oh, whitemanitou. It just isn't Christmas until the tree is up! The wonderful pine smell that fills the house, the beautiful twinkly lights, the homemade ornaments full of memories. My husband and I will just sit on the couch after the kids are asleep with all the lights off except those on the tree. We will share a bottle of wine and just be together and peaceful in this most hectic, crazy time of year. I know it sounds sappy, but did you read Day Two of the latest Write Away? I'm a sucker for the poor dead and dying thing. I mean, it's already been cut. It is destined for a fire pit somewhere in February anyway. And yes, if I didn't buy one, maybe the demand would lessen and they would cut less. I know, I know. Take away the presents, take away the sappy, overdone, outdoor decorations. Take away the crazy traffic and the manic crowds all trying to get the best deal before anyone else. Take away the bills and the hype and the overwhelming expectations. But please don't take away my tree!

Doesn't the real, dead tree frighten you? We made that "organic" choice for years, for the same good-smell reasons.

I switched to artificial about 15 years ago, and haven't regretted it a bit. The reasons?

1. Less environmental impact (although who knows the real cost of an artificial tree)

2. No fire danger. I was always got spooked once the organic tree stopped "drinking." It meant the crispy days were starting.

There's much less mess (no matter how careful I was, I always spilled some of the now-brown water from the stand all over the carpet at take-down time). I get greens from Costco or the grocery store weekly, so that there's a fresh pine smell in the house THROUGHOUT the season. (... and not just for a couple of days after we bring the tree home)

I sleep much better, not having to worry about a potential fire bomb downstairs.

Plus ... the artificial tree I chose has a wood trunk and looks beautiful because I can hang everything I want without weighing down the branches.

ACK! Real, live Christmas trees?? NOT in my house.

I read "The Little Fir Tree" by H.C. Andersen when I was a kid....no trees chopped down for me after that. Sad, sad ending...I STILL cry about it.

Read it here... http://hca.gilead.org.il/fir_tree.html

May you never chop down a tree again for decoration!

Live and let live ... sorta ... kinda. When a tradition is strong, we're getting into sacred territory. I convinced my 28-year-old daughter (who's equally attached to "real" dead trees) to try both. She bought bargain-priced, high-quality artificial tree after the holidays at 80% off. This year, she put up both. I have a feeling that next year only the artificial tree will be up. They're all beautiful (as are our traditions).

OK, keep your trees! :-) But, not in my house. Believe it or not they decorate for Christmas in Russia (although their big deal is New Years Eve). My wife's solution is: "OK, you geev me money vee need spend on tree and decoration and I spend on me". It works for me. LOL Am I "selling out my ideals"? Maybe, But, I love her and I still don't have to have a dead tree in the living room. LOL

How about buying a small live tree? They are beautiful and smell great. Then, when the holidays are over, you can plant it in you yard.That is my plan.

Chrisz

THAT I like!