A Live Christmas Tree Brings Back A Lifetime Of Memories

In most families, the Christmas tree is the centerpiece of the holiday decorations. It's been that way in my family since I can remember. Some of my fondest memories are of going to a Christmas tree farm, spending what seemed like an eternity finding the perfect tree in the bitter cold, and finally chopping it down and bringing it home. Although I think it made my parents miserable, as a child I loved it.

Now that I'm older, I still much prefer a real tree to an artificial Christmas tree, but I certainly can relate to the advantages of a fake one. No hassle in cutting it down, no fighting with getting it straight in the Christmas tree stand, no needles to clean up and no fighting to get it into the Christmas tree bad for disposal.

Through the years, I've tried them all, and the advantages to artificial trees are numerous, especially if you go with pre lit Christmas tree. We've had everything from aluminum Christmas trees to white Christmas trees, even pink Christmas trees. They are indeed much easier to decorate. Put the tree ornaments on well, put a nice Christmas tree skirt around the base and they look as good as the real thing. Heck you can even buy an already decorated Christmas tree now. As I said, they look great.

Yet now as I'm older, I've returned to getting live Christmas trees every year. The reason is simple. That's where my memories are. Every year as I put on the Christmas tree decorations and breathe in the fresh pine scent, I go back 40 years in my head. It is my youth relived. Memories come flooding back, even as I fight to make sure the tree is straight in the stand.

I remember my dad putting on the lights and my mom making sure each ornament is in the perfect place. I remember always wanting to put the star or any of our other Christmas tree toppers on at the end. I remember finally being old enough to where I was finally allowed to do so. I remember sitting in a dark room with the tree lit and just staring at it's beauty. And as I take it down, I remember the problems fighting with the lights and trying to make sure they would not get tangled for next year. As I sweep the pine needles, I remember doing the same thing as a child.

There is no substitute for those memories.

Many of the articles you will find on this website will talk about the many advantages of an artificial Christmas tree. I cannot argue with any of them. But none of those arguments are as strong as the memories I relive when putting up a live Christmas trees. I hope my kids will have those same memories and pass them along to their children as well. Maybe they'll mean as much to them as they do to me.

Check out the other Christmas tree articles below, then evaluate what means the most to you.

• Artificial Christmas Trees
  It's a debate every year in some families, do we get another live tree or is this the year we finally break down and buy artificial Christmas trees. However in my family, there is no debate.
  
  
• The Artificial Christmas Tree
  As kids we hate to admit it, but sometimes our parents know best. Never was that more evident than the year I convinced Mom and Dad to keep the artificial Christmas tree in storage.
  
  
• An Artificial Christmas Tree Looks Better
  An artificial Christmas tree get better looking every year. More...real. Our lives are difficult enough without having the trouble that a live Christmas tree brings.
  
  
• Prelit Artificial Christmas Tree
  After struggling with wires and outlets for a couple of hours I decided that it was time for me to invest in a prelit artificial Christmas tree. Here's why.
  
  
• Mail Order Christmas Tree
  Buying a Christmas tree is a big hassle from start to finish, and I simply detest it! That's why I've decided to purchase a mail order Christmas tree for my family this year.
  
  
• Christmas Tree Skirt
  In my household, the Christmas tree skirt is a critical decision. We have 3 different Christmas tree skirts that can be chosen, and it is a huge ordeal to my children.
  
  
• Pink Christmas Tree
  Nothing says ‘girly’ like a pink Christmas tree. Pink is a really hot color for teens right now and I am glad to see the spark of interest in the favorite hue for girls
  
  
• An Angel Christmas Tree
  I realize that Christmas is a time of traditions, and it's hard to break from those traditions. On the other hand I always found an angel Christmas tree to be beautiful.