Charlie Brown

One of my holiday pet-peeves is when people misuse the term "Charlie Brown Tree."

The tree in the movie was pathetic; a tiny branch nailed down to pretend to be a tree. But you'll hear people all the time: "What a perfect little Charlie Brown Tree! Awwww" and I just look at them, really confused. Once, and only once, a friend of ours referred to one of our trees as a Charlie Brown Tree. I freaked. I don't believe he has ever said that to anyone ever again. The only thing that prompted him to say it in the first place was that our tree was a Noble Fir, (the best kind, a "silvertip" as my dad calls them)

*Okay, maybe ours was a bit more sparse than this one, but you get the idea.*

instead of a Douglas Fir - what I like to refer to as a "bush tree."

Disgusting.

I guess my point is, if you're going to use the term "Charlie Brown Tree"- do it right. Refer to the intention of the tree, how it doesn't matter what the tree looks like, it's the spirit of the event. Did you know that when we were packing our backpacks for South America, Christmas ornaments were in mine? I made sure that I had a little bit of Christmas with me, so I could celebrate no matter where we were.

I still have it. Although it's pretty beat up, and musty and a bit mildewed. But I'll have it forever.