Putting Up (With) the Christmas Tree

I remember the excitement of decorating the Christmas Tree for the holidays, first as a child, and then as a young wife, and later when our children were growing up. Choosing the tree, putting on the strings of lights, choosing the exact placement of ornaments. It was so much fun.

As the years went by, it became more difficult to find a tree and fit it into or onto the car with the kids along, and it wasn't that much fun without them helping to choose just the right tree, so we resorted to an artificial tree. The ritual of decorating the tree was only slightly diminished.

Our front windows are two floors high, and so we eventually purchased a 12' ft. artificial tree, and that at first seemed like fun. The staircase is next to our annual placement of the tree, and so decorating its higher branches was not too much trouble.

The kids moved out, and we took in pets (five of them). The breadth of the bottom branches became a real nuisance as the tree became a curry comb for the collie, and a source of frantic playfulness for the cats as branches crossed their paths. We replaced the tree with another very tall tree, but of "slender" stature. Because I prefer to change the colors of the light strings from year to year, we choose an unlighted tree. As my age crept on, I discovered that garlands do not have to go around the tree, but can be hung from the top, so that they cascade vertically down the sides of the tree. The need for additional ornaments was a result of "vertical decoration", so they have been eliminated, as long as the treetop ornament is sufficient to cover all of the ends of the garlands.

This year, getting the tree out of storage, into the house, and assembled was a major project. With my husband and I working together, it took several hours just to get the tree standing in the living room. It stood for three days before I found the energy to hang the lights. Then it stood for another two days before I placed the decorations on it. I plan to take it down Christmas Day after the family and grandchildren leave.

We've decided. The tree has to go. Perhaps, after Christmas when they are on sale, we will purchase a six foot pre-lighted tree. For the years we will not have a Christmas celebration with grandchildren at our house, we'll probably elect to not have a Christmas Tree. Maybe we'll get one of those pre-lit, pre-decorated tree that pulls up from the center, although that seems like it could be intense exercise.
Well, smaller tree disposal can't be too difficult. Now, how do I get rid of the old one after Christmas?