When I was growing up in Finland, we would get our tree in the morning of the 24th. Then we would go home and decorate it. The reason that the tree had to be fresh is because we would put real live candles on it. In the countryside people would take the extra brances that are cut off the bottom of the tree and lay them on the front porch. These were then used to wipe feet on before entering the house - kind of like a door mat. I have done that at my house a few times. One time when I opened the door, the person who was there was careful not to step on them. Maybe it's not a good custom for Utah?
I have been Americanized, and so we get our tree early now - which means definitely no real candles. To get a tree this early in the season is fun! We get to enjoy the fresh "piney" smell and the green color of the forest the whole month.
Today we draped some lights on it but are yet to hang the decorations on. Actually it looks beautiful without anything on it, or just with the lights. Maybe tomorrow we will finish decorating.
I love the feeling of the upcoming Christmas season! It's interesting to think that although holidays are the same, customs for these holidays can differ so much from place to place. For example, in Canada our thanksgiving comes much earlier than America's, and since we start getting ready for Christmas right after thanksgiving, we have our trees and decorations up really early, for almost two months! I would LOVE to see a tree with real candles on it though, I think that would be beautiful!
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