The 12 days of Christmas is a collection of stories and traditions and fun things that we do in Casa da Mac in the lead up to Christmas.
ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS –
THE MAC’S MANAGED TO PUT UP THEIR TREE….
When we lived in Scotland putting up the tree was a big deal. On the first of December we had to sneak out of the village where we lived to the forestry commissions pine tree plots and find the perfect tree – in the dark, accompanied with lots of swearing and stumbling.
Then we would have to strap the tree on the roof of the car (no roof racks required) and smuggle it back into the village (with everyone pretending not to notice the live tree you have just come back with as we pretended not to see their trees earlier!) and then trying to shove that perfect tree through the narrow opening of our cottage.
Trimming the tree was a bit of a swear fest too – those needles hurt damn it, but when you step back there was your glorious tree with the crackling fire and scent of fresh pine in the home and if I was feeling inspired some mulled wine simmering on the stove.
In Australia, digging out the tree is a bit of a swear fest too – we dig it out from underneath a years worth of junk piled on top, Mac with be sweating as he brushes off the empty wasps nests and checks the branches for red back spider nests. There is no fire crackling or mulled wine simmering – it is too damn hot.
Wee Beastie dancing with her bauble earrings!
So while Mac is pulling out the tree (swearing still!) the terrible trio and I put on on our Christmas playlist and start the furniture shuffle. (you know that shuffle I bet!)
Inside the terrible trio are dancing with excitement because I have been promising for days now that we will put the tree up – and yes December 1st has long since passed, but today is the day.
Every year, we say we are going to cull down the ornaments – do the plastic $1 pack still need to go on the tree? Apparently Yes, because every year there is hardly an ornament left in the box. And this year is no exception!
So – lights first, then ornaments (no tinsel after the wee beastie debacle of 2013) ornaments next and finally in pride of place is our very special Christmas Fairy who has been on top of our tree from almost twelve years now. 
And while our tree isn’t going to grace any magazine covers (a la Joanna Gaines’ beautiful tree!) we love our perfectly imperfect tree – with the home made ornaments, our gothic fairy on the top, the crazily flashing, hurt my eyes lights, and the decorations so precious only Mama or Dad can put them on the tree, lest they fall off….
I feel a sense of accomplishment seeing our tree up – but every time I turn around I see the Christmas lights to decorate the outside of our house still on the bench in the entrance way! Who knows if they will actually make it on our house this year or not!! (And if they do make it up if they will ever come back down??)
I would love to hear about your tree trimming traditions – do you put on music or a movie, have hot chocolate or chocolate milkshakes!! (let me know in the comment section below!)
TOMORROW for the 12 days of Christmas I have a sweet treat for you!! One of our favourites and since I have children one of my favourite to make (because they LOVE getting their hands dirty!!)
P.S The 12 days of Christmas is a collection of stories and traditions and fun things that we do in Casa da Mac in the lead up to Christmas. Pop back tomorrow for another post!!
