Lots of Christmas trees are decorated beautifully, done up in a theme, color-coordinated and practically perfect. I don't want a tree like that. Ours is covered in handmade ornaments the kids have brought home through the years (and a possibly a few from our own childhood). we have ornaments that commemorated something that happened that year. Or contain photos from events--like the one I made this year that has a picture of us driving a covered wagon from our trip over the summer. 
Is our tree perfect? Definitely not. The kids put all the ornaments on and there are definite spaces where more ornaments cluster together than others. The tree itself is twenty-one years old and losing needles like crazy--plus a few branches. And I don't think I got the lights hung evenly.
But you know? It's okay. Because it has nostalgia.

I can't remember when I quit believing in Santa (honestly, I don't think I have completely). It took me a while, though, because the magic of it all was so strong.
Needless to say, it was exciting when I had kids and could start the tradition with them, picking out fun items to fill stockings, making sure they got a picture with the man in red each year. But this year, they're eleven and nine, and while they still assure me they believe, some of the magic is starting fade.