I want to be like a Christmas tree
This is an emotional, bittersweet time for me — taking down the Christmas tree. It has been a source of childlike joy since November in my home, and since September in many other homes and malls in the Philippines.
I was obsessed with twirling lights on each branch of my tree, inside out, then round and round. With assistance from my helper Sally, I hung old and new ornaments — some I’ve had for over a decade, others brand-new, like a miniature wreath from the White House collection given to me by US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, and a miniature toaster and kettle given to me by Ton and Karen Concepcion of SMEG. I learned from Ambassador Carlson that a Christmas tree can be a repository of memories collected from over the years, like her trees are. She has a baby in a manger hanging from one tree given to her when her eldest child, now in her twenties, was born.
Tomorrow, my tree will be in storage for another 10 months, then taken out again. It has a shelf life (though I know of at least one household where the Christmas tree is never taken down) but amazingly, always bounces back — upright again. It just “hibernates,” long enough for the people to miss it, then makes a glittery comeback. Without fail, till perhaps hell freezes over.
A thing of beauty is indeed a joy forever. A thing that gives out light attracts eyes and happy sighs. It’s a sight for sore eyes, an upper as well as a relaxant; something you must keep, but also let go of.
I wish we were all like Christmas trees. Even when taken down, they will surely be back on their feet again in the blink of an eye. It’s never passé or irrelevant. Never redundant. Always welcome. In the Philippines, it sees its resurrection in the late summer, and its dormancy in the winter. Seasonal but perennial. Enduring.
And the tales the Christmas tree witnesses! It hears more than just Christmas carols. If only it could talk, it could unravel stories about breakups and makeups, rambunctious family reunions, pensive dinners for two, solo nights. Having been around year after year in the same home, it could probably dish out the perfect advice. “We’ve been through this before. Just say sorry.” “In 2023, the cochinillo was a hit. Have it again in 2024.” “Propose na.”
And so on and so forth.
Dinners and gatherings, ‘round the Christmas tree are usually more unfiltered because of the bubbly — whether in a glass or in the atmosphere — so conversations by the tree are as good as they get.
How about your Christmas tree? What stories would it tell?
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When someone is overdressed or wearing too much jewelry, some kumares smirk, “She looks like a Christmas tree!”
But I would like to be a Christmas tree! Always shining, always radiant, whether or not its lights are aglow. More is more.
I want my presence to be highly anticipated like a Christmas tree, not dreaded. I want to be a welcome sight.
I want to know when it’s time to take a bow, a pause, a respite. Just like a Christmas tree is made to do.
I want to be associated with hope, not despair. Christmas trees come in the season when Christ was born.
I want to be spruced up, like a Christmas tree.
I want to be ever green, ever fresh, even when I age, like the evergreen leaves of the symbolic Christmas tree — plastic or real.
I want to be resilient like the Christmas tree. It’s always back in fighting form.
I don’t want to stay in a cocoon or storage for long. I want to be part of the action.
I want to light up other people’s lives, especially those with dark corners in them.
I want to collect memories.
I want to make others merry.
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According to History.com, long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during Christmas with pine, spruce, and fir trees, many ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.
Germany is said to be the origin of the Christmas tree tradition — as we now know it — in the 16th century.
By the 1890s, Christmas ornaments were arriving in the US from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the US.
Since the Philippines was converted to Christianity in the 16th century and then colonized by the Americans in the late 19th century, the Christmas tree tradition is very familiar to Filipinos. Historian Ambeth Ocampo believes the Christmas tree was actually brought to the Philippines in 1886 by Jose Rizal, citing two sources: a manuscript containing Hans Christian Andersen tales that Rizal translated into Tagalog to delight his nephews and nieces; and a letter Rizal wrote in Berlin in November 1886 to his eldest sister Neneng (Saturnina) and her husband Maneng (Manuel Hidalgo).
The Christmas tree has become omnipresent in Philippine homes, schools, boulevards and churches during the Christmas season, which officially ended the other Sunday, the Feast of the Three Kings.
Till September, oh, Christmas tree. See you!
You may e-mail me at [email protected]. Follow me on Instagram @joanneraeramirez.
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