Nickel City Parents: Wallpaper and Christmas Tree

We need a new Christmas tree stand. I went out and got our Christmas tree yesterday. This year, I judged the sized well, and it fits perfectly in our basement. Had I decided to put the tree upstairs, we could have had a huge tree, but the basement has more space. However, the basement has lower ceilings. My husband and I managed to get the tree downstairs without much difficulty. Then, it was time to put it in the stand, and tempers started flaring.

I suppose it is time for a new stand. Our current one is at least three years old, maybe four. I thought I had made a good choice when I bought it, but now I realize, it is not a very good stand. Metal screws going through a plastic holder. It was only a matter of time before the holes were stripped.

I am beginning to wonder if all Christmas tree stands are inherently flawed. We often had issues when I lived with my parents. So much so, that one year, the whole tree fell, fully decorated. It smashed some ornaments a friend of mine bought for my birthday, almost foreshadowing the end of our friendship a few months later. (Seriously, but that is an old story, for another time).

The screws to hold the tree in place have stripped the plastic on at least one side. Our tree is kind of wedged into a corner, leaning against a wall, so it will not fall over. I had made sure the base of the stand was wide enough to discourage tipping, but if the tree is not straight in the stand, there is always the risk it will fall. I was frustrated, trying to hold the tree steady while my husband twisted the screw, and it did not budge. He was frustrated because I told him the tree was crooked. We were both stomping around, and getting frustrated with the kids who were running around us while we attempted to get the tree steady.

Putting up a Christmas tree with a wonky stand, and putting up wallpaper. These are two surefire ways to start an argument. I refuse to hang wallpaper because I know I will turn into a raging banshee. Unfortunately, we don't have much choice when it come to putting up a Christmas tree. I suppose I could refuse to do that as well, but my kids would be disappointed, and I would be accused of being the Grinch.

It does not help that I am dealing with a sore neck and back. Not the best things when you are lifting, and holding a heavy tree. The pain in my neck is draining me physically, and it was late afternoon by the time we started the tree set up. I should have been napping, or taking a relaxing bath, away from other people.

In the end, the tree looks pretty good. Most of the decorations are on the bottom, since the kids do not have a very high reach. Only one glass ornament was broken, and this was because I dared to think how we had not broken a glass ornament yet. You cannot even think things when it comes to kids, or you will jinx yourself! I managed to even out the decorations, a little. We still have lots more we could out on the tree. Maybe next year we can clear some space upstairs, and get a taller tree.