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I plop two olive buckets filled with birch logs and winter greens on either side of the checked Christmas trees and move on, grabbing two vases to put red berries in. The berries will match my recently purchased big red ‘Tis The Season to Be Jollysign sitting proudly in the middle of my mantle. My single plaid stocking hangs from the fireplace with glee. Only one for now, but hopefully by the end of this year, there will be two. I remain optimistic.
I make my way back out to the garage for another set of boxes. I reach up and pull down two more from the shelf. The door is still open so I slip through, make my way to the living room, and drop my goodies onto the couch. I pull open each box so I can observe what’s inside even though they’re labeled. MyJoyandPeacepillows sit on the very top of the first box, and I pull both out, placing them on opposite corners of the couch. I adorn the middle of my couch with a white and red check pillow, a bright contrast to my dark navy-colored couches.
My phone rings, vibrating across the side table, and I reach over to pause my music before I grab it. “Hey, Daddy.”
“Hey, baby girl. I wanted to call and check in. Haven’t heard from you in a couple of days.”
“Sorry. I’ve been busy with work and I met someone.” I feel the smile as it crosses my face.
“Oh, you met someone. When will we get to meet this mystery man?”
“I’m keeping him all to myself until I know if he’s the one or not. I can’t give Mom a reason to tell me that it’s not going to happen for me.”
He sighs through the phone, and I know he understands. We love Mom, but her optimism only goes so far. She’s convinced I’m going to be old and gray with cats because I don’t want to settle. What’s so wrong with looking for someone who checks off all my boxes?
“Okay, Willow. Well, I just wanted to check in with you. Will you be over for Christmas? Maybe bring that new man of yours?”
“You’re hopeless. We’ll see.”
“Hey, Christmas is still a couple weeks away. The possibilities are endless.”
“We’ll talk soon, Dad. I need to get back to decorating.”
“Oh, don’t let me stop you. Where are you at so far?”
“Well, I just did the mantle. Going with a new color theme this year, buffalo check, white, and red. Still need to buy a tree.”
“It sounds beautiful, darling. Better get to the tree lot today or else you’ll miss out on the very best trees.”
“Dad, you know it’s not about how pretty the tree is. It’s the meaning behind it. The joy it gives me every time I look at it.”
“Whatever you say, Willow. I’ll let you go. Don’t forget to call us every once in a while.”
I frown because I probably don’t call them as much as I should. “I won’t, Dad. Love you.”
“Love you too, sweet girl.”
I click the end call button, grab the remote, and hit play so my music comes back to life. It pumps through my stereo system and I get back to decorating.
He’s right about the Christmas tree. I really need to get to the lot today or tomorrow.
I move on to the nooks in my media console, filling each shelf with fun little Christmas trinkets I’ve collected over the years—red Ford trucks, the beds loaded with fir trees for Christmas, another buffalo check mini tree, and a couple of mini signs with Christmas quotes.
A small wooden box with aChristmas Treeslabel written across the front sits with frosted flocked tree leaves and acorns sticking out from the inside.
I move on to the tray I’ll sit on my coffee table during the holiday season. A mini Christmas tree with the elements from the mantle, a holly berry candle, a buffalo check ornament, acorns, and red berries in the bottom, along with some red beads. The goal of my tray is to use different shapes and heights to make it look cohesive, and Christmasy, to flow along with the rest of my room.
I set up two steel, white Christmas trees to each side of the media console, next to the white lights I’ve taken the liberty of also decorating with lit garland. My living room is starting to come together, minus the big hole in the front right corner destined to house my tree for this season.
Next is my own personal mini hot cocoa bar in the kitchen. Hot cocoa is a must when it comes to the holidays. Peppermint mochas, white hot chocolate, dark chocolate drizzle, sprinkles, fancy candy striped colored straws, and cute Christmas mugs.
Remembering that I haven’t sent my address to Oliver yet, I pick up my phone and shoot off a quick text.
Oliver: Got it. I’ll be there. How’s your day going?
Four little words to show he cares. I kind of swoon, not that I should. It’s just a simple question, but he wants to genuinely know and that makes me grin.
Me: Good, still need to head to the Christmas tree lot. It’s not Christmas without the perfect tree. Did you get your tree yet?
