Clashing over the Christmas Tree

I always described myself as an easy-going person.  But it became very obvious this year that I like to decorate the Christmas tree a certain way.  And I am extremely uptight about it.

But first let me say that I have been grumbling about how Hubs insists we get a real tree.  It seems we have had issues over the past four years with our trees.  Four years ago we celebrated our first Christmas in this house and supposedly I selected a tree that ended up being too tall and about 8 inches extra had to get cut off at home and it ended up scratching the newly painted ceiling pretty bad.  And then one year the tree didn't get watered one day and supposedly it dried out.  And a couple years ago to compensate for the under-watering drama that occurred, I overwatered the tree stand, and it overflowed and got under the wood floors in one spot and the floor buckled.  A little.

So every year I talk about getting an artificial tree, but Hubs won't hear of it.  This year he stated that we wouldn't support China if we bought one from the U.S.  I agreed.  So off we went to the usual Home Depot the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  We typically let it sit in its stand for a day or so.

Then he tells me that this year he'd like to have some colored lights instead of all white ones.  Since our ornaments have evolved into bright colors (a million years ago before kids we had Victorian looking tree decor).  I agreed that this would look good and wondered where I could find those bright jewel-toned lights.  Then he clarifies that he'd like to get those large, old-fashioned looking lights--the ones from when we were kids, that got really, really hot.  Well, we already have the old school colored lights outside, which look pretty neat, so I agreed to look for them (not thinking I'd find them).  And I do the shopping because there are actually some areas that I am not laid back and that is using coupons and saving money.  He would have never known that those lights were at Michaels crafts for buy one, get one at 50%.  So I brought home 6 packages (they are plastic over mini-lights so no hotness or electricity sucking from these).  I am 100% sure that we supported Michael's and China with that purchase.

I can't even tell you how bummed I was after I put these on the tree (23 years ago Hubs told me that he has no patience for lights and he'd never wrap them around like I do or push them way into the center of the tree).  They did not illuminate the tree.  I really tried to talk myself into trying to like them.  The boys said they liked them.  That helped.  But I pretty much grumbled to myself about why do I have to have the husband who has an opinion on decorative matters?  It helped a little knowing I wasn't alone--while in Florida for Thanksgiving, we sister-in-laws comiserated that we can't even buy dishes or linens without the Hubs' having to like them too.

Well, I couldn't finish decorating the tree because as you can imagine, with only 25 lights per strand the 6 strands didn't go far so off to Michael's I went again the next day and bought a few more.  But I still couldn't have a happy heart without some little white lights so I put some in the middle of the tree, and on the side that faced the window.  It worked.  The tree is now lit up properly for my taste and he is happy with the old school looking colored lights.
(I'm having camera issues with a blue tone on everything so I need to consult with the 4th grader on my camera to get a better picture....)

Actually last year I had evidence that I am a little particular with how the tree gets done.  We had brought my mother-in-law back from FL with us and as usual we bought the tree a couple days after Thanksgiving.  I of course had my 8 strands of little white lights that I had to put on thoroughly.  Then I have this order of other things to go on before the ornaments get added.  There's twisting ribbon that gets gets unraveled and wound all around starting at the top.......then gold bead strands....and some red beads.......then ornaments,.....and then I stick in these dried decorative sticks that have are twirly-swirly on the ends, and spray painted red or gold or blue.  I'm sure she thought I was nutso.  Come to think of it, she did head over to the artificial tree and enjoyed putting that together with Youngest.  Yes, I did get one when we moved here to keep on the screened porch.  If I hear anything next year about no white lights at all on the tree I may have to get another tree just for me......