I was originally very sad when I found out the reason I was sick every Christmas was because I was allergic to most evergreens. I found that once I started using the imitation tree and greenery I really liked it. It is far more malleable than the real evergreens and it doesn't drop needles everywhere. It also is less of a fire hazard if you are like me and want it up for a long time. Some of it looks so much like the real thing that you have a hard time telling the difference. I don't think I would go back to the natural now even if I could!

Jesus would likely not care weather we were decorating with a combination of all real or faux as long as he knows we are thinking of Him.

It really is about remembering what Christ Mass is for. We try to make things pretty around our homes for us. I wonder if in the future, folk will wonder why it was called that. Coca Cola devised our current 'Santa' look in only a few decades.

Even the original Santa Claus (St. Nicholas) was admittedly a bit stern, yet,..............................?.........................was it for a reason?
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My prayer would be for Christmas not to become in the future;...."How do we look, and thats what holiday we are supposed to travel and get together and spend money giving gifts to each other because that's what its always been about!!! Thats tradition!

I hope Jesus never fades from the tradition. I love faux or live holiday decoration, as long as Jesus is in the picture in our hearts at some point during our festivities.

I am not being a downer intentionally or for any reason on this subject, and wish all of those who understand what I'm trying to say;...

The Merriest of Christ Mass!

David

We are either Team Faux or Team Ahh-choo and Eyes as Red As Santa's Suit.

I am also one of the ones alergic to Pine: the smell of it makes me ill & if I touch it, break out.

But, the great thing about being in FL, is there is so much else out in the yard to decorate!!!!!!

David - I agre....................it is NOT the decorations that matter but the reason behind those decorations. What we are really celebrating is a life that lives on !!!!!

DavidofDeLand said:Jesus would likely not care weather we were decorating with a combination of all real or faux as long as he knows we are thinking of Him.

It really is about remembering what Christ Mass is for. We try to make things pretty around our homes for us. I wonder if in the future, folk will wonder why it was called that.

The Merriest of Christ Mass!

David

The decor doesn't matter. What matters is us!
A Very Merry CHRIST-mas To All.
http://garden.org/blogs/entry/...

I used to love buying a real tree, and a wreath of real greens. The scents of the greenery really get me in the spirit. When the kids were small we even used to walk over to the local Boy Scouts tree lot, pick out our tree then carry it home through the snow (if there was any, we were in Utah so it was rather hit or miss).

Now, we only have family here every second year, and we have a really nice faux tree, and a faux wreath for the door. I use scented candles to give us the evergreen smell. We decorate with all the old ornaments that we had when the kids were small, and the nostalgia is just the same.

I hate the waste of having a tree cut down for a temporary decoration, then sending it to be composted after New Years. Not to mention all the energy to grow the trees, and ship them all over the country on trucks . . . it's all about conservation of resources for me.

David, absolutely with you on the whole raison 'etre of Christmas. It so often gets lost in all the fuss, hype and gluttony.

I can empathize with the Team Faux who are allergic to pine. Allergies are nasty whatever triggers them. But I have to remind those who comment that cutting down a tree for a temporary decoration is not eco-sensitive. This is true if you march out into the woods and chop down a tree and never replace it, that's a problem. BUT most trees are part of a Christmas tree industry so in a sense they are exactly like a local farmer only even more seasonal. Supporting your local farmer is a good thing! Often, as in our community, the volunteer fire departments go to the farms, cut the trees and then sell them at the fire station as a fundraiser. This prevents cutting excess and unused trees while supporting the volunteer firefighters.