An Ode to My “Boring” Christmas Tree

Last night, my daughter came home after showing her friends a photo of our Christmas tree. Their verdict? “It’s boring.”

At first, my protective instincts kicked in. But before I could say a word, my daughter stepped in with her own explanation. She told them about how, when she and her sister were little, we couldn’t afford a fancy Christmas tree. Instead, we had a cardboard one. And you know what? That was her favourite tree of all.

It was unique – a tree no one else had. It was creative, fun, and overflowing with love. That cardboard tree was a symbol of the life we were building, even in tough times.

You see, my husband and I didn’t start at zero – we started below it. Over the past 26 years, we’ve worked tirelessly to give our daughters the best life possible. That journey often required hard choices. We let go of “nice” things, like a fancy Christmas tree, to focus on what mattered most: ensuring Christ remained at the centre of our home and creating memories that would last longer than any material object.

Fast forward, a few years ago, we decided we could finally afford a proper Christmas tree. We made a choice to gradually build up our decorations each year. But our tree is more than just a collection of baubles and lights. It’s a powerful symbol of everything we’ve been through.

It reminds us that resilience pays off, that we can face life’s challenges together as a family and come out stronger. Each year, as we decorate it, we’re reminded of the moments, memories, and milestones of the year past.

So, while others might look at our tree and think it’s “boring,” to us, it’s one of the most extraordinary trees. It’s full of history, life, hope, and love. It’s a testament to overcoming challenges, building a life brick by brick, and appreciating the journey as much as the destination.

This is an ode to all the “boring” Christmas trees out there and the incredible journeys they represent. Because behind every “boring” tree is a story – of resilience, love, and memories – that is anything but ordinary.