Mini Christmas Tree Lights a Holiday Tradition

By Barbara Redding

When Jaris, my daughter-in-law, asked my youngest son if there were any family traditions, he would like to share with their 17-month-old son, the answer brought back a flood of holiday memories.

Evan said he wanted son Barrett (we call him “Bear”) to have a small lighted Christmas tree in his bedroom in Dallas—just like the one he had growing up. Like most youngsters who still believed in Santa Claus, Evan and older brother Jason loved the twinkling lights and colorful ornaments on the Christmas tree in our new home in Austin, Texas. But that tree was downstairs, awaiting Santa. They wanted trees in their bedrooms upstairs.

Tiny Lights and Ornaments

And why not? I bought two inexpensive miniature trees, white lights, and tiny ornaments. After I kissed them good night, I turned on the lights and their rooms glowed warmly.

Unlike many of our friends and neighbors, we had no close relatives in Austin with whom to spend the holidays. Yes, we baked Christmas cookies, roasted a plump turkey, and rarely missed Christmas Eve church services. Sometimes we drove to Houston to open presents with their closest cousins.

But those little Christmas trees lit up their bedrooms well into the temperamental teenage years.

This new grandmother was overjoyed to learn that our special holiday tradition will be passed along to the next generation in 2021.

Holiday Cornbread Recipe

Cornbread can also be added to your favorite cornbread stufng recipe. This recipe makes one ten-by-seveninch loaf. Adapted from recipe by Ina Garten.

Ingredients

½ cup (one stick) unsalted butter ½ cup buttermilk 1 large egg 1 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup yellow cornmeal 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1.Heat oven to 325 degrees. 2.Melt butter. Combine with buttermilk, milk, and egg. 3.Mix dry ingredients and add to buttermilk mixture. Stir until just blended. 4.Pour into buttered dish. 5.Bake for 35-45 minutes, until golden and firm.

Photos, from top left: Tree is in sight but out of reach in Barrett's bedroom @EvanLowery; Colorful ornaments on a traditional Christmas tree @CaroleMick; Author and grandson Barrett in Austin @JarisLowery; Ready for a holiday party @CaroleMick; Decked out for holidays @CaroleMick