I grew up in a family that bought an artificial tree for Christmas and it lasted around 5 years before we bought another. We had fun each year, finding the right branches for each "layer" of the tree, bending each one just the right way for that "real tree" look. Then we loaded it with decorations: lights, garland, ornaments (handmade and heirlooms), and finally placed the angel on top and plugged it up so we could "oooh" and "awww."
Ah, the ease of pulling it out and putting it together, the perfect look with minimal effort.
Oh, the hassle of straightening the branches to put back into the box just right, the "thrill" of making tree hunting a family outing. (Where exactly in the attic is it? Is it still in good condition?)
I married a man who loved the joy of finding that perfect tree, not too bare, not too tall, not too wide; and bringing it home to set in a stand securely and filling the base with water. He had to make sure there was water enough so the tree didn't dry out and cause a possible fire hazard. So, for the past 6 years, that is what we do this time of year. We find that tree that has our name on it, and we bring it home. We cover it with lights and garland and ornaments (handmade and heirlooms), and finally we place the star on top and plug it in to "oooh and "awww" at it.
Ah, the smell of pine, the beauty of the real branches.
Oh, the stickiness of the sap, the sting of the needles, and then the clean-up.
We will be finding a tree in just a few weeks, probably right after Thanksgiving.
So what is your preference? Do you enjoy the live tree, or the artificial tree? Lighted or do you light your own?
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Comments: 7
Here in Philadelphia, the city Fairmount park Commission collects discarded real trees and makees them into mulch used in the park plantings. No waste!
Even if the tree goes to a landfill, it isn't entirely wasted. It is a bit of biodegradable nature that counteracts all the manufactured junk in the landfill and purifies a speck of it.
Unfortunately she passed one December and upon entering the house after the funeral there it stood in all it's aged and ragged wonder - my brothers and I all looked at one another and without saying a word one of them grabbed it and carried it to the trash where it just sort of sagged and slid in as if it too were relieved of the countless Christmases. It seems we all had an unspoken hatred for the ugly tree, now I get a real tree and then plant it in the yard every year.
We have a really nice one that is 7.5 feet tall and as round and real looking, many were tricked to as it is a fake tree.
We did the real thing for many years, and I couldn't wait to chuck it out the door very soon after x-mas , I love the smell and the look but kids and a tree standing in water did not mix,nor did the pine needles.. that fell off and poked you in the foot.....one day if I ever get the big huge living room as we all dream about I may go back to real trees ,then thier will grandchildren to spill the water : )