. We still have most of the balsa-wood ornaments and the angel, it wouldn’t be our Christmas Tree without them.
These “first Christmas” comments are just great. The home made ornaments and straw angel tree toppers return each year and easily outshine anything Christopher Rzadko has to offer…
Daddy had a gruff side. I learned later, as an adult, that most of my cousins were afraid of him! He was a real Christmas hound, though. It was he, not Momma, who brought in sacks of oranges and nuts and tangerines at Christmas. All day Christmas Eve, he’d make solitary forays into our little downtown for one more gift. He never thought there was enough.
way back in the last century when I was a child in a southern state – the men liked to go squirrel hunting this time of year. Mama would tell Daddy when it was time to find a tree while they were out. He would slip over onto the coal company land and cut down a little cedar tree. Cedar branches are pretty limber and they could be tricky to decorate but we always made it work!
I imagine no one has ever marketed them today due to the stupid liability laws, all it takes is one MORON stringing electric lights on one to wipe out your company. I know if they were available today I would buy one, the market is there, have you seen the prices on e-bay for the old ones?
My parents gave my brother and me a new ornament each year, and when we each married, we already had about 25 ornaments to start with on our own trees. I still have most of my ornaments, dating back to 1941. When I put them on the tree each year, I think fond thoughts of Mom & Dad. We also kept up the tradition with each of our 4 children, and we still do it for them AND our grandchildren, too. We all have LOADED trees, either artificial or real. Thank you, JJ, for stirring up wonderful memories for all of us.
The fascinating thing about Christmas (for me at least) is that we were poor as were many in our town, but the holiday memories became cherished and beautiful. Today most kids have tons of toys, but very little memories to reflect on later…
Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday to all. Thank you all for participating. PS Jimmy you show the marriage we all aspire to. Not all of us do. Keep working.
duplin over 5 years ago
Well, I also remember an aluminum tree, complete with rotating 4 color light. However, although I have many fond memories of my parents (both now deceased) during those Christmases, I can’t honestly say that the tree was my favorite. In fact, then as now I prefer a traditional green tree with multi-colored lights. The metal just didn’t do it for me….
David Huie Green ForceIsAUsefulFiction over 5 years ago
His first love.
Sisu60 over 5 years ago
I wonder how many soda cans came from that tree
templebuchanan over 5 years ago
My maternal grandparents had that same aluminum tree with the rotating light. Helped put together from my earliest Xmas memories. I was living halfway across the country when Mamaw Ruby passed 20 years ago, that tree, her books, all gone, probably discarded thoughtlessly. Thanks for reminding me of her.
banjinshiju over 5 years ago
I fondly remember a flocked aluminum tree we once had. It had gold ornamental balls. One year I was allowed to set it up in my bedroom. If I remember, that was the year my parents had bought a live holly bush to use as a tree that was later planted in our yard. The next year we used a live sasanqua tree. It had the advantage of being “pre-decorated” with delicate pink flowers.
John Smith over 5 years ago
I remember…….I remember…….remember….dang, I forgot!
LadyPeterW over 5 years ago
Our first Christmas tree was a small, live one that we paid too much money to get. I bought a set of balsa-wood ornaments that you painted and then slotted together and had bought a crocheted Christmas Angel at a Holiday Fair for the topper. I wrapped a sheet around the base. It was beautiful. We still have most of the balsa-wood ornaments and the angel, it wouldn’t be our Christmas Tree without them.
Tyge Premium Member over 5 years ago
Christmas is the most nostalgic time of the year.
LoveBritTV Premium Member over 5 years ago
I don’t expect this comic to add tears to my coffee. Yet it did today.
jarvisloop over 5 years ago
Merry Christmas to my own momma, daddy, and brother (my only sibling). I’ll be thinking of you.
march145 over 5 years ago
We still use the Angel topper we had on our first Christmas tree when we were flat broke because I was in the Army 58 years ago.
Uncle Bob over 5 years ago
These “first Christmas” comments are just great. The home made ornaments and straw angel tree toppers return each year and easily outshine anything Christopher Rzadko has to offer…
david_42 over 5 years ago
When I lived in SoCal, I bought a live tree every year and planted it after New Years. Never an evergreen of any kind, though. Fruit and nut trees.
mourdac Premium Member over 5 years ago
Merry Xmas to my fellow readers. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt stories, which make Xmas special.
Prescott_Philosopher over 5 years ago
Today’s strip is quite touching.
JJ creator over 5 years ago
Daddy had a gruff side. I learned later, as an adult, that most of my cousins were afraid of him! He was a real Christmas hound, though. It was he, not Momma, who brought in sacks of oranges and nuts and tangerines at Christmas. All day Christmas Eve, he’d make solitary forays into our little downtown for one more gift. He never thought there was enough.
BC in NC Premium Member over 5 years ago
“I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really.”
caring55 over 5 years ago
way back in the last century when I was a child in a southern state – the men liked to go squirrel hunting this time of year. Mama would tell Daddy when it was time to find a tree while they were out. He would slip over onto the coal company land and cut down a little cedar tree. Cedar branches are pretty limber and they could be tricky to decorate but we always made it work!
BeniHanna6 Premium Member over 5 years ago
I imagine no one has ever marketed them today due to the stupid liability laws, all it takes is one MORON stringing electric lights on one to wipe out your company. I know if they were available today I would buy one, the market is there, have you seen the prices on e-bay for the old ones?
paulcfx over 5 years ago
My favorite memory of early Christmases was the way our real tree, usually a blue spruce, would fill the room with the scent of pine!
Chuck2Carol Premium Member over 5 years ago
My parents gave my brother and me a new ornament each year, and when we each married, we already had about 25 ornaments to start with on our own trees. I still have most of my ornaments, dating back to 1941. When I put them on the tree each year, I think fond thoughts of Mom & Dad. We also kept up the tradition with each of our 4 children, and we still do it for them AND our grandchildren, too. We all have LOADED trees, either artificial or real. Thank you, JJ, for stirring up wonderful memories for all of us.
Cminuscomics&stories Premium Member over 5 years ago
It is not about the tree. It is about those who have gone on before you.
craigwestlake over 5 years ago
The fascinating thing about Christmas (for me at least) is that we were poor as were many in our town, but the holiday memories became cherished and beautiful. Today most kids have tons of toys, but very little memories to reflect on later…
sheashea over 5 years ago
Beautiful way to wrap up that Christmas tree story!!!
jonesbeltone over 5 years ago
Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday to all. Thank you all for participating. PS Jimmy you show the marriage we all aspire to. Not all of us do. Keep working.
Galliglo over 5 years ago
Thanks for the memories, JJ…