I'm weighing the appeal of not having a tree cut down, and I don't want either a plastic tree (who recycles those?) or a live tree (my landscape needs are for shorter, less thirsty trees).
I have two small kids, and I think they're already fully indoctrinated into the tree sect.
Has anyone else switched to wreaths, or found success with another substitute for a dying tree inside at Christmas?
Cheers.
2007-12-01 02:32:14 · 18 answers · asked by umlando 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
About recycling the plastic tree - it's going to outlive its appeal or usefulness at some point. Then it becomes it becomes kipple (Philip K. Dick's term) - something you should get rid of. And if it's a huge plastic thing, we oughta think about where it ends up and what it does there.
2007-12-01 03:13:59 · update #1
And cut trees do have an impact on the environment. They are treated with pesticides and herbicides, and cut and transported using fossil fuels.
2007-12-01 03:16:09 · update #2
BAH HUM BUG let those little ones have coal in their stockings. Christmas trees are grown just for that, being a Christmas tree. They are producing more oxygen per acre then "normal forest" because of the way their planted and cared for. Their growth rate is almost three times that of a normal tree. Thus your doing something good by using one.
2007-12-01 02:40:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not really sure why you are not wanting a tree cut down. These trees are grown on farms therefore they are not hurting the enviroment in terms of going out into a forest and cutting it down.
Personally I don't see the wreath the same at all as a Christmas tree. If you don't want a tree then just put your gifts in a large santa bag.
The plastic trees are worse because they don't break down. If you opt this direction you could always donate it to a hospital or nursing home when you are finished with it. Or buy a really good one that will stand the test of time.
2007-12-01 02:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by Violet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you get a live tree you could always chip it up after Christmas and use it for landscaping since you don't want to plant it. Or get a plastic tree because you can reuse them year after year. (Which is the point of a plastic tree) No recycling needed.
If you have two small kids they definitely need a tree. Kids get disappointed easy and a tree just makes their eyes light up when they see their Christmas presents under it on Christmas. Switching to a wreath (sorry to put it this way)
Seems to be so BAH HUMBUG. Merry Christmas
2007-12-01 02:39:51 · answer #3 · answered by smile4u 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I say go for the cut tree, your kids will always remember the Christmas trees but they won't spend years reminscing about the wreaths they used to have for Christmas.(oh, they might laugh about the year Dad lost his mind and put the presents under a wreath, lol) And that tree is recylclable. Besides, they are not trees cut from the wild, they are farmed like any other commodity, and a renewable resource that really can be recycled and is useful for all of its life and into death. And yeah, that artificial tree is not recyclable, sooner or later it is going to wind up in a landfill when it no longer looks good or you just decide to get rid of it and get a new one.
2007-12-01 02:53:08 · answer #4 · answered by Isadora 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You don't recycle a plastic tree, you save it for the following years. My parents tried to switch to a wreath one year and let me just tell you, it didn't go very well. They had 3 young children hysterical that there wouldn't be a tree for santa to put presents under.
2007-12-01 02:37:11 · answer #5 · answered by lilhappyflower 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It seems that you are against the idea of a fake tree but with them you can reuse them year after year. Your kids are really small.....it will be a disappointment to them to not follow in the tradition of xmas. A wreathe still wastes resources...maybe less but still does.
Weigh your options. Thank you for being so concerned about the environment but seriously consider the disappointment of your children as well.
2007-12-01 02:37:04 · answer #6 · answered by Meme Care 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could buy a larger Norfolk Pine and keep it potted as a plant. Norfolks grow slowly and make great indoor plants.
The problem with digging a live tree is that it really messes them up when you take them from a cold envirorment, to a warm envirorment (and then the lights will dry them out from the heat) and then sticking them back out in the cold. The idea is novel, but in reality it just doesn't work well.
2007-12-01 02:38:42 · answer #7 · answered by Mkath 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, they are just kids who think that if it's Christmas, you need a tree. Let them be kids and have their Christmas tree. Put your opinions aside,"tree sect", come on? They're kids,lighten up, and get them a tree. When they are older, explain to them how you feel about it, until then, let them enjoy the season.
2007-12-01 02:43:20 · answer #8 · answered by just me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We still use a real tree - but we be sure to take it some place that recycles it when we are ready to take it down. (such as organizations that use them for fish habitats) But depending on what age your kids are - maybe you could come up with a compromise with them. Use a large wreath, or maybe another live planted tree or shrub, and use the money you would have earmarked for a Christmas tree to support worthwhile charity, or purchase "angel tree" presents for the underprivileged.
2007-12-01 02:37:06 · answer #9 · answered by Kari H 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I would still suggest using a tree.
Mainly because of tradition. Blaming your lawn or having to water it doesn't solve the problem.
Taking away the tree from the idea of christmas and trying to replace it with something small and less interesting won't wake up for the less.
Just stick to the tree and don't make excuses. :)
2007-12-01 02:36:18 · answer #10 · answered by sailormoon31698 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋