In A Down Economy Does The Real Life Christmas Tree Still Thrive Or Does The Fake One Come Out Of The Basement?
After my parents got divorced, my mom, my sister and myself started the tradition of buying our family Christmas tree on Christmas eve. I quickly realized that we started this tradition because folks were practically giving away Xmas trees at that time and my mom was struggling as a single parent raising two kids. Don't get me wrong, it was an awesome tradition, one time we got this gigantic tree for ten bucks!
Now that my sister and I are grown folks, my mama, who could get arrested for impersonating Martha Stewart, busts out the fake Xmas trees with quickness starting December 1st. That's right I said trees...she has three...of varying sizes and shapes! All decorated with a different theme that matches the room the tree is placed in. Not mention, the Christmas lights, the snowman, the reindeer, the Christmas wreath, the ribbons, etc...... All this and more topped off with the Nat King Cole Christmas CD.
I'm not complaining. Broke as hell, Christmas is always a rich experience at my mom's house. Ain't gonna be a lot of gifts, but an awful lot of good food and good times. Yet, our Christmas comes from a long standing collection of doodads and bobbles, so I wonder for budget-minded and financially strapped families that don't have all this Xmas stuff hidden in their attic or garage, does the hunt for the live Christmas tree bite the dust? Has the era of dropping $40 bucks and up on a live Xmas tree gone the way of Christmas past?
P.S. - The above photo is of my own fake Xmas tree currently on display in my loft. A Charlie Brown Christmas tree from Walgreens - $9.99. It's awesome baby!
