To Tree or not to Tree?
This year we can put up a tree but...its been so nice and easy not having to do all that stuff, I kind of like it! I put a small tree in front of the window ( I buy one of those real live ones already decorated  , some garland and wreaths outside on our gate and well, that's it...Except for all the sheepie cards - which get displayed as they come in...Am I being a grinch???  |
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| If it makes you feel any better, we haven't had a tree in at least three years. When we brought Zoey into the house, it was on December 12th of that year and she was 5 1/2 month old. We new that a tree would be a bad idea and we've just not even tried since. And now with Caitlyn, it's like dejavu all over again... Vance |
| Last year I needed a small tree for my Giving Tree display at church. It was inexpensive. When I took it home I said, "why not?" and put it up as our house tree. Took FAR fewer lights and decorations. DH liked it so much he got rid of the large tree. This year I noticed he packed away the smaller tree already. I know we aren't putting up a tree but I'm holding out for wreaths outside and lights on the fence. No more ladder decorating for us! You are not a Grinch! Instead pick a spot and decorate that up. Table top, buffet top, I like Pier 1's commercial where glass balls are hung from the chandelier...excet I'd have to get fishing line....bah humbug. I have a few small things easily unpacked that will do nicely. And maybe this year I'll get all the candles together I've been meaning to burn, put them on a nice tray and have a big glow one night. |
| I think it's me who is hanging on to the tree tradition, although my husband really loves going out to a tree farm to cut one down. He would be happy with a small tree but I love big ones. Until I read this thread, I don't think I considered ever not doing a tree--I sort have been trying to figure out where I would be able to find nice young people to help me wrestle a huge tree into my living room when I'm 85 but it occurs to me that perhaps some day I might just decide to go smaller or skip it altogether. But not this year. |
| The past 3 yrs we have had 3 puppies during xmas and still had a xmas tree. The first pup knocked it down at least once a week til xmas, then we invested in puppy gates to go around the tree. Problem solved! It just wouldn't be xmas w/out a tree! |
| For me it's aging....I remember when my MIL went "bah humbug" and I thought she was nuts.... For me it hit a couple years ago.  Now we do a small tree in top of a steamer trunk (flat topped) and minimal decorations. It used to be 2 full sized trees! I have one outdoor rope light tree: and used to do all the eaves of the house, etc. I have tons of Christmas stuff, but find I only put out a small portion. I used to literally put away the normal house deco and replace it with Christmas stuff - no more! I do find that after I put out the decorations, they do cheer me up though....   And part of my "problem" is I LOVE the fall decorations and hate to put them away. |
| I love Christmas and love to decorate for Christmas. I put up two trees each year. We also put a few decorations outside, more easily set out, red flood lights at the bottom of the Palm Trees, a deer with lights on it. Really simple things. Wreaths on the front door, coach lights on garage. Easy things to put out and take down. I know how you feel about not putting the tree and decorations up. We went through that for a few years after our parents passed away. (they passed away with quick succession) A few years ago we started decorating again, I was ready. I don't always use all of my decor. I put out only what I feel like putting out and leave some others for the next year. So what I'm advising is do what you want. The decorations are for your enjoyment...so if you want a small tree, so be it. Just enjoy the holidays at whatever stage you are in. |
| When I was younger, the family HAD to have a tree. And the first Christmas in my first place, I had to have a tree. After that, the only time I've had a tree is if the girl I was dating at the time wanted one. Maybe Grinch-y sounding, but it's just a big hassle to me. |
CamVal1 wrote: When I was younger, the family HAD to have a tree. And the first Christmas in my first place, I had to have a tree. After that, the only time I've had a tree is if the girl I was dating at the time wanted one. Maybe Grinch-y sounding, but it's just a big hassle to me. Mark - you sound just like Todd. If it was up to him there would be no holiday decorating for any holiday or season. It just isn't important to him. |
| Hah! Our first Christmas together, my husband said he didn't believe in Christmas trees and we weren't going to have one. I dragged one home by myself and put it up (no car at that point). He agreed we would alternate years tree/no tree. The next year, we went back to visit our families at Christmas with our first baby: no tree. Next year was a tree year, and our son was about 18 months old. The next year (son was going to be 2.5) was supposed to be a no tree year. I said fine: YOU tell him we aren't getting a tree. We got a tree. When we moved to MN, we found a nice tree farm with VERY inexpensive and very nice trees and it became a tradition to go and cut one down ever year. Last year, we waded through a LOT of snow to do it. It was the first year since we've had kids that it was just the two of us. Hubby wouldn't miss it now for anything. It's become his favorite part of the season. We've even gone out when it was -20 to get a tree. |
| I used to do the same thing Dawn, put stuff away to make room for all the Christmas decorations. Every year I've gotten older I've done less decorating in the house. I think it's because with my swing shift I'm not home enough to enjoy it and it's a lot of work unpacking it and then repacking after Christmas. I do love to put up lots of lights outside for everyone else to enjoy. Plus, with a puppy again I have to worry about him getting in trouble this year. I haven't put up the big tree in a few years. I have a 4 foot tree that is all decorated that I put a big garbage bag over. I take it out of the storage room in the basement, remove the bag, carry it up stairs and put it on the entertainment center in the living room and tada, the tree is up.  Cindy |
| I have a 4 1/2 tree I can put up, a bit large for the sideboard but it allows me to do my "thing" if I desire. I'm more apt to put flowers on the tree than ornaments. I think the village that nestled underneath it went to the thrift store. One thing DH will miss w/o a tree is his teddy bear collection. Look at the avatar, I think you can see one or two. We started collecting bears when Clancy the Irish Wolfhound wanted to sleep behind the tree (well, it was HER spot afterall) By putting down some stuffies, she respected them and slept elsewhere. By then we were into bears and a few small sheepdogs. Last count was 60 bears. DH lovingly unpacks each one, calls them by name (a lot are Gunds with their name tags) and carefully places them under the tree. So all depends on what the MD says this week or next, maybe he'll want his tree afterall and revisiting his friends. One thing I really don't want to do away with is the wreaths on the house and gate......that is festive to me. |
| We used to always have a live tree. Our ceilings weren't high like they are now but the one year we cut our own and it too up 1/4 of the l.r. in width. The neighbor couldn't wait to see us haul it out after the holiday was over. I decided I didn't like the spot it was in so I crawled in as far as I could to the trunk and walked it across the room. Was a few years younger then. Now, because we live up here alone and go down by the kids for Christmas Carl puts stuff outside and lights things up. We do have a small fibre optic tree that gets a few of our ornaments but I don't put out my snowmen and angels anymore and really don't care if the tree didn't go up. |
| I've always liked a tree and decorations. But since moving into our home we have only had a small tree. We have been renovating the house in stages, so last year we did not put up a tree. Instead, I covered a large chair in the living room with a Christmas tablecloth and the presents went on and around it! Mark talks often and fondly about "The Christmas Chair". We are still renovating, I have yet to decide how much decorating we will do this season. I do like hearing what other folks do for the holidays and decorating. peg & howie |
| If it weren't for the kids, I wouldn't have bothered with X-mas decorations at all. Especially lighted decorations, as they waste energy => help increase air pollution. I wouldn't have been buying presents, either. And it's not because of Santa and all. My kids have known there's no Santa from the start. I just don't want them to be left out so they do receive presents. Once they get 9-10 yrs. old I'll encourage my kids to choose a charity to donate part of the money that would have been otherwise spent on X-mas gifts. |
| I don't think X-mas would be X-mas if we didn't have a tree. I do the hauling and the setting up and the decorations. I find it cheery to have the tree up...and then the long process of taking it down...I could do without that. |
| What are these.....? Gifts?? AWRK! Today people were bringing gifts back for the Giving Tree tho they are not due to 12/11. Apparently they will be out of town that day and wanted to get them in early. Diningroom table now loaded with gifts. ICK! Is this our decorations this year? Good thing is they are GONE by 12/11! |
| I agree that it wouldn't be Christmas without a tree - and a real one, at that. We never had a real tree when I was growing up (the first artificial one was a small green one that fooled no one and was up on a platform, then we had one of those hideous aluminum trees complete with color wheel), so I vowed that as long as I was physically able, there would always be a real tree in our house. Last year was in doubt because of my broken leg, but the kids came to my rescue and put the tree up and decorated it for me, because they know how much it means to me. I'm sure some of the "romance" with decorating is the fond memories of the kids as little kids. My favorite time of the year, hands down! |
It JUST wouldn't be Christmas without our annual Christmas tree fight.  John likes a tall- very full tree-- I prefer a tall slimmer tree. Must be a frasier fir- and at least 9 ft. Every year we say " I think this is our prettiest tree ever". We love the tradition of going to the tree farm, having hot cocoa while we disagree, and then agree, on the perfect one. As we get older, I have cut back on decorations in each and every room. I don't mind decorating, but putting things away is for the birds. As my nieces and nephews get older, and don't visit us as much (  ) I find myself a bit depressed that we rattle around here without the hussle and bussle we used to have. Of course we have the lil "greats" that bring us such joy, but everyone is SO busy running here and there, that we understand if they don't just "drop in" much anymore.We will all be together at Mom's, but I love to have company. In fact, I just had a good cry a little bit ago, when I brought up decorations from the basement. Thinking about when I had my little buddies over every year for slumber parties, and we would bake cookies and decorate. Now Ashley, my oldest niece has 3 babies of her own, Abbey is married, and Kyleigh is in college and in a serious relationship. And the three nephews-- well-- forget that. 23, 22 and 16. Doubt they want to spend time with Aunt Buckie singing Jingle Bells Sorry - didn't meant to ramble... and to answer the original question Ashley-- YES! We have a tree. |
I guess I must be considered certifiably nuts then compared to most of you. My husband suggested we go out & look for a "smaller" tree for the living room this year. Before he finished the sentence I was shaking my head NO. He said, "OK. Then I am not going to feel sorry for you when you tell me how tired you are from decorating that big tree"! The grandkids get a kick out of guessing how many ornaments are on it each year. This year we set it up Thanksgiving evening & put the lights on it so I can start decorating it each day after work this week. Then I get all the other decorations out for the rest of the house. Hubby does the outside decorations. We have a system that works. OOPS! Almost forgot. I decorate the kennel too    (no, this isn't my Chriswtmas card this year!) |
| I LOVE the white tree!!! |
| Oh my goodness--I just spent 4 days non-stop decorating! I love Christmas and just can't let go of all of it...although the older I get the more I think of having to take it down...as I put it up! My DH and I were laughing about that today. He doesn't do much but he had a few days of vacation and I put him to work this year. He just grumbled a little bit! Takes 4 days to get it up and 2 days to get it all down! It does ALL come down the DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS though. When it is over I am DONE and want it down! |
| My mom acted like it was the best christmas ever when we said we're doing it at my house instead. Her first reaction was "So I don't have to put up a tree riiiighht?" |
| I love your white Christmas tree. The tree I decided to put up is white as well...we call it our Tropical Christmas Tree. I decided not to put the green tree up in the gathering room this year. |
| Many years of being crazy about Christmas...best years were when my two girls were young..loosing Leslie at 19 changed my life...she was my Christmas buddy..her last year I caught her packing away "her" decorations to hide and she was planning on taking them with her..I have to put up a tree now for her decorations and the two granddaughters. Granddaughter that is 3 spent an hour having me and Papa go with her around her house to look at her decorations...she was so excited...my daughter that never seemed as interested is carrying on the torch with her little ones making memories. I do a lot for the little ones but mostly for my memories of past years..I enjoy feeling close to my Leslie by being surrounded with memories of her...makes me feel close to her and I sometimes feel her around me when I'm decorating. Makes me feel great watching my daughter making memories with her little ones. She is having a St. Nick tea party for 3 year olds Saturday and putting little gifts in shoes teaching them the real story. We are slowly learning to do less at home and participate as grandparents at her house as it's her turn to do most of it for her two little ones. Giving both girls their gifts from us the weekend before so they aren't overwhelmed and can have that week to play with gifts...will make a special dinner also as Christmas dinner will be at their home..trying to change...I think folks need to "enjoy" the holidays by doing whatever makes them happy! I enjoy having a tree and watching the little ones and spending time remembering Christmas past. Pups Rosie and Maggie seem to enjoy looking at the tree and the excited little ones...not sure they enjoy their Christmas sweaters so much:) |
| Chris, when I was little (in the early 60s) my aunt had an aluminum Christmas tree, decorated with red satin balls with the color wheel in front of it. My sister and I STILL THINK that was the coolest tree EVER. And Marilyn, I love your white trees. I only have room for a 4 foot tree, and it's artificial cuz it needs to be on the skinny side. Most of my living room/dining room decos are up. I put a tabletop aluminum tree in my bedroom, decorated with pink ornaments. However, this year I'm not motivated to put up my living room tree. A part of me is still sad because of Mom dying around this time last year. But maybe eventually I'll feel like putting it up. To me, Christmas isn't Christmas without a tree. Anyone remember this line from "Little Women?" Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents. I say it a lot this time of year! |
| I still am enjoying my fall decorations! OK, I'm also on a intense work stretch here - by tomorrow night I will have worked 7 out of the last 9 days - all 12 hour shifts , plus all my usual stuff and some holiday volunteering....but likely I still wouldn't have switched to Christmas! It's on my list to do by this weekend though!  And - my maternal grandma had one of those silver trees with the 4 colored light that rotated colors. I have great memories of that tree and visiting grandma.  I think I would actually like one at some point - purely nostalgia and "feel good" memories!  |
| I was a Campfire Girl in the 60's and I remember my Leader having one of those threes silver with the color wheel. I was just reading the other day that they are very collectable. |
| I had an aunt who had the aluminum tree with the rotating color light, and it was so fun and shiny and totally different from the green one at home. A few years ago I found one in an antique shop.......wasn't looking for it.........but had to have it. It was in perfect condition, color wheel light and all. It's now my second tree. |
| The one and only year I put up a (small) tree - every other year I've had puppies, youngsters or SYBIL <g> I figured out I'm allergic to them! And I don't want a fake one. Every year I still contemplate putting one up and every year I find a reason not too. This year I actually hung some stockings by the fire place, but only because I was taking Christmas photos of the puppers. I left them up in honor of Dawn, who's coming down for a few days and even, gasp! left a couple of decorations on the mantle despite the extra - gasp - dusting required. I am such a grinch.  Since I moved out here I started spending Christmas' by myself - intentionally. Kind friends invite me, but I like being home, celebrating with the Norwegian Christmas traditions I grew up with (heavily revolving around FOOD of course, much of which normal people - e.g. Americans wouldn't want to touch with the proverbial ten foot pole - my mom hates most of it  ). Dad usually spent Christmas with me, while Mom flew off to be with some set of grandchildren. Last Christmas I actually dragged all of the critters to my parents' house, Dad knew it was going to be his last Christmas, and ordered everyone home no matter what, so the family was all gathered in its dysfunctional glory. I can laugh now, but I could have cheerfully strangled my mom at the time. This year I decided I'm staying home and just cooking all of Dad's (and my) favorite Norwegian dishes and having a peaceful Christmas with the dogs. The odd thing is that twice in the last two weeks I've come home to the TV in the den being on for no good reason. Remote's up on the mantle. Only dogs in there are my old lady dogs. It's a little eerie. I can't decide if Dad's trying to tell me to get my lazy butt in gear and put up a tree anyway or if my 14 year old sheepdog has suddenly become addicted to Days of Our Lives in her dotage...? Kristine |
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