To Tree or Not to Tree, That is the Question.
Of Course there is a story that belongs to this sweet little, lit Christmas tree.
My husband and I decided not to have children. This was not a decision we made lightly. We really thought about it.
Our decision was the single biggest contribution that we felt that we could make towards the preservation of the earth and the protection of the environment at large.
So, while others choose to drive huge fuel guzzling SUVs, like Hummers, and leave every light in every room of their house illuminated... even though they're only able to be in one room at a time, we think about the impact of our actions and make decisions accordingly.
Please don't mistake my words as self-righteous judgement casting. These are simply behavioral decisions that we made because it felt right to us. Our vehicle is the little Smart car, parked neatly in a parking space with loads of room to spare. It's a diesel and gets 60 mpg (US mpg) . It generally cost us $18 (Canadian dollars) to fill the tank and that let's us travel 300 miles on a single tank.
For comparison, the Hummer is parked outside the lines of a parking space and is taking up the entire spot. I don't want to even guess how much it costs to fill up the tank of that monster.
Our other "rides" are fold-up pedal bikes and believe it or not, we can get a matching pair of these in the rear storage compartment of our Smart car.
One day, while we were out running errands in the middle of July, we stopped at a yard-sale. Among other things that the people hosting the yard-sale had for sale was Christmas decorations.
Knowing that their sale was "off season" for the decorations they had on offer, this little tree was priced at $5.
It's ceramic and is done in the style of Blue Mountain Pottery. This is a famous Ontario company that started in 1947 and sadly went out of business in 2004.
Inside the tree is a single bulb. When it's turned on, it makes all the little lights on the tree glow.
The first year that my husband and I were married, we went to a Christmas tree farm, selected our own tree, cut it down and took it back to our home to decorate. We had to buy a tree stand and decorations, so the tree wasn't packed with ornaments because we were just starting out and didn't have a huge budget to splurge with.
Once we had the tree decorated, we stood there looking at it and then we turned to each other and said "Now What?".
Two weeks later, we packed the decorations and stand away and the whole tree was discarded. The wood in it wasn't even burnt because we didn't have a wood-stove or fireplace at that time.
It seemed like such a waste of resources and energy. We never purchased a real tree again and it made even less sense once we made our final decision not to have children.
18 months ago, we "right sized" our living accommodations and purchased a tiny 850 square foot home.
This is the first year that our little 1970's pottery inspired tree will be displayed in the middle of our dining table. It takes this honourable place in our home because it's the only space we really have that displays it nicely.
I need to thank @cynetyc for inspiring me to unpack it, dust it off and share it all with you as my entry in his "fabulous Christmas tree contest".
If you haven't seen his blog post about it, you can view it here:
This is the last day to participate in his contest. I do hope you will participate and show him some love by taking a picture of your own decorated trees.
I welcome your comments and I invite you to follow me on my journey.
~Rebecca Ryan
The book of YermeYahu (Jeremiah) 10:1-8 also tells followers of God of the bible not to have a tree ;)
Hear what the Lord says to you, people of Israel. 2 This is what the Lord says:
“Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the heavens,
though the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the practices of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.
5 Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field,
their idols cannot speak;
they must be carried
because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them;
they can do no harm
nor can they do any good.”
Thank you for taking the time to comment and share @tee-em.
That's great @tee-em, but what are YOUR thoughts on Christmas Trees?
I believe they are part of a pagan ritual that is used to celebrate the solstice and has nothing to do with goodwill, Christ or any other belief I hold, so we don't have one
However if someone has one and they like the way it looks, no beef here.
You are right. The Christmas tree as we call it today, did originate with the Pagans, but it was also part of the Druids and Wiccans celebration (not ritual). Along with Yule log, mistletoe and Holly wreaths. When Christianity was spreading though-out Europe, it was common place for the Christians to take on some of the local beliefs. This made the conversion to Christianity more appealing to the locals.
You'd like the book, Fossilized Customs by Lew White
Thanks.
6 minutes left but entry is accepted ! (both)
PS: I respect your life decisions that shows in my eyes strenght and character, you should live the life that you desire and not the life that other impoze to you. If you bring a child into this cruel world and you are not ready to love him/her then that child will have a cursed life and here im writing from my life experience ...I was the child...
Exactly. I am sorry to learn this about your childhood. :(
Now, you can choose a different way. If anything good can come out of it, you have learned what you don't prefer and can choose do the exact opposite.
An adorable tree!
Thank you @opheliafu!
That little xmas tree made of ceramic has a special place in my heart. My dad's side grandma had the exact same one. Wish I had it now.
Merry Christmas @rebeccaryan
Thanks for taking a minute to comment @solarguy!
My own grandparents had one too! This tree is not exactly the same as theirs but it's close and reminds me of them.
If I ever come across another one, I will buy it for you and ship it to you.
It's a thing, you either love 70's kitsch or you don't. To me, all 2.5 feet of it, reminds me of my childhood. ;)
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Thanks!