The centerpiece of the living room during the Christmas holiday is the Christmas tree.\u00a0 The tree is where we place our presents for others.\u00a0 The twinkling lights reflect the light in our heart for others during the season.\u00a0 Some people choose to decorate a real tree and others opt for fake trees.\u00a0 Which is best?<\/p>\n
Opinions differ on the subject.\u00a0 But, real trees are environmentally sound.\u00a0 They are grown on tree farms and harvested around the holidays in time for Christmas.\u00a0 People keep the tree watered throughout the Christmas holiday so the tree stays green and lush.<\/p>\n
Artificial trees are made of metal and plastic.\u00a0 Plastic as we know does not break down in the landfill.\u00a0 Little pieces may flake off and contaminate the water table.<\/p>\n
Artificial trees have one thing going for them.\u00a0 They can be reused each Christmas.\u00a0 As long as they are in use, they are out of the landfill.\u00a0 It saves money in the long run.\u00a0 Many artificial trees come pre-lit so there is no need to buy strings of lights.<\/p>\n
One mistake that real tree buyers make is forgetting to water their tree once they get home.\u00a0 The tree needs water even after it is cut down.\u00a0 The warm air in the house can dry it out.<\/p>\n
Once it dries out, the pine needles begin to fall off.\u00a0 There is no wakeup call quite like stepping on a pile of sharp, brittle\u00a0pine<\/a>\u00a0needles in your bare feet.\u00a0 A dried out Christmas tree is a fire hazard.\u00a0 Those warm lights or a spark of some kind can send it up in a blaze of glory.<\/p>\n Many families like buying a new live Christmas tree each year.\u00a0 Finding the perfect one is a tradition.\u00a0 It does require some work.\u00a0 There is the job of securing it to the top of the car.\u00a0 Some tree farms let you cut down your own tree.\u00a0 That requires a chainsaw and some know how.<\/p>\n At home, the tree has to be carried in the house and perched in the waiting stand.\u00a0 Underestimating the height of your ceiling or the size of the tree could mean removing the tree again and trimming it. On a positive note, after Christmas, the tree can be chopped up for mulch in the yard.\u00a0 But, the gas and elbow grease involved in getting and disposing of the tree is enough for some people to switch to a fake tree.<\/p>\n The choice is purely personal.\u00a0 Once you have made the choice, it is time for the decorations.\u00a0 Instead of using glass and plastic ornaments, opt for edible ornaments.\u00a0 Even if you don\u2019t eat them, they can be thrown down the garbage disposal after Christmas.<\/p>\n For real trees that come unlit, use strings of LED lights.\u00a0 They use less energy and last a lot longer than the current light sets.\u00a0 Natural ornaments made out of\u00a0pine<\/a>\u00a0cones and berries reflect a hint of Christmases past.<\/p>\n