留学启示 独家规划

Fletcher老师家的圣诞树准备好了，你的呢？附中英文独家攻略

At a GlanceOne of the most iconic images during the December holiday season is the Christmas tree. Every family has their own version of this tradition, but the one universal standard is that presents are placed under the tree for children to open on Christmas day.

圣诞树可以说是圣诞季中的最具标志性的形象之一了。在美国，家家户户都有自己的圣诞传统，但不变的是大人们会把礼物放在圣诞树下让孩子们在圣诞节当天打开。

Some families use artificial trees which they use over and over again each year, but many families, including my own, find a live tree to bring home and decorate. Some years my family drives a great distance from the city to a tree farm, where we chop down our very own live tree. This year we just went to a local nursery to select a live tree.

有的家庭会选择人造圣诞树，因为这样的树可以用上很多年。但是包括我们家在内的很多家庭会去选一颗真正的圣诞树然后把它拉回家进行装饰。有几年我们一家人会开车到离城市很远的林场去亲手砍下心仪的圣诞树。今年我们就在一家当地的苗圃选了一棵。

The tree is given a fresh cut at its base to help it soak up water, and then is bundled tightly for transport before being strapped to the top of our car. Once home, we remove the tree from the car, carry it inside and place it in a tree stand, making sure to secure it very tightly at the base!  Next we string lights throughout the tree.  Some families use multi-colored lights but we usually use white lights. Then we cover the tree with ornaments. Some of our ornaments are homemade projects, some are gifts we collect through the years, and others are just store-bought. Every family has different types of ornaments. The final ornament is usually a star at the top of the tree, and then it’s ready for family and friends to enjoy!

圣诞树要从靠近地面的树干部分砍断，这样可以帮助它吸收水分。在我们把树绑在车顶上带回家之前，整棵树被紧紧地包裹起来（这样运输时树会跟稳定）。到家后，我们把树从车顶上卸下来，扛到房间里，把它稳稳地插在底座上！然后我们开始把灯系到树上。

有些家庭喜欢用彩灯，而我们家喜欢用白灯。然后我们开始给树加上各种其他的装饰物。有一些装饰物是可以自己动手做的，有些是我们多年收集的礼物，还有一些只是从商店买的。每个家庭会都用不同种类的装饰品。最后的点睛之笔，一般是在树顶的安上一颗星星。然后我们就可以同家人和朋友一起欣赏我们的劳动成果了！

Some families have other traditions as well, like hiding a certain ornament deep in the tree for children to find on Christmas morning. My family does this with a green pickle ornament.  Other families place tinsel all over their tree, which is meant to make the tree appear to have ice on it.  My family’s special tradition is to string rows of popcorn and cranberries using a needle and thread, and layer them around the tree.

有些家庭也有自己的传统，比如把一些装饰物藏在树的深处让孩子们在圣诞节的清早去寻找。我们这次藏的是一个绿色泡菜样子的装饰物。有的家庭还喜欢给树穿上“金箔衣裳”，看着仿佛是枝头挂上了雪一般。我们家的特殊传统是给树绑上一串串爆米花和小红莓，这些东西是我们用针线手工穿起来的。

The Christmas tree is a focal point of most homes during this holiday season.  There is a comfort to sitting with family around a Christmas tree, singing songs and laughing while basking in its glow.  My family looks forward to it every year.

圣诞树将会成为圣诞季室内最为吸睛的东西。和家人围坐在圣诞树周围，沐浴着树上放出的光，一起唱着歌，一起有说有笑，真的是一件乐事！我们一家人每年都期待着这个特殊的时刻！

Tips

【Choosing 选树】Fraser Fir is the best because it’s branches are perfect for holding ornaments, freshly cut so it takes water and doesn’t dry out quickly.

弗雷泽冷杉树是最好的选择！因为他的树枝形态完美可以很好地支撑起装饰物。树一定要现砍的，这样有助于它吸收水分，不会很快就干枯。

【Decorating 装饰】

Lights first, inside then more outside, and then ornaments. My wife’s approach is basically that you can’t have too many. I like them to be personal to my family...ones you’re happy to see again when they come out of storage the next year. After all that, the star at the top. (and then I string popcorn and cranberries to put on it at the end...that’s old school)

先挂灯，从里到外，然后是其他的装饰物。我妻子的原则基本就是别挂太多的东西。我喜欢让装饰物更有自己家的特色，那些能让我明年还想用的装饰物。最后，在树顶摆好星星，就大功告成了。（我们最后会挂米花串和小红莓串，这是比较传统的风格）