The Christmas Box

Way long ago, in 1981, when I was living in a lovely apartment in Wyckoff NJ, we (first wife and I) needed a box for the Holiday decorations.  Downstairs in the basement we found a big, solid box and I started a tradition - wrote the date of Tree Up on the top flap.  Years followed and during the divorce the box went into storage for a spell, but then it came back out and ever since 1988 has been not only the ornament box but the family history box.  Each time the tree is bought - it is noted down, price and location.  Each time the tree comes inside for decoration it is noted down.  And each time the tree is taken apart for return to nature, it is also noted down.  This box is as much of our family history as anything else.  Showing some age, like everything else too. I also refuse to get or use those tree disposal bags.  WHY????  You take the tree down and (a) either cut it up for firewood so it can return heat to the house or (b) return it to nature where every other tree since the beginning of TIME HAS GONE.  TREE BAGS hurt the environment more and I have never seen ONE SINGLE TREE in a forest laying flat on the ground in a bag that God gave the tree for the purpose.  Stupid. I also return Pumpkins to nature the same way too.