Rock To Wind A String Around

A recipe for a tasty tree

Using the way-back machine:

Prepare to set up majestic tree in a corner of the tiny 2-flat livingroom in December of 1999.

Open box of ornaments and realize that the tin stars (in box) have 5! points each.

Agree with BFF that these look sort of sharp and dagger-like as they fall from the tree.

Agree that the 11 month old Elliott looks handsome with 2! eyes

Agree with BFF that a paper-only Christmas should be instituted.

Sit down with BFF to make origami boxes and stars to cover tree.

Make 6 boxes and 4 stars

Decide origami is for chumps and buy a great roll of white giftwrap from Hallmark to craft snowflakes, lots and lots of snowflakes (that have turned translucent over the last 9 years–it really is great paper)

Set way-back machine to medium and consider 2000:

Decide tree looks too bare–make delightful, whimsical paper stars and circles to hang on accordion pleats.

In 2001, conscript small boy (with 2! eyes):  make many paper chains for the tree

In 2002,  conscript small boy (still with eyes numbering 2):  make many paper chains for the tree

Decide in 2003 that paper chains are so 2002.  Find delightful new garland to make using dental floss (a winning ingredient in any holiday plan) gum drops, colored straws, and construction paper circles.  Encourage visiting grandmother  to ‘enjoy’ this project with the rest of us.  Giggle helplessly as delightful Gigi curses (more than once) while involved.  Hang these on the tree for one season only–those ridiculous gumdrops are sticky.

In 2004, make delicious cinnamon applesauce star and gingerboy ornaments for the tree (boy child participates fully in this endeavor). Add button wreaths to the mix.  Receive ornaments from childhood as a gift–leave them packed in a box.

Add paper doves in 2005 (again with help from the family)

Woven paper hearts in 2006 (see above for participating members)

In the holiday bonanza of 2007, make new cinnamon and applesauce dough ornaments for the tree–bossy boy begs for ornaments shaped like cable cars, but A, we can’t find a cookie cutter to facilitate this insanity and 2.  we are moving across the country 2 days after Christmas–why oh why are we decorating anything?  At the last-minute, decide that I must make felted mittens for our holiday dinner with friends.  The remaining mittens climb on the tree.

In 2008, decide that the children will love making pompom garland for the tree, with real live pompoms.  22 minutes later, find self stringing pompoms (alone) while boy declares the project “too hard” and small girl acts toddlerish and goes to bed at her normal time.   3 seconds later (or 2 days, this recipe is flexible) help boy  (who still has 2! eyes) make rag ball ornaments, so he can do a project for the tree, because he always makes something new for the tree.  Resist urge to gaffle boy over pompom garland refusal.  Later that day, scatter small pony bead across kitchen floor so Astrid Meklit can make her own pipecleaner/bead ornament.  Leave the beads for 2 additional days because, “I still working on my job.”

As a final touch, sit under the tree alone tonight, and marvel at the amount of “us” that’s gone into this recipe over the last 9 years:  doves,  origami boxes and stars, accordion hoo-has, button wreaths, snowflakes, rag balls, and pompoms.  It’s the most delicious thing we’ve ever made. Those ready-made ornaments of my youth can’t hold a candle to such homemade goodness…

Tomorrow, I’m mailing one of the original origami stars to my BFF.  She has her own 10 month old now.  I think she’s going to need it…