We Are All Christmas Trees.....

Yesterday we went out shopping for this year's official family Christmas tree. It's always an adventure. In my lifetime I have used a few different types of Christmas trees.

Our artificial tree.
Way, way back in the day my family got an aluminum tree. These were popular back in the early 60's. To assemble it, you had to slide a specific size straight branch into a hole on the pole, or trunk. It was a pain in the neck. But it was shiny and looked nice with ornaments on it. To jazz it up we would put these spotlights with rotating color wheels to give it more color. It was great until the color wheels came loose and would melt on the spotlights.

I have also used the popular green "lifelike" artificial trees. We still use one in our family room. It looks great and is very easy to put up. It looks good in a picture, but still lacks a little something.

Our official tree is a big "live" one that goes in the front window of our living room. The funny thing is we always purchase our tree from a lot that was the site of an old restaurant where my wife and I met many years ago. 

To be honest, I always grumble about the whole live tree process. They are a lot of work - shopping, installing, adjusting, decorating, maintenance, and disposal. Then the cleanup. But the Mrs. insists on a real tree. She's had one her entire life and I gave in years ago.

Christmas morning.
I think I can finally see the attraction to "real" Christmas trees. A Christmas tree is us. We are all Christmas trees.

  • When shopping for a real Christmas tree, you quickly realize they are all different. None are exactly perfect. Just like people, some are too short, some are too tall, too fat, too thin. Some have a bad side. Some have a branch that sticks out. They are just as different as people we know. Nobody's perfect.
  • A Christmas tree requires great care to prepare. Just as a person requires a good environment as they grow up.
  • A Christmas tree looks great decorated. Just like when we wear our finest to a special occasion. We get compliments on our looks, just like the tree.
  • A Christmas tree requires daily maintenance and watering. Just like us. If you don't take care of it, it doesn't last long.
  • A Christmas tree smells great. You can tell immediately what room it's in. Just like many of us will get gifts of cologne to improve our scent.
  • A Christmas tree actually becomes part of the family. They stand right behind you in pictures.
  • A Christmas tree, over time, will start to loose it's needles. Just like I am loosing my hair.
  • A Christmas tree, at the end of the season, will get kicked to the curb, and laid down horizontal with the ground. Just like us.
So as you are decorating your tree this year, whatever type, take time to enjoy it. You will remember it in pictures. It will make you smile long after it's gone.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

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