Thursday, December 9, 2010

An Alternative Tree

Inspired by some ideas in Bill McKibben’s book “Hundred Dollar Holiday,” we’re trying to scale back a little bit this year.  Much to the dismay of my kids, we started with the tree.  This meant breaking our regular tradition of cutting it down at a Christmas tree farm up in Warwick – a family event that usually ended up being an exhausting full day outing.  At first I tried to interest them in assembling some decorated branches – like these that I saw in Restoration Hardware.  I thought they were beautiful, but the kids were less than impressed. 

I thought about buying a small living tree, but they’re not inexpensive, I found.  Then one day when I was chasing chickens around in the backyard, trying to figure out why they don't have the sense to go back in their coop when a freezing wind is blowing, I saw this cedar and figured it was just about the right size - and price.   The S. man put on his red plaid.  

It’s not perfectly shaped.  I'd go as far as to call it Charlie Browny.
  

We do have a beautiful angel for the top to distract from the spindlyness.

Once the lights and ornaments are on it, it’s almost ready to pass for store-bought.  If you squint a little.  In the dark.

See also:
Christmas Tree Rejects

14 comments:

Veggie PAK said...

Yay! for you! I like it. Why do people think there is a perfect tree in nature? A perfect tree is one that has not been modified by man's pruning, etc. I think the way you did it certainly makes it more homey and family-oriented. You did a great job!

tina said...

It is beautiful!

TALON said...

The spirit of the season is shining in your tree, JGH!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

love all these types of trees.
thanks for lightening up our spirits.
Happy Friday!

Hook Mountain Growers said...

Every tree is beautiful and your story makes it even more true.

Malay-Kadazan girl said...

A perfect tree. You always amaze me with your creativity and good ideas.

Carol said...

Your tree has a lot of wabi! I love it and your angle is beautiful! I have been finding little trees like this on the land too, only I get it on Christmas Eve. You can start a new tradition. We all need to do our part to help create change. ;>)

Pam J. said...

Very, very nice! The angel is so beautiful too.

LazyMom said...

I think it is beautiful too.

Carlo H. said...

nice tree mom

JGH said...

Thank you, guys. I'm not quite there with the kids yet -- my daughter said this morning that she was too embarassed to invite any of her friends over with our tree looking like that. Maybe another string of lights....

Patti Lacy said...

OOOOH, I LOVE it! But our living tree sags with decades-old ornaments. The daughter would REALLY be embarrassed.

Hey, you know what? She'll live :)

Blessings, dear one.
Patti

Buy Wow Accounts said...

WoW! that was so amazing.. =)

k said...

Your angel looks like Glinda. I think that's very appropriate in a Christmas angel.

I bet your tree smells wonderful.