Living in a foreign country during Christmas is a new thing for us this year. Of course we want to be near our friends and family, but since that cannot be, it was my goal to get some Christmas spirit in our tiny apartment. I knew that we would feel even futher away from home if we didn't have any Christmas decorations...which explains our Christmas tree:
Say hello to a real "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree"! Actually, I have to confess that it isn't a tree at all, but a branch that I found in a large pile of pruned branches and decided that it looked enough like a tree to me. The branch was chosen after I finally figured that paper scissors and a plastic knife wouldn't really do the job of cutting down an actual tree.
Danny say's it looks like it is always windy in our house since our tree is always leaning to the right, but I think differently. I feel like the tree is trying to say something to me. It's saying, " Hey guys... I am leaning over because I want to be your shelter from the Krazy Korea storm going on outside. I know you are missing home so I'm reaching out my branch to you so that we can be joined in the Christmas spirit! Yes, I know that you have to hold me up with string because of my shape, but don't be fooled, I am strong and am here to save Christmas!" Who knew a tree could say so much, AND who knew a Korean tree could speak English! Wow... amazing.
We had to find random things to be our Christmas decorations since Koreans don't really sell Christmas things until a week or two before Christmas. (Also, you might say we are cheap, so 1000 won ($1) decorations will do just fine.) Danny used a lovely jump rope to look like a candy cane string, cut out awesome snow flakes that look like tribal symbols, and bing, Bang, BOOM we've got ourselves a white Christmas!
I made some garland out of popcorn and paper, we got some lights, collected a few random ornaments, used my scarf as a tree skirt and topped it all off with a foil star. Presenting... Our KOREAN CHRISTMAS!!!! Ta DA!!!!
I have to say I'm rather proud of this even though it causes some teasing and laughing to go on at the tree's expense. It has served us well though and definitely done the job of creating some Christmas spirit. However, I do think that Danny will be secretly happy that I won't force him to listen to Christmas music non-stop on the 26th ; ) We miss you all and wish we could be with you. Merry Christmas to all of you and I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating the birth of our savior!
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." ~ Luke 2:8-11
I think your christmas tree was adorable and the decorations were creative :D Way to bring Christmas to Andong <3
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