I am a traditionalist who believes that some things need a bit of tradition, Christmas is one of those things. I have never had a fake tree and see no reason to start now. To me, part of the Christmas spirit is the annual search for the tree. As a child that meant trudging off into the tree farm in the snow to find the right tree. Now that we live in California, that search means shorts and t-shirt wandering parking lot tree stands for the perfect tree. Not quite the same tradition, but still something we share as a family (Bella loves the tree lots, new smells everywhere!) In addition to the tree, we also do our annual Christmas in New York trip.
Last year, was the closest call to fake I ever had. I was traveling for business and when I got home there was a tree in the living room. Well, actually it wasn't a tree, it was a pre-wired and lighted chunk of metal and plastic. Yes, I realize this is a bit dramatic, but there it was in all its glory. Lisa was beaming over the work she had done getting the tree put together and the furniture moved around the room to make it fit. Of course, I said all the wrong things and insisted it go back in the box. Wihtin a few hours it was back in the box and back at Lowes.
Whew, close call. In order to avoid such future dilemmas, I negotiated a new arrangement, trees will be real, but they will now be put up earlier (Lisa's request). Per our new arrangement, we purchased a tree this weekend and decorated for Christmas. It seems a little too early to me, but at least the tree is real. So, the stockings are hung by the chimney with care in hope that the Boyscouts soon will be here (to deliver the tree).
Watch for a picture of the tree in the coming days and let me know what you think, real or fake? Plastic or pine?
