I take issue with what is probably THE most treasured holiday custom of the year. And I feel awful about that. Because a beautifully decorated Christmas tree does hold magic. BUT….
I just can’t make peace with it. There are numerous articles out there discussing the pros and cons of real vs. artificial trees and which is better, but my choice continues to be -Neither.
In short, artificial trees are made with plastics, sometimes lead. They are usually imported from China, which is a huge environmental footprint if you live elsewhere. They emit toxins while being manufactured and in your home. Even if you do reuse them for many years, their eventual landing space (and, yes, even those artificial leaves shed each year) is a landfill… Nope. Can’t do it.
Real trees, grown locally and –this is the really important part–recycled when they’re done, are supposedly the better of the two choices. But, first off, as a tree lover, I just cannot make peace with cutting down a tree. Ever. Even if it’s grown for the purpose of killing. I can’t do it, the same way vegetarians can’t eat meat. Often times, wildlife do start making homes in these “temporary” trees, so that sucks. And pesticides are often used in the process… So, another ‘No’ from me.
And I totally get that there are bigger, other things with environmental impact. I’m far from perfect, and I know I have many of these things in my life. But, like I said, for some reason the Christmas tree is a sticking point for me. So, this leaves me with “alternative” trees. I’ve pinned a bunch of ideas for these on my Pinterest page. But there are waaaay more than these ones out there. These are just some of my favs. I also really love the idea of potted, tabletop trees that can be planted after the holidays. Living in rentals doesn’t usually allow for this though.
Several years ago, after years of decorating our wall with fabric or ribbon trees, I asked my husband to make a tree from an old pallet. I painted it with some eco-friendly milk paint, which isn’t as bright and vibrant, but gives a bit of a rustic look that I like. Anyway, we hang our lights (that’s a whole other post) and ornaments here. At least once a year I wonder if we should just give in and get a “real” tree. I research it and think about it all over again, and I just can’t bring myself to do it.
Yes, I miss the trees I grew up with during Christmas time, but there’s also something said for new traditions and for the creativity and togetherness involved in making our own kind of tree. Besides, if I could give my kids a truly big gift for Christmas, it would be the chance at a more sustainable world for their future. So, cheeseball as it sounds, there it is. This is the tree that gives me “hope and strength throughout the year.”