Our Unique Holiday Tradition

Every family has special ways that they celebrate the holidays. Whether it is when the presents are opened, trees put up or taken down, or what food is served. Doing the same thing every year seems to provide a sense of security. If a family has always done something, the kids may not realize that everyone else doesn't do it too. I remember my surprise at a line in a movie about always crying when the Christmas tree was taken down. We always took our tree down before New Years Eve. While the tree had been a welcome change from the every day look of the house and a kind of hub for the family over the season, it needed to be ready for its major role on New Years Eve.

Usually we put the tree up and take it down as a family. How a Christmas tree is taken down can make things easier for putting the tree up next year. Repairing and wrapping ornaments, or putting them into boxes can lead to less hassle in the future. Wrapping strings of ornaments and lights around something, keeps them from tangling into a knot. We often watch one of our favorite holiday movies while we do this job.

For us, it is important to have everything off the tree before New Year's Eve so that it is ready for its role in the midnight festivities. After the tree is naked, balloons are blown up and placed in the branches of the tree. That can be tricky since they occasionally pop on tree needles, or waft down to the floor. Sometimes festive hats are placed in the branches too. Rolls of serpentine are bought at a party store and separated into their individual coils in a basket. If you are unfamiliar with it, serpentine is a coil of colorful paper about ¼ inch wide. It is sold in packages of four rolls that break apart into approximately 28 individual coils each.

At midnight the balloons are popped with long pins and the serpentine is thrown. This is accomplished by holding a small piece of it at the center of the coil and throwing it over the tree. It makes a lovely spiral of color hanging on the tree. We have done this with groups of people, or with just the three of us. We have used traditional noise makers as well.

After the noise and fuss have died down, the New Years tree has a beauty that is different from the sparkle of the Christmas tree with its ornaments and lights.

Before we go to bed, we gather up the pieces of balloon so that the cats don't get into trouble On New Years Day the serpentine is easily gathered up. Putting the tree away or taking it out of the house becomes an easy task to accomplish, usually before the parades start.

For me this is a family tradition that goes back in my memory to the time I was first old enough to stay awake for midnight. I have done this every year, with very few exceptions. It ties my son to my parents in a special way. I don't own this tradition. Feel free to adopt it for your own. Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.