In this light-hearted and unexpectedly deep episode of Coffee with M and J, Mandy and Jaime explore the charm, meaning, and personality behind Christmas trees - specifically the difference between a “memory tree” and a “perfection tree.” The conversation unfolded spontaneously after Mandy dropped a line so profound that Jaime immediately hit record.

The hosts kick things off with their beverages of the day: Mandy has switched to water after reaching her coffee limit (to avoid feeling unfocused or “all over the place”), while Jaime sips on Sumatran Tiger coffee with a splash of heavy whipping cream - proudly owning her earlier “gluttony of coffee.”

Then the holiday fun begins:

• Jaime’s “Perfection Tree”: Classic, traditional, and magazine-worthy. All glass bulbs. White lights. Not a single child’s hand touches it. It’s beautiful… but missing the whimsy, memories, and meaning tucked inside a neglected box of keepsake ornaments she hasn’t opened in years.

• Mandy’s “Memory Tree”: Eclectic, sentimental, and full of stories. Every ornament has history - childhood pieces, travel treasures, Buzz Lightyear, Mary Poppins, Cubs memorabilia, and her grandma’s vintage ornaments. Her tree can flip from white lights (her choice) to colored lights (her husband’s), and while she’s not a color-matching perfectionist, ornament spacing does matter.

Along the way, the hosts talk about waste, tradition, personality, and what our trees say about us. They invite listeners to share their own “memory vs. perfection” preference - and even post photos of their trees.

By the end, Jaime commits to a personal challenge: opening that box of keepsake ornaments and letting a little memory magic in.

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