Creative Christmas Traditions: My Very Own Christmas Tree

As an Associated Content producer, I would like to share a childhood creative Christmas tradition with the rest of the AC community and our readers. This is something I've told many people about as an idea to start with their own family, and indeed something I will do once I have a child (or two) of my own. Here goes.

I inherited a very special trait from my mother (which she inherited from her mother): the ability to sleep through anything and sleep in late. Yes, sleep is very precious in my family of night owls.

My mother would spend every last minute getting things wrapped - until the break of dawn on Christmas morning. She wouldn't get a wink of sleep because just as she put the last gift under the tree and put her head on her pillow, I'd be in my best Christmas PJs waking her up. Little did I know, she never even actually fell asleep. And boy - was it a struggle to try and get her up if she did fall asleep!

So, our family's creative Christmas tradition was born. My mom combated her lack of sleep problem by creating a clever and very fun idea for me. My very own Christmas tree in my bedroom!

My mom purchased a foot or two tall artificial Christmas tree and placed it on my nightstand. She strung the lights, but I was able to decorate the tree how I wanted. This was a place I could put cute, kid-type ornaments. This also was a great way for me to do some decorating on my own. I always wanted to help, but being a little tyke I sometimes just got in the way. This little tree also put a touch of Christmas in my bedroom and even served as a little nighlight for a few weeks leading up to Christmas day.