And do you have a real tree or fake?
I always loved a twinkly Christmas tree. But since I moved into my tiny flat it seems too much hassle to make space for. I usually just put fairy lights around my huge bush of a potted plant that's in the corner of my living room.
I'm more pagan than Christian anyway so it still fits with my mojo.
Not totally sure what I'm doing this year. I have some small trees that I will probably put up but on the fence about my large tree. Will start putting decorations up next Friday and will play it by ear.
shareYes, Friday after Thanksgiving is when we usually start decorating too...fame Pumpkins and Turkeys down to the cellar and trees and lights come up
We're looking forward to it this year more than ever🎄
Even though I live alone, I always put up a Christmas tree. I've had an artificial tree for years, but some years I decide to get a real tree. This year I happen to have three Christmas trees: the main one in my living room and two smaller table-top trees, one in the dining room and one in my bedroom. I put up some lights inside, too. Even my kitchen has some. This year especially, they cheer me up. I may still decide to put lights outside during Thanksgiving weekend.
shareYes, I also live alone, but I still put up a tree. As you say, they do cheer one up and I appreciate that.
shareCheering up is especially important this year. I read an article earlier today about how more people than usual are putting up holiday lights outside. And they're getting thanked by their neighbors.
shareThat's very interesting. I'm glad to hear it.
If I lived in a house I would definitely do some exterior decorating but unfortunately I live in a tiny little apartment.
I have always enjoyed Christmas because it is indeed the most cheery time of the year, though sadly I know that many people--and it seems like more and more as the years roll by--don't take it seriously and do nothing to embody the spirit of the season. That's unfortunate.
Because we’re normally always away in December, we just put up a single fake tree (when it was just the two of us, we never bothered). My 6 year old daughter will, no doubt, do a sterling job in assisting.
shareA fake one in the main floor in front of the window. It's not up yet, but that's usually where I put it.
shareBeing that the holiday season is my favorite time of year, I never fail to put up the tree (it's artificial).
As soon as December 1st rolls around, I put up my decorations and start watching the Christmas movies and specials, and listen to the music. Never during any other time of year because the Christmas season should be special.
100% agree that the Christmas season should be special. The people who start their festivities and decorating before Thanksgiving exasperate me a little. But to each their own, I suppose.
In my family, the Christmas season always started the day after Thanksgiving, and I still think that's the best way to do it. For me, once Thanksgiving is over I go into full-on Christmas mode and enjoy it while it lasts. Then after the 25th I begin packing it away again until the next year.
One thing I could never comprehend was the Hallmark Channel running holiday programs during the summer. It's July, the weather is hot and miserable, and they're showing Christmas movies... ?!? Who watches this stuff? It's not the proper time of year, which cheapens and trivializes the holiday experience.
shareWell, on that point, to be fair to Hallmark, I can remember Christmas-in-July stuff going all the way back to my childhood. There's even a Wiki article about this phenomenon:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_in_July
But I agree it's dumb. I love Christmas, but not in July. It is popular with some people, though.
Nope. That died out with my parents. I don't have enough disposable income to indulge in this, nor the family to appreciate it.
shareYou can always get a simple tree and string it up with some colored lights. That's what I do.
I picked up a 6 ft artificial tree at Walmart for $25 and it's served me well now for four Christmases. I probably spent an extra $10 for the lights. Even if you live by yourself, it can still bring some needed cheer into the home.
I make a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, doesn't take much space and doesn't cost anything after getting the initial red ornament. As an added bonus I get the yearly thrill of a night walk to steal a piece of fir tree from someone's yard.
shareThe Charlie Brown tree is an adorable classic, my sister did this for her first Christmas in her first apartment
I saw a very Goodfellas looking all white tree at the Home Depot on Monday...$300 and maybe another 60 bucks for purple balls
It was tacky and perfect, I really want a Goodfellas tree
Yuck, I don't like those all-white trees. Nor, for that matter, do I like white lights.
Green tree. Colored lights. THAT'S the way it's supposed to be!
It is actually a long time ago, that we had a real tree indoors. Like, I think it was 1991!
shareIf you have the space and money, I really think a real tree is the way to go, ESPECIALLY if you have a tree farm nearby and can go cut it down yourself.
shareBut still, there are some advantages to having a plastic tree.
Like you will never have to sweep up any needles or cut down a small tree before it's even grown.
Sure, an artificial tree is more convenient. No doubt about that.
But I think that the inconvenience of dealing with a real tree is worth. A real tree is, after all, real. It's authentic. And I think it brings a certain boost of festive Christmas spirit that you just don't get with a piece of metal and plastic.