Christmas 2015, As Told By Kyle The Christmas Tree

For months and months, I lived in a tree farm in North Jersey with all of the other Douglass Firs and Norway Spruces. The Friday after Thanksgiving, a blonde-haired, bearded man and a brunette with cheap blue aviators came and adopted me. Their names are Lisa and Ryan and I have no idea why they didn't just sleep in and enjoy the day after Thanksgiving off.

On the car ride home, the girl named me Kyle.

When we got back to their apartment, which is conveniently located next to Quick Chek and a liquor store, they arranged me in their barely-800 sq. foot apartment. Ryan had to give me a haircut so I could fit. They dressed me with white lights, silver garland, and their childhood ornaments as we listened to the Jazz Christmas station on Spotify. Quickly, they started placing beautifully wrapped gifts under me as their anticipation for Christmas grew stronger. ​

The month of December passed quickly as Lisa baked about 400 different varieties of cookies (only 5 of which were actually edible). On Christmas Eve, they shared a glass of wine and Lisa gave Ryan a handmade "Our First Christmas" ornament, which he immediately hung on my branch. Lisa wrote a letter to Santa (I'm not sure when she'll get too old for that habit) and they went to bed after falling asleep watching Elf. 

When morning came, I sat quietly as they wished each other a Merry Christmas and began opening presents. They both got each other selfie sticks (for some reason) and worked way too hard to take a selfie with me in the background. I can't blame them though - I am quite handsome. It was a joy to watch them create their own traditions and to smell the french toast Lisa worked on in the kitchen before doing some last minute wrapping for family gifts. ​

They went to visit their families during the day, but returned to me at night as we all relaxed in the living room with the balsam pine Bath and Body Works candle. All was calm. All was bright. 

After dreaming of the magic of Christmas during my days at the tree farm, I was lucky to have such a wonderful experience at their little apartment. Here's hoping that next year one of my brothers or sisters can enjoy an even better celebration with Lisa and Ryan. ​​