Paper Chains, Popcorn Strings and Tinsel

The tree is in place and the lights are strung. With careful tenderness and perfect placement ornaments are spread over the branches, and memories are shared as each one is place. Then, for those in olden times, it's the greatest time of decorating the tree: adding paper chains, popcorn strings and tinsel.

In the festiveness of the season, children are given construction paper of various colors, usually green and red – the Christmas colors, and strips are carefully cut to size with the ends glued together as they are wrapped one by one through the adjoining piece of paper. The chain is beautiful, and now it must be placed on the tree. Sometimes long chains are made, and other times very short ones fill the tree, but these chains call out for the next memory maker – the popcorn string.

Although it is not a usual task, children watch as their mother pops the popcorn on the stove, (no microwaves then) and then are handed a needle with a long thread. After careful instruction is given, the children push the needle through piece after piece of popcorn until a string of popcorn becomes a decoration for the tree. After a few broken pieces along the way, and maybe a few to eat, the popcorn string is ready, and the children laugh as they place it on the grand display. Of course warnings are given about not eating the popcorn a few days from then because it will be stale, but nonetheless the Christmas tree is now almost complete. It only needs tinsel.

The children watch as the tinsel is taken out of the boxes and given to them with instruction. “Now string the tinsel on a strand at a time. Be careful not to just throw it on the tree in globs or the tree will not look as good” their mother instructs as the children surround the tree. Piece by piece the tinsel drapes over branches and limbs, and the sparkle from the lights is reflected by the silver strands. The children back away, and the tree is complete.

Some might ask, “What about the star or bear or angel that goes on top of the tree?” Oh yes, that is part of the festivities as well, and should be included, but the most important and most memorable decoration of all is the memory of having dressed the tree with those beloved people that shared this time together. Make decoration memories.

Until tomorrow...Why Say More?

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