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?