Another option here and I've done it several times even overseas. Buy a real tree that still has a root ball. Decorate it inside and then take it outside and plant it. That way you cover two things. You have a nice tree to decorate and then you plant it thereby replacing the tree that was taken out. With the kid gone and no grandkids (yet) at our age we bought a very nice aritifical tree. You have to get next to it to tell.

High opinion H3ll, I worship every word that comes from your mouth. Therefore, I will help you out. Please don't kill a tree, buy an artificial tree, which you can use year after year. Yes, I know, artificial trees will burn just like real trees do, but if they don't burn up, then they will last a long time. I , just like you, hate to see a living, breathing, thinking, entity die. Therefore, buy artificial. They are made of a biproduct of petroleum, of which industry I work for. So, therefore, it is a win win situation. Thank you , Twister.

The best bay to buy a Christmas tree is in your own yard. This way you will understand the true meaning of the celebration of winter. It is really good to look for Jesus hiding in the tree that you choose, because He is there, kind of like Andy Griffith if he went south. Because he is always watching out for you.

While I appreciate your high opinion of me, OT, I don't have an answer for this one.

Ask Twister.

For the sake of efficiency, you can't beat a nice artificial tree with the lights already on it!

Re: Why do we need a Christmas tree?... Nobody NEEDS a Christmas tree. It's just part of the sights, smells, fun, and tradition of this holiday. For those who observe Christmas as an expression of their faith, the symbolism goes back hundreds of years and is connected to Jesus Christ. My daughter has a DVD explaining so many of the traditions of Christmas for which we have long forgotten the original significance. It's called "Why Do We Call it Christmas?" from JellyTelly's Buck Denver series. If you can get past watching puppets, the info is actually pretty fascinating. Here's a clip... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6J0FJY0PQg

so remind me again.. why do we need a Christmas tree? what does it represent?