The Christmas Tree Debacle

I stewed for weeks over where I was going to put the Christmas tree this year.  With a new house and more specifically a new {long shag} rug in our living room, I was worried about all the needles dropping...and me not being able to get them all up with the vacuum.  It finally dawned on us (seriously can't believe how long it took us to think of this as an option) that this should be the year we take the plunge and buy an artificial tree--something we had debated about for the past few years.

Well, because of how long we waited (and because I am super weirdly picky about a tree), finding the perfect tree was quite the ordeal--even worse than the ordeal that is picking out a real tree in the Home Depot parking lot.  Weeks of online searching, endless talk about realistic versus tradtional branches, trips to multiple stores, watching for sales etc.

I finally decided on a Costco tree...only to find they were sold out online and in stores.  I kept checking their website and finally they were back in stock so I ordered it and anxiously awaited the arrival of my tree.  The day before it was to arrive, I got an email saying my order was cancelled because they were out of stock.  I can't even tell you how angry I was--definitely more upset than I am willing to admit.  

After the Costco order was cancelled, it was getting too close to Christmas and I was frustrated.  I went to store after store looking at UGLY trees.  I seriously just about broke down in Hobby Lobby crying because I hated all the trees.  I gave up.

We decided we would pick out a real tree, put it where there was no carpet (in between the kitchen and living room) and look for a artificial tree earlier next year.  While I was shopping for something to wear to Mike's work Christmas party at JCPenney, I saw a tree I actually thought was beautiful, but of course they were all sold out.  When I got home, I went online and sure enough, they had some in stock and it was on an amazing sale!!

The tree finally arrived and I got it all set up on December 13th...just in time for my little book club party:)  And the greatest thing is...I LOVE it {AND I can put it up extra early next year to make up for how late it went up this year}