If you had seen me Saturday afternoon, you would have either laughed out loud or perhaps gotten a little Christmas spirit. Throughout the day, I was spreading plenty of spirit, at least if you discount the explicit words I occasionally let slip. In fact, my boys and I donned elf hats and even sang a few merry tunes while we were outside hanging lights.

Saturday morning’s activities had been on the family calendar for a few weeks. It was the day the Lindseys were to get their first real Christmas tree and catch up to everyone else in the ritual of festive decorations. For the last 10 years, Melanie and I have had a couple different artificial trees. None, though, ever seemed to be just right for us. They were too small, too thin or just too ugly. I hoped that a real tree in our living room would magically cure those problems.

So after our Saturday morning pancakes, Chance, Landon, Addy Grace and I were off to find that special tree. I’d imagined a scene out of the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, where Clark Griswald dragged his family into the forest to find that one majestic, perfect tree. What he found was a tree that was as big as his house and eventually went up in flames. The latter wasn’t part of my plan, and let’s hope it doesn’t become a reality.

We perused a couple different places, shopping the prices, and eventually found what we believe is the perfect tree for us. It’s a tad too tall, but nothing I can’t fix. The pine needles have already found their way across the floor, just like Melanie threatened to divorce me over, but the fresh smell of pine has found its place in our home, and I suspect that, between the pleasure the tree brings and the love my wife has for me, I’ll be forgiven at least by New Year’s.

And so the tradition has begun – real trees for the Lindseys. The first Saturday in December will always be the day we go to get our tree, unless Melanie threatens to divorce me again.

Family traditions ought to be a big deal. In fact, this year I’ve been working to create some genuine traditions for our family, beginning on Thanksgiving. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. Parents should make this a special time for their children and give them memories that they can pass on to their children.

Some might not think that getting a real tree or dancing around outside with a hat made for an elf is a big deal. My hope, though, is that my children will think it is and consider doing the same with their children.

I just hope they are better at this sort of stuff than their old “Pops.” It took me nearly 30 minutes just to get the tree inside, and let’s not even talk about how long it took me to get the outside of the house decorated.

Whether they remember the tree, or remember me trying to make an impression on them, it doesn’t matter to me. What’s important is that they have Christmas memories that they can pass along, plus a real, pretty tree!