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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 29, 2022 6:13:00 GMT -5
To vote, I ask that you tell a short Christmas tree story.
One year, when I was particularly broke and the kids were little, I went to the thrift store and got a tomato cage. I also picked up a bag of some old silver garland. Wasn't much, paid a couple of dollars. I brought them home with the kids wondering what I was going to do. I placed the cage upside down, wrapped it in garland and made some popcorn. We all sat around marveling at what a nice little tree it made as we made popcorn garland. Over the weeks before Christmas, we made a bunch of ornaments. Turned out to be a great tree and brought us together for the holidays.
We generally had a real Christmas tree. Now, with all the kids gone, I'm lucky if I put up the little 3 foot fake. Christmas trees had always been one of the best parts of Christmas, but it's not as fun without the little ones.
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Post by fernwood on Nov 29, 2022 6:55:57 GMT -5
Money was kind of tight one Christmas. We always had a real tree. We went to several tree farms nearby. My husband insisted that all the cut your own trees were too expensive. Just before dark we went to the final tree farm. The person there said it was too dark for us to cut our own, but someone had just returned a tree. We could have it for $10.00. Since the least expensive tree we had previously found was $20.00, my husband said it was perfect. It was the right size, but I noticed that the trunk had a large bend in it. The next day after work, we tried to put the tree up. It looked ridiculous. When the base of the trunk was secured in the stand, the tree was leaning greatly to one side. When the tree was straight, it was very tipsy in the stand. So, my husband got two cement blocks from the garage. He tied the tree to the cement blocks. The tree was now secure. Never mind that there were two cement blocks sitting on the floor about 4’ from the tree, nor that there were 4 pieces of rope.
He was not amused when I decided to decorate the ropes with lights and garland.
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Post by liveoak on Nov 29, 2022 7:41:39 GMT -5
Tom and I have always had the tradition of going out and cutting our own tree in the woods.
In my opinion, it keeps it true to the reason you bring a tree in, in the first place. We never buy a tree.
The trees have varied, depending on where in the country we've lived to what type of tree it is.
In NY State we used to cut red cedar trees.
Which were cool, and many times had clumps of juniper berries on them.
We used to live on a dairy farm & the farmer had many acres, I remember one year cutting the tree, amidst the snow falling, and sleighing the tree back home through the woods. It was so tall we had to go upstairs in our house to decorate the top.
In the NC mountains we had Fraiser Firs, and we used to bring them in with a root ball & replant them after New Year's. We actually had a deal with a local Christmas Tree farmer, we could dig a tree for free if we kept an eye on one of his fields next to our house - he was afraid of tree rustlers. In the Adirondacks we had Balsam Firs, which smell quite wonderful. Here in NW Florida we cut Loplolly pine (which is actually a plantation planted tree).
We go out and hunt on "water management land" and spend an afternoon looking at trees,
and finally deciding on the right one.
Patty always wants them "Big & Tall", Tom always wants them "Nice & Full".
We always compromise & enjoy a picnic & a nice day out in the woods. And also collect some Yaupon Holly to make a wreath.
I'm looking forward to it. Patty
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 29, 2022 7:42:02 GMT -5
Money was kind of tight one Christmas. We always had a real tree. We went to several tree farms nearby. My husband insisted that all the cut your own trees were too expensive. Just before dark we went to the final tree farm. The person there said it was too dark for us to cut our own, but someone had just returned a tree. We could have it for $10.00. Since the least expensive tree we had previously found was $20.00, my husband said it was perfect. It was the right size, but I noticed that the trunk had a large bend in it. The next day after work, we tried to put the tree up. It looked ridiculous. When the base of the trunk was secured in the stand, the tree was leaning greatly to one side. When the tree was straight, it was very tipsy in the stand. So, my husband got two cement blocks from the garage. He tied the tree to the cement blocks. The tree was now secure. Never mind that there were two cement blocks sitting on the floor about 4’ from the tree, nor that there were 4 pieces of rope. He was not amused when I decided to decorate the ropes with lights and garland. That reminds me of the time we had to tie ours to the wall. We had a cat that LOVED to play in the tree!
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 29, 2022 7:45:06 GMT -5
Tom and I have always had the tradition of going out and cutting our own tree in the woods.
In my opinion, it keeps it true to the reason you bring a tree in, in the first place. We never buy a tree.
The trees have varied, depending on where in the country we've lived to what type of tree it is.
In NY State we used to cut red cedar trees.
Which were cool, and many times had clumps of juniper berries on them.
We used to live on a dairy farm & the farmer had many acres, I remember one year cutting the tree, amidst the snow falling, and sleighing the tree back home through the woods. It was so tall we had to go upstairs in our house to decorate the top.
In the NC mountains we had Fraiser Firs, and we used to bring them in with a root ball & replant them after New Year's. We actually had a deal with a local Christmas Tree farmer, we could dig a tree for free if we kept an eye on one of his fields next to our house - he was afraid of tree rustlers. In the Adirondacks we had Balsam Firs, which smell quite wonderful. Here in NW Florida we cut Loplolly pine (which is actually a plantation planted tree).
We go out and hunt on "water management land" and spend an afternoon looking at trees, and finally deciding on the right one.
Patty always wants them "Big & Tall", Tom always wants them "Nice & Full".
We always compromise & enjoy a picnic & a nice day out in the woods. And also collect some Yaupon Holly to make a wreath.
I'm looking forward to it. Patty I remember when the kids were young, they used to collect mistletoe and Holly berries. They used to sell them door to door in the neighborhood. Sadly, you just can't find it around here anymore.
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idearthmover
off to a rocking start
Member since February 2022
Posts: 20
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Post by idearthmover on Nov 29, 2022 7:45:54 GMT -5
Don't do Christmas trees. Have enough pine trees in the yard now. Most are too big to put lights on. Don't get into the holiday thing anymore. It all looks pretty but the putting up and taking down has become too much work. I hate the storing of all of it. Not a Grinch. No family or kids so don't see the need.
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 29, 2022 7:48:13 GMT -5
Don't do Christmas trees. Have enough pine trees in the yard now. Most are too big to put lights on. Don't get into the holiday thing anymore. It all looks pretty but the putting up and taking down has become too much work. I hate the storing of all of it. Not a Grinch. No family or kids so don't see the need. Yeah, we don't put up lights and stuff anymore, either. When my granddaughter comes home from college, she might put up the tree. She really enjoys doing it.
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Post by fernwood on Nov 29, 2022 7:50:19 GMT -5
My daughter tied their tree to whatever she could this year. It is their first ever, Christmas tree. She usually hung garland on the wall in the shape of a tree and decorated that. Yes, it is all due to cats.
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Post by liveoak on Nov 29, 2022 7:52:58 GMT -5
I remember when the kids were young, they used to collect mistletoe and Holly berries. They used to sell them door to door in the neighborhood. Sadly, you just can't find it around here anymore. I guess they must have picked them all . Truthfully, I'm sure it's just more development.
But this is a nice Christmas tree thread, so lets not get depressed !
One thing we tried last year with the Yaupon holly leaves.
We read that you can make tea with them.
So we picked a whole lot on our Christmas tree hunting day &
I dried them in my dehydrator & you know, it made a pretty tasteless tea- But it was fun to try.
Patty
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Post by mohs on Nov 29, 2022 10:17:48 GMT -5
Hi Tela @rockjunqie I can't go to the polls because none of my Christmas Tree stories are short- besides all them being Charlie Brown rocking trees That picture was taken Christmas Day 2011
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Post by liveoak on Nov 29, 2022 10:26:16 GMT -5
besides all them being Charlie Brown rocking trees I love your Charlie Brown heart rocking cab tree mohs ! Well done Patty
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 29, 2022 10:59:02 GMT -5
Hi Tela @rockjunqie I can't go to the polls because none of my Christmas Tree stories are short- besides all them being Charlie Brown rocking trees That picture was taken Christmas Day 2011 Awww.... I love your little tree.
Tell a long story, Ed.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Nov 29, 2022 11:00:11 GMT -5
Don't do Christmas trees. Have enough pine trees in the yard now. Most are too big to put lights on. Don't get into the holiday thing anymore. It all looks pretty but the putting up and taking down has become too much work. I hate the storing of all of it. Not a Grinch. No family or kids so don't see the need. You are not alone. My DH and I (no children) don't do Christmas, Christmas trees, or decorating. The holiday celebrated today no longer has anything to do with Christmas. My family always celebrated it, presents, all that. As a child my entire family would get in the car and go to Balboa Park in downtown San Diego for "Christmas on the Prado." There were lights, displays, live reindeer, caroling, a creche nativity with real people and live barn animals, don't remember what all else. Lots to see and do, lots of people, always very crowded. Then they could no longer use the "C" word (no, not that one, lol). It became "Winter Nights," or some such nonsense. They took Christ out of Christmas! Wokeness is not something new, it started many years ago.
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Post by mohs on Nov 29, 2022 11:16:09 GMT -5
besides all them being Charlie Brown rocking trees I love your Charlie Brown heart rocking cab tree mohs ! Well done Patty
mostly Hi Patty I appreciate that and this Galapohs also wanted to say 'hi' to ya m stly
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Post by liveoak on Nov 29, 2022 11:20:20 GMT -5
and this Galapohs also wanted to say 'hi' What a great shot mohs ! I saved him on my screen saver slide show, he's a wonderful addition- thank you
Patty
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 29, 2022 11:24:33 GMT -5
Other. We really don't have room and aren't entertaining, so I plan to do something with our Joshua tree and battery powered lights.
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Post by Pat on Nov 29, 2022 13:16:20 GMT -5
Thanks for this thread.
As a kid, we always had a tree and decorated it. Aluminum tinsel was pretty, and we frequently made ornaments.
When our four little kids were very young, we taught them how to treat a tree, and put the delicate ornaments higher up. I love the aroma. We tried cutting our own tree, but liked the trees in the lots better.
Several years ago, we switched to an artificial tree. It looks real. Lights already entwined. Some of the kids come and decorate it, while we sit back and enjoy the whole show. They bring dinner. We supply dessert. They get boughs from the local tree lot, so we can have the wonderful smell.
We went from stringing the bigger Christmas lights all the way across the front of the house, to small battery operated lights around the front door. Looks good. Some neighbors already have lights up.
Decorations are in the family room and kitchen table. Like rocks, I don’t want them everywhere.
Husband and son say decorating is a woman thing, but enjoy it, too. I’m glad! Cat bats a few that are lower; again the more delicate ornaments are up higher. Cat likes sleeping under the tree. Understandable.
Merry Christmas!🎄
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 29, 2022 13:23:50 GMT -5
Thanks for this thread. As a kid, we always had a tree and decorated it. Aluminum tinsel was pretty, and we frequently made ornaments. When our four little kids were very young, we taught them how to treat a tree, and put the delicate ornaments higher up. I love the aroma. We tried cutting our own tree, but liked the trees in the lots better. Several years ago, we switched to an artificial tree. It looks real. Lights already entwined. Some of the kids come and decorate it, while we sit back and enjoy the whole show. They bring dinner. We supply dessert. They get boughs from the local tree lot, so we can have the wonderful smell. We went from stringing the bigger Christmas lights all the way across the front of the house, to small battery operated lights around the front door. Looks good. Some neighbors already have lights up. Decorations are in the family room and kitchen table. Like rocks, I don’t want them everywhere. Husband and son say decorating is a woman thing, but enjoy it, too. I’m glad! Cat bats a few that are lower; again the more delicate ornaments are up higher. Cat likes sleeping under the tree. Understandable. Merry Christmas!🎄 I remember the days of cats and crawling kids picking off the lower ornaments. I never got mad, though. I just seemed natural. Of course, the pretty glass stuff went higher.
I still have some glass ones I made when I was glassblowing. My granddaughter loves the little carousel horses. I'll probably pass them to her one day.
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Post by mohs on Nov 29, 2022 20:46:37 GMT -5
Other. We really don't have room and aren't entertaining, so I plan to do something with our Joshua tree and battery powered lights. Hey Lee That is an excellent idea! It motivated me to pull out my Mom's 10 year old solar light jangle I really dug this gizmo Altho I think its sol is fizzling Like so many other bright lights,,,m stly Don’t have an available Joshua about That would make a good Christmas Tree ! Just a milkweed in this desert ha Couple tries Sorry this isn’t very Christmassay...
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Post by mohs on Nov 29, 2022 20:47:51 GMT -5
So something a bit morhz Christmassy
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