A Ceramic Squirrel Piggy Bank? Why, Thank You…

Earlier this week, we got a package from our friends Nick and Emily in Texas – the first in our group to have a baby (hence why they were subsequently banished to Texas). That baby – Liam – is now three and a (almost) half years old. Old enough to bust out the construction paper and yarn, and fashion this badass reindeer for us to hang on our tree.

I thought that was pretty damn good for three and a half. I can’t say my arts and crafts skills were on par at that age, but nonetheless, my mom dutifully hung each of the ornaments we dragged home from school. This is to say nothing of her faux delight in receiving our Christmas gifts. And I do believe my brothers and I got her some pretty horrendous crap over the years.

That crystal jewelry box with MOM engraved on the cover? That white porcelain cat door-stopper? Yep. All courtesy of my meticulously saved allowance and a trip to JC Penny with my father. God help me, I think I may have even fallen victim to the Zales heart-shaped pendant, the biggest commercial crime to be perpetrated against the 30-45 mommy crowd. Though touching, I’m quite certain she had no desire to wear, or display, this cheap crap.

But the handmade Christmas ornament? A classic. What’s a tree without it? Some Crate & Barrel cover page, something without meaning. So is a Christmas tree without kids destined to be some cookie cutter, soul-less thing? I love my cats, but this is one role they just can’t fill. I mean, take a look at their only contribution to the tree this year:

Taken down after less than 36 hours. Thanks Jacques, Olivia – whichever of you menaces did it.

I guess I won’t worry over it too much this year. I’ll just hang Liam’s ornament on the tree and consider us lucky to have such great friends. But someday soon, I’ll have to answer the question… what’s Christmas without kids?

PS, the ceramic squirrel below is courtesy of Drew’s oldest brother Eric, circa 1982. It’s prominently displayed on our guest bedroom nightstand.