Christmas Trees
The first thing that many people think about when you mention the word Christmas is a Christmas tree. A Christmas tree can mean many different things to diverse people.
For myself, our family has always had an artificial Christmas tree. This was due to allergies in our home and our own tradition entailed unpacking our Christmas tree, setting it up and decorating it. As I have grown and have a family of my own now, I find I still choose an artificial Christmas tree for many reasons. They are environmentally friendly, no mess of pine needles to clean up, there are not nearly as many fire hazards with an artificial Christmas tree as there are with harvested Christmas trees that need to be watered and taken care of on a daily basis. There is the small hassle of taking down the artificial Christmas tree at the end of the season and storing it for next year, but for myself, the positives outweigh this lesser point.
Some families still choose a real Christmas tree each year. They have built the tradition of going out, choosing the 'perfect Christmas tree' for them, bringing it home and decorating it as a family. Typically it is because they enjoy the aroma a real Christmas tree gives off in their home and prefer to dispose of their Christmas tree at the end of the season rather than take it down to pack and store it for another year like having an artificial Christmas tree. Whichever route you choose, deciding, putting up and decorating your Christmas tree each season should be a joyous family event.
One can have many styles that a Christmas tree can be decorated in. Each style is typically a reflection of the household in which the Christmas tree resides. You can also tell a lot from the family by their Christmas tree they have on display. Some families will have a main Christmas tree in their sitting area and yet another Christmas tree downstairs, each with their own distinct style.
I have an aunt who decorates her upstairs Christmas tree to match her decor in her sitting room in a very tasteful blue and silver combination, while her Christmas tree downstairs holds all the Christmas ornaments that her children have made for her over the years. My own mother's Christmas tree holds only ornaments that have been made or given to her over the years by her children, grandchildren or other family and friends. I personally feel that Christmas trees will symbolize what each household finds their Christmas is really about and what they hold dear to their heart is on display for their Christmas trees to hold.
My own personal Christmas tree holds an assortment of personalized ornaments made by my own children from daycare, school and home over the years. Each of these proudly displays their name and year created on the back. It is a wonder to look back each year when unpacking and setting up my Christmas tree how much my children have grown and everything that I have received from them out of love. Each I hold dear to my heart and reflect on during the Christmas season.
Some families choose to have a small, tabletop Christmas tree rather than a large Christmas tree mostly due to their own living arrangements. I have an acquaintance that has a small 2-foot Christmas tree that sits on top of a bookshelf for display rather than taking up more space in the small apartment. This small Christmas tree is simply decorated with a set of small lights for effect only. Simplicity suits the household in which this Christmas tree resides.
No matter which type of traditional path you choose, whether it is for an artificial Christmas tree or a harvested one, be sure to make it your own. Personalize it to fit your family and to reflect your own tastes. This Christmas tree is a part of your home for an entire season and should be proudly displayed for all your friends and family to enjoy during this festive holiday season.
Merry Christmas!
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