Every Christmas movie on television has a perfect Christmas tree. Usually the tree is live, rather than artificial, and it comes from a tree farm or a downtown tree lot. The trees are somehow perfectly shaped to fit into the house, and beautiful ornaments and lights are waiting for their arrival. Hot cocoa and cookies complete the perfect holiday ensemble. After the star is placed on top, the people look out the window to see snowflakes floating in the air. You can almost hear Bing Crosby breaking into song.

I have been around Christmas activities for more than seven decades. I remember having...