Tonight, I put up my tree. Mousie-moodle helped. Ashley supervised.

This is my living room from one end and from the other end. There's really no place for a tree unless I move the console table.  But on Christmas Eve the console table becomes a full-sized dining-room table covered in food and drink - so that won't work.

So I'm left with just one possible location.  The window seat behind the couch

It's not a lot of space, and most people might be tempted to put a measly little tree there and call it a day.  I'm not most people.

I want a 6-foot tree, and I'll settle for no less.  For those of you playing along at home - here's a good rule of thumb: If the stand will fit in the space, you can make the tree fit in the space.  With a little creative thinking.  When you test your stand - make sure that you note which part of it has to face the front.

Now, what you have to do is construct yourself 2/3 of a big tree. As you assemble your fake tree (surgery on real trees is outside of the scope of this guide.) - leave off the back 1/3 of the branches, always remembering which part of your stand has to face the front when you move your tree into your little space.  This will give you the impression of a full-sized tree but the reduction in diameter will allow you to squeeze it in where it normally wouldn't fit.

When you're done - you will be left with a very ratty looking 2/3 of a tree.That's OK - once it's decorated and in place, it will look fine.  If you're putting it in a window, don't worry about how it will look from the outside.  It will just look like a large tree-shaped thing with lights on it. You will also be left with a box of leftover branches.  I used them to turn my autumn fireplace into a Christmas fireplace.

Now - put the lights on your tree, and put it in place.  Then finish decorating it.  Then go to the pantry and pour yourself a drink.

Here's mud in your eye, tree.  Lookin' good!

Plus - here's a cute picture of the mousie-moodle and a Christmas ornament: