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this in full force. You bundle up and head out with a thermos of cocoa and the determination of finding that perfect tree. It is almost as if you have become Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation in search of the perfect tree. When you arrive, you walk across acres of evergreen trees with your spouse and kids saying almost every minute "How about this one?" Then it happens, an agreement between the whole family that you have found your family Christmas tree. Now the real fun begins. You take your saw, usually provided by the farm and start sawing at the base of the tree. Nothing quite like the feel of lying in wet snow as your jeans soak it all up. Then the burning sensation in your shoulder from the constant sawing reminds you that you could have just went and picked one out at the lot. However, when you get it down and tie it down to the top of the vehicle you get a great sense of accomplishment for you and your family. You also start to understand that these are the things your kids will remember and will pass along to their families one day. Realizing in that same instant, that you will miss it too when they are grown and gone.

If you live in the South the task of getting the family Christmas tree can be much different, but it doesn't have to be any less traditional. You probably won't have to bundle up or make hot cocoa because it may not be that cold where you live. However, you can still make it an event. Start the day off by volunteering the family to work at a local soup kitchen for 2 or 3 hours. You will feel great helping out the less fortunate and the family will see and understand that even though we are still living in tough economic times, we are still truly blessed. You will also be surprised to see that they may want to make it a yearly ritual. After you are done and you get everyone into the car, load in the christmas music and make your way to the tree lot. Nothing is more traditional than singing christmas songs. When you get to the lot try to keep everyone together and go decide on the tree that everyone likes.

Whether you live in the North or the South save the decorating of the tree for it's own special night of christmas songs on the radio and everyone getting the opportunity to hang their own favorite ornaments. Make the evening even more special by saving each person's most favorite ornament as the last ornament they hang. When you reach the point of everyone in the family being down to their last favorite ornaments, have each person

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