Daily Chatter: 11/28/12

We are of the rare breed of people who still purchase a real Christmas tree.  And we buy really big Christmas trees – I think the record was 14 feet, but for the past five years or so, it’s always been 12 feet or more.  (It probably goes without saying that Jeremy is the driving force behind the huge tree.)

We used to go to the Merry Christmas Tree Farm, but it seems that they are running a very slow “going out of business” sale because they haven’t planted new trees in quite a few years and what’s left is very picked over.  It’s cheap – $30 a tree – but the last time we went was 2010 and we had a really hard time finding a decent tree.  (The best year was when the tree we got had pinecones on it.  Awesome!)

Last year, we got a beautiful tree from Harding Nursery – it was already cut, but grown in Colorado and it “behaved” just like the ones we cut ourselves: no dropping needles, and very little watering needed after the first week.  It was the most beautiful tree we’d ever had, but it was also expensive: over $100.

This year, I wanted to save money and get a cheaper tree.  It took much begging and pleading to convince Jeremy to get a “small” tree, and I had to promise to never ever suggest getting a smaller tree again.  (I hope all of our future Christmas budgets are large. ;)

So, here is our “small” tree:

Our “small” tree is still ten feet tall.  We got it at Whole Foods for $50 and I’m hoping that their Christmas trees are as high-quality as everything else they sell.  (PS – in addition to being an amazing realtor, my husband is also crazy-handy – he built those shelves!  Unfortunately, he is only available for hire as a realtor, though, not as a carpenter. ;)

And yes, you’ll notice that the ornaments all coordinate – one thing Jeremy and I have never even had to discuss is that we want our tree to, uh, look good.  Not that your unmatching tree ornaments don’t look good.  It would just drive both of us crazy to sit on the couch and look at a tree with uncoordinated ornaments. ;)

Of course, the kids make ornaments in Sunday school and get them as gifts, so last year I bought a fake tree for 80% off at Hobby Lobby and we now have a kid tree that they decorate:

How about you?  Are you a real tree or fake tree household?  Big or small?  Do your ornaments match or is it a mish mash?  Do you let your kids decorate or is it adults-only?