Well. Okay. I have had a REAL Christmas tree before, but not on my own. This year, because I thought I would do something special and a little bit different, I got a REAL, fresh cut Christmas tree. I have had an artificial Christmas tree for ever so long, but the one I had most recently, remains in Colorado, while I am here in Arizona.
I went to Tractor Supply today and they had their Christmas trees, Frasier Firs, at the price of $24.99 for a 6 to 8 foot tree! They also had Christmas tree stands on sale. I was going to wait until after the 10th of December, but at those prices? There is also the fact that although they are spraying these cut trees with water several times throughout the day, it won't be long before they are simply dry kindling.
Better to get mine now and get it into water.
I did not take any photos of my setting it up, as much as you would have laughed your pants off at my antics. It is difficult to work a camera when you are engulfed in fir limbs. I am sure I looked like a walking tree. I know my new little kitten, Scooter, saw me carrying the tree and high-tailed it to her favorite chair where I keep my outside vest and hat, to hide!
Being the good little doo-bee that I am, I actually found my bow saw and sawed off a good 6 inches off the bottom of the tree. Because that is what the directions I found on the internet said to do. I also wanted to make sure the tree fit in the house without hitting the ceiling. It would have hit the ceiling, had I not done that!
I remember my Daddy always choosing a tree that was WAY too big for our house and having to cut more off the bottom or the top so we could get it into the house. I guess I must have inherited that from him...
Like all trees at the Christmas tree lots, this one has its' flaws, but I think she is beautiful! (Even if the toppy thingy is a tad crooked!) I was expecting that I would have trouble leveling the tree and would have a leaning tower of Pisa tree, but I guess I must have cut extremely straight, because I plopped that tree in the holder, tightened up those little screwy thingys and TADA!
A STRAIGHT tree!
I mixed the Christmas Tree fresh stuff with water and watered the tree. Actually I over watered it and water started coming out the bottom holes where the screw holders are. Who knew? I never even thought about it. I haven't gotten any water on the carpet yet, but I have mopped up the excess several times, in the extra well they built in this tree stand for just such an occasion. Smart tree stand builders!
Daddy always said that you should let the tree 'settle and fall into place' for a day or two, as did the internet directions. And so I shall do that. With one exception.
My Christmas Star arrived today! Yayness! I was a tad disappointed because two of the crystals were broken! Of course one could glue them back into place if one had any crazy glue on hand, but alas! All I have is a hot glue gun. (It didn't work well.) So when I come home from work, I will stop at the mart and grab some crazy glue. But even though it was broken, I still put it on the tree because I was SO excited!
The two broken crystals are on the either side, but with all the shards, you can hardly tell! I am still crazy gluing them though.
I had to plug it in and found that all I have on hand are white extension cords...one more thing to get from the mart tomorrow ! GREEN extension cords! But WOW! I am in love with my Christmas Star!
I cannot wait until the rest of my ornaments arrive and I can decorate my REAL, fresh cut Christmas tree! I am still awaiting 3 boxes of ornaments from EBay. I hope they arrive soon, but even if they do, I shall wait for the weekend. I have to decide on ribbon or garland yet, and string the lights on the tree before decorating begins.
I have missed decorating for Christmas in big time fashion this past 2 years. I had forgotten just how much I enjoy it and what joy it brings my heart to do this! I also had forgotten one other thing about a fresh cut Christmas tree.
The scent!
How ABSOLUTELY heavenly!
Merry Christmas!
Very pretty tree and very pretty star! I love having a fresh tree, though we have an artificial one too. We should have our tree this weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteI am thinking a REAL tree for the living room and smaller artificial trees in every other room in the house. Good thing I have a small house.....
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