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Photo: SHAJU JOHN

It’s Fun To work as a family

Come December, and 12-year-old Jessy’s evenings are packed with activity till Christmas.

Already, she and her brothers are busy wrapping gifts, making ornaments to be put up on the tree, and helping mom bake cakes and cookies every other day.

As Jessy’s family is religiously making plans for decorating the house, especially the Christmas tree, her garrulous septuagenarian grandfather is busy reminiscing about the past — of the legendary Christmas tree decorations in the family, starting from the one put up in his great grandfather’s time.

The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree goes back to 16th century Germany. This has since become one of the most popular traditions associated with Christmas.

An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem. Completing the picture is a small crib, a part of the nativity scene.

The Christmas tree (natural or artificial) is usually decked up with baubles, small bells painted gold or silver, candy sticks wrapped in red and white, stars of different shapes and sizes, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel and balloons.

These ornaments are made from glass, metal, wood and ceramic.

“Christmas ornaments are usually handed down the years. And, a family’s collection often contains both stuff bought off store shelves and those made by family members,” says Hannah Alex, who begins decorating her home from the first week of December.

“My favourite ornaments are those made of glass,” says Hannah.

Glass ornaments are said to have been invented by a German glassblower who could not afford to decorate his tree with the usual ornaments of nuts, apples and candy.

So, he blew glass into those shapes, and painted them with mercury or lead to lend them a silvery look.

Some ornaments convey a special message. Such as the pair of Turtle Doves, a symbol of friendship, rendered famous by the Home Alone series of films.

So do the ornaments that people make. “I prefer hanging decorations that I have made,” says Jesintha Vincent, who learnt to make ornaments from her aunt.

“Some of them come out perfect, while others don’t. But, that doesn’t matter. A decorated tree should remind you of the special moments in your life.”

Making ornaments is also a great exercise in helping the family bond better. “Making ornaments for the tree was the only time when my brothers and I got to dip plastic balls in glue and roll them on glitter,” says Johnny Rajkumar, a postgraduate student.

“I remember the time I turned my brother’s cricket ball into a Christmas ornament. It was fun watching him search for it, when it was hanging on the tree right before his eyes,” he smiles.

The ornaments also light up the lives of young kids. Recalls Samuel Oswald, who grew up in an orphanage: “As kids, we cherished the decorative balls, toys or balloons we received along with hand-written notes.” As for Jessy, all her ornaments have found their place on the tree except one — a small turtledove whose wings were broken.

She scanned the tree, and found a small gap to place him.

As if on cue, the lights on the tree came on and a big smile played across her face.

ANDREA SAMUEL

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