Last year we tried a new spot for our Christmas tree and nestled it in the corner between two windows. After a few weeks the retired couple across the street commented, "We noticed you don't have a tree up this year." That's when we discovered that since they don't put up a tree, they've enjoyed ours vicariously the last several years when it was situated in front of the window. This year we put it back where it had been. It's fair and square, I thought, since I've admired the trees in their front yard each year when the snow falls, making them "picture perfect."

The Christmas cleanup is a good time to think about how we "do" Christmas and whether there's anything we'd like to do differently next year. Here are a few topics that I've been mulling over related to Christmas trees.

Real vs. artificial: My sense is that people fall into two distinct camps, the purists and the pragmatists. The purists insist on real trees for the smell, organic vs. synthetic, and the annual tradition of "choosing" the perfect tree. Pragmatists will extol the virtues of easy set-up, less mess, and cost savings over time. A colleague once told me that she'd finally questioned why she kept putting the ornaments on and taking them off her small artificial tree every year. In an "a-ha moment" she had discovered she could store the entire decorated tree in her closet and just pull it out every season, saving herself a lot of trouble. Personally, the experience of finding a tree, setting it up, going through ornaments, and even watering it, is an integral part of the season.

Industry and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The Christmas tree industry is important for both the U.S., Canada and China. The National Christmas Tree Association provides interesting statistics about the trends in tree-buying, the number of tree farms in the U.S. and how many people are employed in the industry. However, their own data doesn't support at least one of their statements, that "Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada." Their charts show Alaska at the bottom ranking, having no Christmas tree farms or trees harvested (in 2002 data).
While I can understand the economic importance of this Christmas tradition, I am also sensitive to how much of a carbon footprint it makes. What if the trees were just planted and left to flourish? Does it seem senseless to cut them down only to ship them all over the place so we can put them up for a few weeks and then dispose of them? Are there pesticides or other chemicals used to produce the 25-30 million real trees sold each year? What about the metals and potential toxins used in the making of artificial trees in China and how it affects factory workers and their environment, not to mention off-gassing in your own home?

Sharing: After my neighbors mentioned our tree last year, I wondered how much of the Christmas tree tradition is about sharing. After all, it's more fun to choose a tree when you have someone else's opinion. And decorating a tree with others, especially children, infuses the house with Christmas spirit. As I drive down the street, I notice how many people choose to put their trees in a window, thereby sharing the beauty of nature and colorful lights with all passersby.

Alternatives: While my neighbors and my family enjoy our tree this year, I will be thinking about alternatives for next year. More homemade ornaments, a potted live tree, or even finding out about organic trees. While there is much about this season that can seem wasteful, I see simplifying traditions as beneficial and more meaningful overall. It may not work for everyone (I try to imagine my colleague stringing cranberries and popcorn for example), but it's a start.

Taking out your "real" Christmas tree or put an artificial one back in storage is an opportune time to think about your family's traditions and how they relate to your values and priorities. Do you have a tradition that you simply cannot let go? Would you like to switch from one option to another, or have ways you make your holiday routines greener or more memorable for your family?

Need a gift for a gardener, or something to foster your child's love of the natural wonders in your own backyard or their appreciation for growing things? Our contributors have dug deep to come up with their top recommendations for the green- and quasi-green thumbed.

Bonsai scissors: These specialized scissors are sharp and make a clean cut, but have oddly-shaped handles that provide a better grip than ordinary scissors. You'll be hooked once you buy a pair "to test out" before giving them to friends. $15-$20 | Buy here

Long-stem thermometer: Thermometers are essential when you’re trying to decide if it’s warm enough to plant outside, or whether your compost is actively working. This useful gift will come in handy year after year for the thankful gardener in your life. $40 | Buy here

Garden journal/planner: Having a central place to store the season's information on dreams and plans, planting and tending habits, and the harvest can make the difference between learning from a year's experience and scratching your head at success or failure. Modofly's custom-etched Moleskines make great garden journals, and the Asparagus design in a grid-formatted Moleskine make the perfect garden planner; its strong elastic closure band can help you store a cutting, a handful of plant labels, or a seed-dibbing pencil and keep this bit of note-taking inspiration at the ready as you work. $36 | Buy here

ThinkSport 350 ml stainless steel bottle: ThinkSport's 350 ml (12 oz.) bottle is the best small stainless steel water or drink bottle we've seen, with double-walled, vacuum-sealed construction that insulates drinks for hours and a two-lid system that offers a smaller drinking spout and a larger opening for filling and cleaning. $18 | Buy here

Fiskars UpRoot Weeder: Every gardener needs one of these: A gadget that allows for safe, organic weeding without getting down on hands and knees. That's right - weed while standing up. It really does work, and it makes weeding dandelions and thistles fun! Well, maybe "therapeutic" is a better word. Easy and safe for the older kids to use as well. $37 | Buy here

Windowsill Bulb Garden: Once the holidays are over, it seems like spring can’t come fast enough. Make a color splash that says “Spring!” with this easy-to-grow bulb kit. Daffodils and hyacinth will bloom in three metal pots, designed to be the perfect size to fit easily on the windowsill. Great for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. $30 | Buy here

Garden in a Bag: These sweet little pouches are perfect for everyone - sitters, teachers, co-workers - and are all-inclusive, except for some water. The bag is pretty and sturdy enough to stand potless, and the green shoots that sprout like magic will keep your recipient smiling for weeks afterward. $7 | Buy here

In the Country game: This HABA game helps teach children about the agricultural sources of various foods, and the process of producing them (growing hay to feed to cows to get milk to make cheese, and so on) through the collaborative collection and production of ingredients to make recipes. High-quality wooden and cardboard pieces and multiple levels of play make this an engaging game for children ages 4 and up. $35 | Buy here

Herb-Savor: While not technically a garden accoutrement, this is one of the more ingenious things we've seen recently. Yes, it's over-the-top expensive for a single-use gadget, but if you're passionate about using fresh herbs in your cooking, and you don't like buying them every other day at $4 a bundle, this will make you happy. $27 | Buy here

Armitage's Native Plants for North American Gardens: Allan Armitage, one of today’s foremost horticulturalists, provides this easy-to-read overview of 650 different native plant species. He includes information on how to grow, care for and propagate plants, as well as historical and etymological insights on plant names. A resource section points readers to nurseries, web sites and other relevant books. Published in 2006, this is Armitage’s latest work, and any gardener would be happy with it in their collection. $33 | Buy here

Multi-Channel Digital Outdoor Thermometer: Oregon Scientific's outdoor thermometer features an indoor reading station that connects with up to three remote sensors (one included) and has a 100-foot range from base to sensors, and can set temperature range limits, program alarms, recall recent highs and lows, and track temperature trends. $28 | Buy here

Kids' Monocle: This 10x zoom monocle (like binoculars, but for one eye) comes with a neoprene pouch with an attached compass and caribiner. A nice gift for an child who loves to explore, offering close-up views of backyard wildlife. $32 | Buy here

Odor-Free Compost Pail: Know someone who loves to compost, but can't quite seem to deal with the messier aspects? This countertop compost pail is lightweight, cleans easily, and has a very closely fitting lid, key for keeping critters such as fruit flies at bay. It's not sexy, but it really helps with what can otherwise be a smelly and less-than-inspiring task. $20 | Buy here

Wireless Rain Gauge: Oregon Scientific's wireless rain gauge has a ten-day rainfall memory and digital clock. The rain collector is self-emptying, the indoor gauge module displays daily and cumulative rainfall data up to nine days, and the unit can monitor total rainfall up to 1000 inches over any time period. The unit offers a 100-foot range; a more expensive version boosts that range to 300 feet. $35 | Buy here

Teaming with Microbes: A Gardener's Guide to the Food Soil Web: Winter is the perfect time for gardeners to start planning how to make the change to organic gardening for next season. This book gives readers an understanding of the importance of soil quality and microbes for creating beautiful lawns and gardens, as well as the ways we've destroyed the food soil connection with conventional herbicides and salt-based fertilizers. It may have a geeky title, but this book is really transformative for beginning and master gardeners! $16 | Buy here

Doll House Vegetable Garden: Made from natural recycled rubber wood, Plan Toys' toy garden includes a wheelbarrow, a watering can, a spade, and four vegetable beds with removable carrots, radishes, turnips and cauliflowers. Add gardening to your child's pretend play to supplement what they're learning outdoors! $19 | Buy here

Notebook Portable Grill: Direct Design's grilling station folds flat to 18x18x1", with a cut-out handle for transport. The waterproof grill weighs eight pounds, has a 192-inch grilling surface, and a stainless steel grate. For design this sleek and functional, you'd expect to pay a lot more. $43 | Buy here

Wildcraft! game: Produced by LearningHerbs, this board game teaches children about 25 edible and medicinal plants in a cooperative format. Highly recommended for children ages 6 and up. $30 | Buy here

Flower press: Selecta's flower press has knobs that are easy for little hands to turn, uses non-toxic paints, and comes from a company with a record of stuff that doesn't break. $25 | Buy here

Tubtrugs: If you had to garden on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, you'd want to have some Tubtrugs. Haul rocks, dirt, divided bulbs, or children. As a bonus, they're made from recycled plastic or polyethylene. $13-$20 | Buy here

Heirloom seeds: Nothing makes an experienced gardener swoon like heirloom seeds - those that have been preserved through the generations and saved by real gardeners, not hybridized within an inch of their lives. These make great stocking stuffers, and they'll be especially appreciated in the dead of winter, when gardeners love to dream about next year's plantings. For real diehards, a membership to the Seed Savers Exchange would be appreciated.

AeroGarden: Perfect for the cook who would love to grow herbs, salad fixings, and even cherry tomatoes right at home. Aeroponic gardening requires no dirt or natural light - and provides fresh food or flowers all year long. If you already know someone with the AeroGarden, you could give the AeroGarden wall shelf, which helps free up counter space. Aerogarden: $170 | Buy here