Removing the 2007 Christmas Tree… 2008? Artificial!
We just took down our Christmas tree – and, while doing so, I gave my wife full permission to buy us a new ARTIFICIAL Christmas tree for next year!!
The one we got for 2007 was real – cut down ourselves – from a neighbor’s tree farm. But, to save a few bucks, I decided to buy a WIDE tree instead of a TALL tree. Big mistake.
Here’s a picture…
For one, it was funny looking. Looked like a mushroom.
For two, it stunk. Really bad. Like sulfur bad. The water at the bottom of the tree stand was putrid – like sewage. I had to hold my breath as I carried it out of the house.
Speaking of carrying it out of the house… I had to put on my leather jacket and gloves to avoid getting poked by the 3,923,409 razor-sharp needles that had dried up and turned into green steel.
Thankfully, we got the tree out of the house without breaking any windows or piercing any skin.
But then, there was the needle cleanup. Thousands and thousands of sharp, pokey needles all over the carpet, rugs and tile.
Never again.
I used to think getting a REAL tree was a wonderful Christmas tradition.
Now, I appreciate the inventors of the artificial tree. Thank you, Germany!
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Yes we know all about needle avalanches, but still we put up with it for once a year. There’s something very special about having that wonderful pine fragrance, when the tree is first cut,upon entering the room.The photos of your children look as if they’re having great fun,God has truly blessed you with a lovely family. I very much enjoyed your encouraging words for Christmas, and I pray that you and your family will have a great, blessed new year. Keep up the good work Joe.
Esther Peel England. -
That’s a hilarious loooking tree! It will make for some great memories as your kids grow up and start telling their Christmas stories.
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fake is grate ? but how can u not like the good arroma of the [fir spruce pine]you cant beat.
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Gorgeous, happy, healthy looking children – you are truly blessed.
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Happy 2008! Your children look so happy; that’s wonderful. As for the tree, I guess it took the experience you had with it to switch over to an artificial tree. I switched five years ago and have never regreted it. To get the pine smell in the house for the holidays, just cut a tree stump and/or a few branches and lay them beneath the tree in the back. Usually tree farms or lots will give them to you or let you have them cheap.
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Mr. Barton you obviously are familiar with research. Research which tree a real one or an artificial one is most friendly to the environment. Your reasons (3) are in your photo. Consider that the tree creates oxygen as it grows, provides shelter for birds and insects,food as well its falling needles compost. After its use in your home it is mulched and returned to the earth. On the other hand an artificial tree requires synthetic products to make but more important it takes energy to make the components,packaging and delivery of the tree. Nature makes every tree unique and after all you chose it!! Put sugar in you tree water, in nature the water entering the tree from the root system carries sucrose, that prevents the cut portion of the tree from getting slimey and not allowing the water in the reservior to feed the tree. That is why you lost needles and had a sulphur smell. My tree was up for 20 days , it was fresh cut at a local tree farm (in Canada) and immediately put in the house. I lost maybe 60 needles on the way out the door. I did need the leather gloves. Happy New Year.
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Real trees cut for Christmas is not a good tradition since “cutting a live tree is like cutting a live human being or animal” we have a saying in Turkey. So artificial trees or trees planted in pots (the smaller pine trees for growing inside the houses) are much better.
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Hahahahahahaahahahhaahahhaahahahha!!!! that has got to be the funniest looking tree i have ever seen!!! but your kids are precious!!!!! I love christmas and the wonderful christmas trees! It sounds as though your set on artificial, but i will share some things i do that could maybe be helpful if you ever decide to go ‘natural’ again. First, water the tree with only a little water for the tree to absorb, and be sure to check for water everyday. when the tree stops taking water, stop watering it! WE put our tree up the week of Thanksgiving and the the week after Christmas we took it down with no mess and very little shedding and it smells so wonderful i don’t want to take it out of the house! another tip, is that when we take our tree down we spread a large sheet across the floor, lay the tree down on the sheet, wrap the tree loosely and drag it out the door on the sheet! no mess! PS, i appreciate so much what you do. I have used many of your home remedies and I’m all about natural health. I share your blogs with everyone i know. Your natural remedy saved me a trip to the emergency room at 2:00 in the morning, and now I use your natural health preventatives!! God bless you and your wonderful family this year!! Thank you too for your openness about being a Christian. that’s the greatest thing of all you can share. Sincerely, Susan Hearld
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I did some research this year before getting a tree – I wanted to do what was best environmentally and for my family. I have to say that all the research pointed to what Sandy Mealing wrote in her entry. Artificial trees are BAD for the environment in so many endless ways!! I won’t repeat what she wrote, but her tip about the sugar water is a good one.
Happy 2008! -
All my life until about 5 years ago we have enjoyed a live Christmas tree. We set it up on Dec 1 and decorated it on Dec 14, our oldest daughter’s birthday. Great tradition. Now since we go to visit grandchildren for the holidays we have gotton an artificial tree; tall and skinny with branches that try to look natural. It’s okay and I don’t intend to get another. I am not polluting the environment and am thankful that at least we can enjoy a “tree”. My Mother told me that as a child their live Christmas tree was lit up every evening by her father lighting myriads of candles. (the fire dept.stood by watching,hoses in hand)
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Joe,
You miss the purpose of bringing in a tree at Solstice, I am a Druid and my family and I have a tree planted in our garden, we bring it indoors over the cold snap, decorate it and feed it with organic nutrients and then on return it outside for the rest of the year.
Why cut a tree down? The commercialism concerning trees has taken over. It is now big business and for what? You feel you need to bring in a dead tree:-)
Why buy a plastic tree? this is worst than bringing in a dead tree. Just think of all the fossil fuel used to make that plastic tree, and think of those people who just buy the one plastic tree, “We’ve had to tree for years”. Yes and doesn’t it look good, as good as a ruff alley cat. If you own one you don’t notice how decaded it looks.
Do yourself a favour bring in a real tree to look after or decorate the house with the kids pitures of winter, it means so much more to the one’s your doing it for.
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I have had a beautiful artificial tree for the last five years. It came with lights installed on it, which I really like. When the season is over, I either leave it up and put easter eggs on it and a string of pumpkins or fold it up and store it until next year. Now isn’t that better than cutting down trees every year?
For the lovely fresh smell I got some fresh cut throw-away live branches and put them on shelves around my apartment. That worked fine and I was just recycling.
Laurel Paster, January 23, 2008 at 11/56 AM
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Jan29.
hi,
About disputing of Christmas tree.I think it is a matter of each individual imagination and experiments.you try this or that,whatever makes you happy and suits your style.The most important to keep Christmas joyful and fun for all family, and of course what is under the tree is the best part.And I hope your supper looking children enjoyed that.Erika
Oh I know about tree needles and how deep they bury into the carpet,never getting all of them. We went to the hills and cut our own trees nearly all my life and about 2 years ago I had my first artificial tree. My kids were all grown and gone. Not the same tho.
For 2008 I hope to get my acid reflux in check, am looking at 2 knee surgeries, but not until I absolutely have too. Your 2008 sounds wonderful. We have 2 seriously ill people in our family, my husband being one of them. I pray every day and night for him.
Hoping all your dreams come true for 2008.
Happy New Year To You And Your Family
Jean Bricker
P S Good Looking Children