Sunday 11 December 2011

Christmas Tree Decisions

Last week we started our annual Christmas tree discussion. It goes along the lines...

Me-     We'll need to get a tree this week...
Mr TH-  What for?
Me-     Christmas?
Mr TH-  Can we not have so many decorations on it this year?
Me-      .... (silence)
Mr TH-  I thought we had an artificial tree in the roof?
Me-     No, we don't have one in the roof.
Mr TH-  Do you think it might be greener to get an artificial one?
Me-     Maybe, but real ones look real & smell wonderful...
Mr TH-  They both cost about the same but with an artificial one you'd only need to buy it once...
Me-     Erm, true...but the real ones do smell lovely...
       (Long pause)
Me-     Let's go & look at some real ones.
       (trip to see trees)
Me-     Now that we're here, we might as well buy one!

In the thrifty sense, Mr TH, is right but real trees win every time as far as I'm concerned. We bought our 5ft tree from a local reputable grower.

I kept it outside in a sheltered spot, propped up in a bucket of water until I was ready to bring it in.


Then I sawed off the base of the trunk and pruned away all the lower branches.

Using large stones & bricks, I propped the tree up in large bucket & filled it with water. I'll check it everyday & refill when necessary. I also placed it away from the radiator.

The bucket was not attractive so I sliced up a cardboard box from the supermarket to disguise it.


Then out came the box of decorations collected over the last 20 years...at this point Mr TH rolled his eyes & quickly left the room...


Don't forget that, starting tomorrow, the Making Winter bloghop will be hosted here...

11 comments:

Annie Cholewa said...

I would love to have a real tree, but after a very hefty vet bill post a dog eating the dropped needles a few years back I just don't dare any more. In fact this year I'm not sure if we dare have a tree of any kind ... Griff really is the naughtiest whippet we have ever owned and I'm sure will demolish it the first chance he gets. Last year we got away with a small tree on a table as he was still a pup, but he has also grown into the biggest whippet we have ever owned so a tree really wouldn't stand a chance!

Anonymous said...

Ours is artificial, largely because we inherited it with the house! I agree that a real one would smell better, but it's hard to find nice ones locally.

litlove said...

Oh I love, LOVE that dialogue between you and Mr TH. Sometimes it's good for reason not to win. It holds sway for the other 50 weeks of the year! Plus, Christmas trees are a crop that gets forested. If they weren't so commercially viable the land would be given over to something else, and woodland would actually be lost. My father visited a planted pine forest in Sweden and said it was full of the wildlife you'd expect in a natural forest. So in fact you ARE being green in having a real tree.

Unknown said...

You can't beat real trees - I like the imperfections of a real tree, they make it more charming. Your tree is beautiful. Good job!

Nicki xx

fluffydog said...

We have a tree in a pot that we bring in each year which is about 3 1/2 feet tall now. This year is the first year I have had help to decorate it (our 2 year old) and we ended up with about 4 decorations on each branch. But we have decorations we have collected over the years and I still am adding to our collection each year by buying one decoration.

Happy Christmas

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

My OH would solve the tree problem by having no tree at all. On previous occasions he has come in with a Christmas tree shaped branch of holly (surprisingly convincing) and we have now settled on little real ones growing in the field which come in a pot and are then planted out again. Sounds the perfect thrifty and ecological answer but they are only about 3 foot high! Suppose you can't have everything. I hate artificial trees with a passion which is entirely irrational. Rather have a bare twig!

Penny said...

I love the smell of a real tree too but sadly we will not be having one this year:0( Your's is looking beautiful might I add and no doubt feels very special to have up and in your home. Enjoy! xox

Mrs. Micawber said...

I love that you used the tiniest typeface available when admitting that your husband was right...

Always a real tree for us. I agree that it's better for the environment - the tree farm we buy from every year sometimes hands out a little flyer explaining how the forested lands provide shelter for birds and animals, and how the trees help clean the air.

Your tree is lovely. And I love the box around the bucket - it's very elegant and almost retro looking.

Calico Kate said...

This is SO pretty. Because I was putting up the 'tree' in a hurry as I was about to have a group of girls for tea I used a piece of rhododendron branch - the great bit is no needles & no need to water, the cat's also don't pee in the soil!!!
When I find a camera that works - we're being a bit technology challenged at the moment!
Love the box idea too, & I don't think you can have too many decorations on a tree can you?
CKx

Ginnie said...

Love your discussion with Mr TH! And as several other said, I've read that from an eco standpoint, real trees win hands down, because of their positive impact on the environment vs artificial trees, made usually of petrochemical-based plastics. And once someone tires of it and throws it away, it's in the landfill for ever.

Glad you could convince Mr TH! The tree looks beautiful.

The Vintage Bazaar said...

I so enjoyed this "tree conversation" as it is exactly the same here! As always I won. A beautiful tree from a local source.. generously covered with my vintage collection of decorations! Lizzie

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