When i was a teen, my best friend Becky, and i used to decorate my family's Christmas tree. My parents usually bought a live tree and new (inexpensive) glass ornaments and those big lights each year. When we were fifteen, Becky taught me how to string popcorn and fresh cranberries to hang on the tree. Now we're not talking microwave popcorn, but the old fashioned kind where you pour oil in a heavy skillet; throw in a handful of popping corn and shake! We had to make several skillets because we ate half the popcorn. I remember thinking it was the most beautiful tree i ever saw with the white popcorn and red cranberries. Anyone else ever string popcorn? Anyone do it this year??? BTW, i'm posting on the road -- "long distance" right now, so i'll be checking comments once a day, so bear with me. :)
27 comments:
Janean...I JUST did a post where I talk about how every year we put up a real tree, with popcorn and cranberries, and I use the big bulbs, just like in your picture. We got a new kitten this year, so I didn't do a tree. :-( I miss it, but I love my kitty.
Janean,
Never strung popcorn or cranberries, always wanted to. Dad loved tinsel, he would take hours to hang it one strand at a time. So the popcorn never seemed to fit. I think popcorn and cranberries with pinecones and such would make a lovely natural tree. If I had room I would have 2 trees and do one like that next year. Have a safe trip and a blesses Christmas.
Hugs,
Lynn
It wasn't so many years back that I used to have the boys string popcorn and cranberries for the Christmas tree. We had so much fun with that. After Christmas the strands were taken outside for the birds to enjoy. That was always exciting since putting away the decorations was always a little sad.
Thanks for reminding me of a very special time in our family.
Karen
Ladybug Creek
I have never tried the popcorn idea, it's not really a tradition here in Oz, but I think it should be, it looks so sweet I think we will try it! It's not too late...
:)
Eons ago after I left home and the decorating was up to me I did the popcorn one year.. ended up having bugs come in to snack on it. So the next year I made all my ornaments and soon afterwards started my own collection of items.
Now with 4 large trees and 4 smaller trees.. I think the collection has finaly finshed.
Enjoy your trip my dear!
~Olivia
I tried stringing popcorn ONCE.
What a long, arduous, hateful job to try to make something joyful and beautiful!!!!
I don't think I'll be doing THAT again - - -
But your STORY, now that was a different thing. It was all that a Christmas story should be - - - - and I was JOYFUL reading it, because I didn't have to be the one struggling with the popcorn chain!!!
Merry Christmas
LOL. awww, Keetha wished you had a better experience. it does take time and a little patience. perhaps its best done in the company of a great friend and eggnog? i just adore the way it looks and Karen's suggestion of feeding the birds sounds great! (hugs for your effort)
I haven't strung popcorn and cranberries in many years but I do love the look. I saw a friends tree that she had on her back screened in porch and they used those big colorful bulbs with the popcorn strung and boy did that take me back. Just love that look!
I love those big lights. :) They're making a comeback, I think. Thanks for the visit to my blog. :)
I can remember when big lights was the only choice we had.
Yes we strung popcorn, haven't done that in awhile.
No tree this year, wild new puppy.
Love the big lights!!
Merry Christmas and GOD BLESS,
andrea
We didn't string popcorn and cranberries this year but I spoke with my sister last night and she and her family were. When my sister and I were growing up and still at home we would invite all our friends for some pizza and winter fun then we would string enough popcorn and cranberries to decorate our 12' tree. Fun times!
I also remember the year here at our home when my kids and I strung enough for the small tree we had in the dining room....after we were done, for several days I kept wondering why there were cranberries rolling on the floor with popcorn pieces all over at the base of the tree....till the day I saw a little mouse climbing the tree...he was eating all the berries and popcorn and chewing through the tread...kind of cute actually! ;-)
Merry Christmas!
I have strung popcorn and cranberries before and they do make for a lovely tree. But with our 3 indoor furry kids I don't think popcorn would be such a good idea on the tree. They'd want to eat it. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
I so remember those big heavy lights...it's a wonder the tree branches could hold them up (I think they make lighter versions now for nostalgia sake)!
One year with my kids, we attempted to string popcorn. We tired of it soon because it took FOREVER just to make a foot or so!!!
Your memories with Becky sound wonderful. She sounds like she was a really sweet friend. :-)
Thanks for the email, Janean. Have a safe trip and Merry Christmas!!
xoxo
Janie
May you have the most Blessed Christmas as we say Happy Birthday Jesus!
The cranberry/popcorn garland is great. I've done the popcorn before, but not cranberries. Like the look and wish I had bought the plastic look alike popcorn garland years ago...grins. Sometimes I just have to have convenience! hahaha
God's richest Blessings to you,
d from homehaven
I just love those big lights...
yes we have strung popcorn and peanuts for the birds outside....
spoiled brats
it's never enough!
Love your post..makes me feel happy
I wish I had had a BF like Becky
Many Blessings at Christmas, from my mountain top to your home….Hugs and Smiles Gl♥ria
We used to do this with our children when they were small...keeping the tradition going I suppose...but we haven't done it in years. I love the look still...and love eating "real" popcorn.
We never did string popcorn, but we definately had the big lights. The kind if one went out they all went out! We always had a live tree and it never went up earlier than a week before Christmas. Love those childhood memories!
Merry Christmas!
Oh, yes! I taught second grade for 15 of my 30 years in the classroom. We always strung popcorn and cranberries for our pioneer tree in our classroom. It was such fun. We also hung decorated sugar cookies as ornaments. The children loved creating this tree each year, just like children did in the days of the early pioneers.
Your tree is so pretty with it's red and white garland. Thanks for sharing this memory! ~ Sarah
Cute post! Thanks for sharing ~ Angela
I use to love the big lights and tinsel. I use to put popcorn strings on my tree years ago.
Merry Christmas.
We did it a time or two when I was a kid. Your picture reminded me of how simple and pretty it is.
Merry Chrristmas to you and your family!
Janean,
Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a sweet comment. Unfortunately, my father died a few years ago but I am blessed to have had him in my life.
I enjoyed looking through your wonderful blog this evening. Is that your home's front door entrance? It's beautiful. In fact, all your photographs are amazing. I did string 'real popped corn' one Christmas when I was in elementary school at a friends house. It felt special -- traditional. Adding cranberries is a great idea and would work well with my standard very Victorian tree.
I wish you and your family a merry Christmas.
Deborah
I love an old fashioned Christmas. There's something so wonderful about traditions that have spanned generations.
Lovely blog. Happy holidays to you and your family!
Sounds like pro's and con's to stringing popcorn!
I guess we have more choices now days!
Thanks for the memories...
Yes, I did string popcorn on our family tree. My kids help a LITTLE bit -- they hated it but guess what my daughter does it now. But for this year I am not string that white beautiful stuff -- I mean it -- I love the old fashion look. We We have this 6 foot Christmas tree that was just for our children and the first Saturday of Dec we all would make a home made ornaments. As the year have gone by that 6 foot tree has been through a lot of wonderful, poor and many different address. We still put it up and I alone string that popcorn but this year is different. I am here with my Dad he has cancer and this could be his last. So Christmas time is still a wonderful no mater where my address will be as long as I am with love ones and remember why we have Christmas in the first place.
Have a Merry Christmas and be safe -- watch out for that black ice! Kristeen
Post a Comment