Artificial for those areas where there is concern about fire,

then fresh for arrangements and to give the fragrance that

says ... It is Christmas Time.

My preference is fresh but my wife loved to start decorating the day after Thanksgiving and leave things up until after New Years so artificial lasted better. Now I do just a little decorating.....two fresh containers on the porch and two Nativities on the kitchen mantle. My son and daughter would put up the tree but then it would have to be taken down so I ride around at night and enjoy everyone elses trees and lights. Things change..........

I'm on this team, a little of both. We put up an artificial tree now for convenience, but still enjoy something fresh for that wonderful evergreen scent in the house.
I will do some kind of arrangement with boughs cut from our fir tree out back.

On team both. I am using a Norfolk pine as my tree, and will use it in the yard when it gets warm.
I like real poinsettias, but use some artificial too.

CDsSister said:

Artificial for those areas where there is concern about fire,

then fresh for arrangements and to give the fragrance that

says ... It is Christmas Time.

I'm on team both. I like having my tree up right after Thanksgiving and usually take it down in January after the three king's come

So I have had the same artificial tree for 22 yrs now "Wilber" I also have live greens in my kitchen and through out the house. This year I even

put live on my fence and porch outside. We have live wreaths on all the outside doors and my truck grill

Beautiful tree, Shannon.

Thanks..I Love Christmas

I love Christmas, too.

Paul2032 said:My preference is fresh but my wife loved to start decorating the day after Thanksgiving and leave things up until after New Years so artificial lasted better. Now I do just a little decorating.....two fresh containers on the porch and two Nativities on the kitchen mantle. My son and daughter would put up the tree but then it would have to be taken down so I ride around at night and enjoy everyone elses trees and lights. Things change..........

They do indeed, Paul

That's the thing about traditions- it's like glue for your memories. Even without your lovely bride, you have those precious memories of the traditions the two of you built with your family.

The first year we had an artificial tree, my MIL came into the house, glimpsed the tree, took a deep breath and declared, "how she loved the scent of a fresh tree!" The power of suggestion maybe???? We hadn't sprayed it with that artificial "fragrance," either!

Thanks Trish......I know this is off topic but here I go...some of my Christmas Treasures
Some of Kathy's Nativities

This one is made of olive wood. My Mother-in Law brought it from Israel. Note my camera reflected in the corner.
One of Kathy's quilts.

'Flight Into Egypt'. This belonged to one of my great Grand-Mothers. It must be 100 + years old. Trees are modern.

These are indeed treasures. Just beautiful!

Paul, those are absolutely beautiful

Thank you for sharing them with us

Very lovely. What special keepsakes those are!

Slow time of year for plants so here is more Christmas from 2010
Bradie .....my Grand-Daughter
The tree 2010
Ready for Christmas Breakfast

The kitchen mantle
...My dear Mother made the Christmas stockings and about 50 others for extended family








The tree top
Santa