Holiday tradition begins with tree.

Byline: JAIME LYN REA The Register-Guard

The Christmas season began Saturday for the Caruana family as they chose a tree from a line of noble firs at the same tree lot they've frequented for seven years.

Christmas is a time of elaborate traditions for the Caruanas, and finding the perfect tree is an important first step. In the coming days the family's traditions dictate exactly how the tree will be decorated, enjoyed and recycled.

"There's a special operation," Amy Caruana said as her husband, Stephen, tied the tree atop their minivan.

The Caruanas were among many people who will buy their Christmas trees this weekend or next, typically the busiest weekends of the holiday season, according to Ken Cypcar of Eugene, who has helped sell trees at O'Hara Catholic School on West 18th Avenue for 10 years.

He said tree shoppers are eager to start the Christmas season.

"They are anxious for Christmas," he said. "They have traditions, and they want to keep them."

Each year, once the Caruanas' tree - always a noble fir - is home and in its stand, Stephen Caruana strings miniature lights through the branches and then adds "a really old string of lights" in the shape of pine cones and candles.

"The lights are by far the feature," his wife said.

Stephen and Amy Caruana bought the accent lights early in their marriage from an Italian company, and each year the lights have continued to shine.

Next, the family adds ornaments. Their two children, 9-year-old Jocelyn and 7-year-old Patrick, take turns each year with the final touch of putting the angel in its place of honor atop the tree. Finally, Stephen Caruana continues a childhood Christmastime tradition of setting up his trains beneath the tree.

The tree stays up through the feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6, a Catholic tradition that celebrates the visit of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus.

"The kids can't bear to see (the tree) taken down," Amy Caruana said.

But the tree is not forgotten. After it's removed, Stephen cuts off the branches and stores the trunk in the garage. The next Christmas Eve after evening Mass, the family makes a yule log bundle of the trunk's log, which is cut into pieces, and pine cones found while hiking during the year. The bundle is tied together with fancy ribbon saved from the previous Christmas.

"It's a way to tie the years together," Amy Caruana said.

Each member of the family writes notes on small pieces of paper, listing the regrets of the past year and hopes for the new year, and adds them to the bundle along with some strong potpourri. A crackling fire is started from the bundle and lasts through the evening.

"We've really tried to make it meaningful to make traditions for the kids," she said. "They don't remember what they got last year for Christmas, but they remember the yule log."

The Caruanas had plenty of company on Saturday. Diane Searle of Eugene searched with her husband, Wayne, for a "big, fluffy" tree.

"I'm probably one of the pickiest," Diane Searle said. "We were at two other places and were not pleased."

She finally found a large noble fir she said will be perfect for Christmas Eve, when 28 family members descend on their home.

"Perfection is what we like," she said.

The Searles' holiday traditions include a tree-decorating party. After the lights are strung on the tree, boxes of decorations are spread across the living room floor and people pick their favorite ornaments for the tree.

Christmas carols play on the stereo, and people enjoy homemade caramels and drinks.

Finally the tree is lighted, and "everyone oohs and aahs," she said.

CAPTION(S):

Stephen Caruana and his son, Patrick, 7, secure a Christmas tree for the ride home Saturday. The Caruanas will keep the tree decorated until after the Epiphany on Jan. 6.