Tag Archives: Christmas Trees

Recycling Your Christmas Tree

Well, it’s New Year’s Eve and it is time for out with the old and that includes your live Christmas tree.  I love live trees because they smell so good, but then there is always the question of what to do with it when you are done. Of course, you could always just put it on the side of the curb for trash pickup, but aren’t there some better, greener solutions? There are! First, many communities are now offering Christmas tree recycling pick-ups.  And, if your community doesn’t offer pick-up, they may at least have a location you can take … Continue reading →

Fake Christmas Tree or Real Christmas Tree?

If you are trying to adopt a green lifestyle, you may find yourself conflicted when thinking about Christmas trees. What should you do? Is purchasing an artificial tree and reusing it year after year more eco-friendly than using a real tree each year? Below are a list of pros and cons for both artificial and real Christmas trees. Artificial Pros: – New artificial trees are looking more and more realistic every year. – Some artificial trees come with snow and pre-lit lights, so they can be time-savers too. – Artificial trees are more convenient than real trees. – Artificial trees … Continue reading →

Marriage Christmas Traditions

Mick had his turn of looking after me, now it’s my turn to look after him. On Sunday night we went to carols at the beach. Despite the heat of the day and the fact it’s summer here in Australia, that evening turned quite cold and windy. Next thing, Mick’s come down with all the snuffles, aches and pains of flu symptoms. He’s an easy patient to look after though. He’s spent the last few days on medicine and sleeping, sleeping, sleeping. I wish I could sleep like that when I’m sick, but I never can. Thankfully I’m now armed … Continue reading →

Christmas Tree Traditions

Each American family seems to have their own Christmas tree tradition. Some decorate the tree with a hodgepodge of ornaments acquired through the years while some have a specific color and ornament scheme. Some families like the ease and convenience of an artificial tree while others prefer the tradition and smell of a real tree. But, did you know that there are different Christmas tree traditions throughout the world? Most think that we got the custom of the Christmas tree from the Germans. It is believed that Martin Luther was the first to bring a Christmas tree into the home. … Continue reading →

Real or Fake Debate

How do you put up a tree? Do you take it out of the box and out it together? Do you go down to your local Home Depot or corner tree lot and put up a real cut tree? Do you go out to a tree farm or the middle of the woods and cut your own? There are reasons for choosing a real tree and reasons for choosing a fake tree. Here are some of the key points to help you make a decision. Price The least expensive option is to cut your own tree on your own land. … Continue reading →

More Holiday Grinches

Okay, it’s official—there are multiple grinches on the loose out there. In previous blogs I told you about the weirdo who stole a baby Jesus statute from a resident’s nativity set and replaced it with a can of beer and the wackos who tried to set fire to a giant straw goat–central Sweden’s official Christmas monument—but were foiled because it had been soaked with flame-resistant chemicals. Now, closer to home (within driving distance of my own backyard) some scrooge is chopping down Christmas trees in people’s yards. It’s hard to believe, but according to police, residents in Wisconsin are going … Continue reading →

Hawaii’s All-Inclusive Airport–Deck The Halls With Trees AND Menorahs

Much has been made of the whole Seattle airport/Christmas trees/menorahs brouhaha, but off the the coast of the Evergreen State (about 2,000 miles off the coast) sits a pearl of islands where Chritmas trees and menorahs co-exist in harmony void of controversy. ALOHA! And welcome to paradise. Yes, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, far from the threats of rabbis and 14 plastic Christmas trees– airports throughout the Hawaiian Islands have both Christmas trees and menorahs prominently displayed for tourist of all religious affiliations to admire. “In light of everything that’s going on, we thought it was a good … Continue reading →

A Family Christmas Tree

A decorator might find our Christmas tree mismatched, haphazard, an unpleasing balance. And to be honest, it is all that. We don’t have a color scheme. We don’t have a snowflake or Santa or Victorian theme. What we do have is an abundance of ornaments made out of construction paper. We even have some made of paper plates with tiny hand prints in flaking red and green tempera paint. To be honest, our tree is mismatched and there are some very homely ornaments on there. There is even one that is truly – trash. But that year my son thought … Continue reading →

The Art of Choosing a Christmas Tree: Our Family’s Tips

There is an art to choosing a Christmas tree. It’s a science. Just ask my kids. Last night was our family’s annual ritual of selecting a real tree. Everyone got bundled up. There was some frantic searching for missing gloves, a few hats pulled down too low, and some disobedient scarves. But armed for the cold, we set off on our adventure. I’ve decided that this is one of my favorite parts of Christmas for our family. No television, no video games, and no cell phone distractions. We’re all out together, united as partners in the hunt. Kyle, especially, looks … Continue reading →