Christmas tree traditions

We buy a live, potted pine for our Christmas tree. We started this tradition the first year we were married — 1977. Once Christmas is over we move the tree outside, still in its pot for the rest of the year and continue to water it. When December rolls around we haul it in again — a larger than last year tree, but still healthy and green. We used the same tree for Christmas for many years and then finally, we’d plant it in the yard.  And buy a new potted pine tree for a new Christmas season. Somehow, it became a tradition. We have pine trees planted in all the places we once called home.

One year we were low on cash and had to dig up the previous year’s tree that we had planted in our garden. But I think the kids liked that.  Another year, our Jewish friends surprised us with a live potted pine — they drove up in their big van (they have 7 kids) and rang the bell — “surprise, we have a tree for you!”

When my kids were young they didn’t know the difference between our “smallish” living Christmas tree and those big ones at the corner lot — not until they were older, when our oldest son, in his teens, well aware of the pride of a big tall tree, talked us into buying one of those cut-down, dying, giant ones. I went along with his wishes, just so he could see the difference.

I like growing things. This way, I don’t cut down a ten year old tree, dispose of it; or buy a manufactured fake tree, which will eventually find it’s way to the dump. If I move, I plant it and I’m glad I won’t have to pack a fold-n-go fake tree in a box. It works for me.

Two years ago we bought a small  Noble Pine and kept it outdoors in a pot after Christmas. This year, it’s in the house again. It’s a different variety than the ones we had in Southern California, and seems to grow slower.