Countdown to Christmas ~ Day 12

Right now is when I really wish I either had a nice big fireplace in our house or that we lived on the Ecuador. How little kids can stay outside in the cold for so long I have no idea. But I still love the Christmas season & am really enjoying all these stories from our designers! Today's story & freebie come from Lahni of Queen Wild Scraps.

"My favorite memories of Christmas are the getting and setting up of the tree. We'd usually go out into the mountains with all my cousins and grandparents and chop down our own tree on the first Saturday in December. Unless it was too cold - but we were hardcore and didn't miss many years. It had to be blizzarding and at least -25 for us to miss out on this tradition. Anyway, we made a whole day out of the event. We'd drive out to the mountains, start a big bonfire and roast hot dogs and marshmallows and drink hot chocolate. After we'd chosen the tree and the Dads had chopped them down, we'd get to go tobogganing. Sometimes we'd just slide down the mountainside (as if that wasn't scary enough) but sometimes our Dads would tie us to the bumper of the trucks and pull us around. We tried to carry this tradition on once we all started getting married but it's slowly died out. It's something I really wish my children could participate in...perhaps I'll have to revive the tradition!"

I have to admire families who cut their own trees, personally I like staying warm inside with a plastic tree! Thanks for the great memory Lahni! Here's your freebie for today; I think I hear my drummers drumming in the living room ... & that's not a good thing!

** This freebie has expired but you can still pick it up in the store for just $1.99! **