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Christmas in Madison, Wisconsin

December 13, 2017December 13, 2017 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 10 comments
Christmas in Madison, Wisconsin

I remember visiting the state Christmas tree in Madison, Wisconsin when I was younger. It would fill the rotunda, so round and full. When I think back on cozy Christmas memories, those visits to Madison, Wisconsin at Christmastime top the list.

However, according to my parents it may have been one memory that became a family tradition in my head. They recently told me that we probably visited the state capitol only once or twice. You know how parents are: intent on taking away all of our joyful, happy childhood memories. 😉

I’ve thought about going back to back to Madison for the holidays to see the state Christmas tree again for awhile now, and this year was the perfect year to do it. 2017 has been less than magical (personally, I’m not talking state of the world here, although in some ways that fits, too) and I knew I needed do something festive; something to help slow down and reflect on the holidays ahead instead of just wishing the year to finally (finally! 🎉) be over.

I have a relative who lives in Madison and it turns out my mom had been thinking about visiting, too, so we decided to make it a girls weekend. We arrived in Madison on a Friday, so we woke up not-so-bright and not-so-early on Saturday to head out. It was a cold day, with a bitter, biting wind. We hurried around the building until we found the closest door to take us inside.

Reliving childhood memories and visiting Madison, Wisconsin in December to see the state Christmas tree in the rotunda! // dreams-etc.com

Reliving childhood memories and visiting Madison, Wisconsin in December to see the state Christmas tree in the rotunda! // dreams-etc.com

Reliving childhood memories and visiting Madison, Wisconsin in December to see the state Christmas tree in the rotunda! // dreams-etc.com

Reliving childhood memories and visiting Madison, Wisconsin in December to see the state Christmas tree in the rotunda! // dreams-etc.com

There it was! Not quite so big and tall as I remember–a different tree, and I’m a little taller now than I was back in the day. But still so beautiful.

Reliving childhood memories and visiting Madison, Wisconsin in December to see the state Christmas tree in the rotunda! // dreams-etc.com

In honor of the capitol’s 100th birthday, schoolchildren from around the state created ornaments to be used to decorate the tree. They had displays around the tree with one of the ornaments from each school, along with the name. I knew ahead of time that the school I attended when I lived in Wisconsin had sent in Christmas ornaments and as luck would have it, we walked in right by the display that had one of their ornaments!

Reliving childhood memories and visiting Madison, Wisconsin in December to see the state Christmas tree in the rotunda! // dreams-etc.com

Reliving childhood memories and visiting Madison, Wisconsin in December to see the state Christmas tree in the rotunda! // dreams-etc.com

We also visited the tree while a flute choir was playing. If you’ve been around here long enough you might know that I used to play the flute. I still do from time to time, especially during this time of year, because Christmas songs are so much fun to play! I thought the flute choir was a nice size and I loved listening to them! The flute is the best instrument ever, and you won’t be able to convince me otherwise.

As much as I loved seeing the tree, I also loved seeing all the kids who came with their parents to see it. As we left, a little girl walked in with her dad and my mom asked, “Do you think you were ever that young when you came to see it?”

I don’t know how old I was when we visited the tree, I just remember how majestic it was. As she skipped down the hall I hoped for her–and for the other kids–that the tree would be so big and magical that this one visit would seem like a childhood of visits, like it did for me years ago.

(Although I still think we went at least twice.)

What are some of your favorite childhood Christmas memories? I’d love if you shared them in the comments!

[Tweet “Lets relive those cozy, Christmas memories from our childhood. #merrychristmas #christmasmemories”]

Reliving childhood memories and visiting Madison, Wisconsin in December to see the state Christmas tree in the rotunda! // dreams-etc.com

 

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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10 comments

  1. Anthea says:
    December 13, 2017 at 5:32 am

    That Christmas tree looks so beautiful!
    Lovely photos – looks so festive šŸ™‚

    Reply
  2. Ellen Ross @ Ask Away Blog says:
    December 13, 2017 at 7:27 am

    OMGGGG That tree is huge and awesome!

    Reply
  3. Belle Bermudez-Tubel says:
    December 13, 2017 at 10:22 am

    That Christmas tree is simply gorgeous and magical! I love the Christmas traditions that we always do back in the Philippines where we do house-hopping on Christmas day!

    Belle | One Awesome Momma

    Reply
  4. Cara Owens-Kindly Unspoken says:
    December 13, 2017 at 2:50 pm

    What a gorgeous Christmas tree! Sounds like a magical tradition!

    Reply
  5. Courtney A. Casto says:
    December 13, 2017 at 3:13 pm

    Wow, that is a gorgeous tree, especially in that space. I bet the music really fills up the rotunda too! I have very vague memories of going to downtown Pittsburgh when I was young to see the tree and Santa in the PPG building where my grandfather worked. Two years ago I went to the Biltmore Estate to see it decked out for Christmas and it was impressive!

    Reply
  6. Kuleigh says:
    December 13, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    Oh my gosh! That tree is HUGE. I love all the multicolored decorations. I’ve never really thought about going to some of the state offices to see their decor before.

    Reply
  7. Marissa Pedersen says:
    December 13, 2017 at 7:32 pm

    What a beautiful setting! I’d love to hear the flute choir.

    Reply
  8. The Haunted Housewife says:
    December 14, 2017 at 9:18 am

    That tree, and whole building, looks so magical! I’m not far from Madison, I’m in Whitewater currently. If I can, i may drive out to Madison to see the tree too! It’s goegeous!

    Reply
  9. Kate says:
    December 14, 2017 at 12:39 pm

    I love how they included ornaments from all the schools- that’s such a fun touch to bring everyone together this season!

    Reply
  10. Erica @ Coming up Roses says:
    December 14, 2017 at 1:00 pm

    What an EPIC tree!!! OMG!

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

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