[Originally published in Synapse on Dec. 12, 1993.]
To decorate a Christmas tree
Is very hard, you know.
For underneath your work of art
Is where the presents go.
And if the presents have no place
That’s Christmassy and bright.
They might not want to leave St. Nick
And that would not be right.
With all the work of Santa’s elves
In crossing off our lists,
And with the work of Rudolf’s nose
In coming through the mist.
We couldn’t let our Christmas tree
Not have our favorite thing
Hang right in front and make the tree
Shine brighter when we sing.
And so we go into the box
Where Christmas things get stuck.
And find the decorations there
Then carefully untuck.
Then by the tree, that we picked out.
We sit down and we think
Of where we’ll put the ornaments,
And then to Mommy wink.
‘Cause we know where we’ll put them up
So Santa Claus will know
That at our house it’s Christmas
Even if it doesn’t snow.
And that is why we decorate the tree so carefully,
At least the parts that we can reach
That Santa Claus will see,
‘Cause when he’s down the Chimney
And opens up his eyes I’ll bet it is my ornament.
The first one that he spies.
Since I know just what Santa likes,
And what he likes to see,
My most important Christmas job
Is decorating trees.
