My Christmas IKEA tradition

Thirty years ago a very young and broke-ish couple started a Christmas tradition. Back then, IKEA had a program where you could “rent” a Christmas tree. How it worked was first you would buy the tree for $20 (I think) and then after Christmas you would bring the tree back and get $10 back and they would turn the tree into mulch. Our first Christmas together, we drove down to Ikea (it was 45 minutes away) and first went into the Ikea restaurant and had their signature Swedish meatballs platter. Thirty years ago a very young and broke-ish couple started a Christmas tradition. Back then, IKEA had a program where you could “rent” a Christmas tree. How it worked was first you would buy the tree for $20 (I think) and then after Christmas you would bring the tree back and get $10 back and they would turn the tree into mulch. Our first Christmas together, we drove down to Ikea (it was 45 minutes away) and first went into the Ikea restaurant and had their signature Swedish meatballs platter.

Then, we would look around a bit before going outside and getting the tree. Now that I think about it, it probably really dried the tree out driving it so far home. Each year, we would buy an ornament to commemorate the year. So, when you look at the ornaments on my tree, they are all very different. Sometimes they were commemorating places, sometimes events. And, of course, there were lots of airplane ornaments.We continued to get our tree this way until they discontinued renting them a few years later. But, we continued to go and have the lunch each year. It seemed to be the kick off for holiday shopping for us. The thing I remember most about the Ikea lunches was the laughter while we ate. Eventually, we went our separate ways….. but occasionally we would still go out to lunch and that always included a December trip to Ikea. A few more years down the road,cancer took him away way too soon. And yet, every year I continue the tradition. But now, the seat across from me is empty and tears replace the laughter. I keep going because I choose to remember the best of times and the fun we had. A lot of time has passed and I’ve made a lot of new traditions but, I think the Ikea tradition will always have a special place in my heart. Wishing you a your’s a very Merry Christmas!!

#ChristmasTraditions. #Ikea

#MyChristmasStory