I don't want a christmas tree this year

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I gave up one year and bought a huge wreath that I could decorate with my special ornaments. The pets left it alone and I could still have the Christmasy smell and could still enjoy my favorite ornaments (all with happy memories). It was a great compromise.

I do put the tree up now, but only because I host a slew of Christmas parties and the family Christmas on the 25th. This year ought to be interesting as I have added two more cats to the indoor mix and they are both former tree climbers. ACK!

I say do whatever makes you happiest!

 

[Goose and Fig]

We have 2 Norfolk pines that I bring inside once it gets cold. I keep them in the pots, and come spring, they go back into 2 holes in front of my layer coop. Norfolk pine are pretty hard to decorate, so we just put wood beads on them. Real simple, and something to put presents around. I like having something green inside- since everything around us is "winter brown" .

Someone else mentioned- Lowe's always has the little (2 diff sizes) rosemary topiary trees. They smell great! And if you accidentally kill them, they make lovely kindling

 

[NancyDz]

Okay this one is what my Mom's looks like...


http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=5044&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=5044

 

[TipsyDog]

Gritsar: One word for you - DUMPSTER

I think everyone should get a dumpster once every 2 years and clear out the "stuff". We went from a 6 bedroom, 3 story victorian filled with every antique and knick knack imaginable to a small ranch home. It took me 5 years but I got rid of all of it. Sold alot, gave it away, whatever. By the 6th year I still had boxes of stuff packed in the basement. I got a dumpster and I've never felt so free in my life!!! No more clutter and junk. I have so much room now and I've discovered I'm not a slave to all that stuff. I must have spent a 3 years of my life cleaning and dusting all that junk!

I still don't put up a Christmas Tree though. No kids in the house anymore and the woodstove is in the way. As soon as a grandchild comes along I'll have Christmas ready to go again!

Merry Christmas!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

This is my Christmas tree!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=12080817

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
A dumpster would be a dream come true for me!

As it is I'm a rubbermaid tote-aholic. If I can put it in a tote and store it out in the storm shelter I do. DH is slowly working on his packratedness and I'm getting good at pretending I live in a neat, orderly house.
He gets bonus points for finally taking down some of the masonic plates that have been hanging in the kitchen for 30+ years.

Workign on my strategy for not having a tree.

 

[sundance]

we haven't put up a tree in years
1 No room
2 even when we had the room why put up a tree for 2 people
3 to much work to clean up after all the needles falling off
4 gave all decorations away so I can say I don't have anything to put on it.

5 FEELS GREAT marrie

 

[chickens4me]

Quote:
Diogenes was an ancient philospher whose only possession was a bowl which he carried around with him. (A true minimalist.) One day his bowl accidentally dropped & broke. He shouted, "I'm FREE!"

I think I will take some of Digenes' & TipsyDog's advice myself. Sounds like a good "freeing" idea!

I think the "Wall Tree" and the decorated wreath mentioned here is a great idea though...if you feel like doing so! Maybe you could just donate it after the holidays so you don't have to store it?

 

[wombat]

When I had my cat DC (her name stood for demon child, NOT what everyone thought it stood for)

I'm such a geek. When I first saw this, all I could think of was "what .. Direct Current?" Took me a while to figure it out ... but then I used to be blonde.

I'm gonna have a tree, of course! Good old pagan tradition, bring in some greenery for the solstice and all that.

You're sounding like my mother ... always talking about clutter. When we kids were still at home, it was the kids' fault. We've been gone for years, so now it's my Dad's fault ... this is the same woman I've mentioned before who buys loads of cheap plastic crap for *my* kids at the Dollar Store and sends us big plastic totes filled with "gifts" for her grandchildren ... I'm up to my

in plastic doodads from China, cheap crayons (we have about 10,000 crayons now), and closing in on 1,000 children's books.
Christmas will bring another tote. I've asked her to consider getting them one thing they'll cherish forever, but Kmart doesn't sell that.

 

[vfem]

For real, start clearing some stuff out... period! Tell him to keep one item from each person her valued and to GIVE the rest or sell the rest to someone in need. You guys are obviously not in need, and these items are not memories or attachments for you, they are a form of stress!

Declutter and offer him the option that when 3/4 of the STUFF is cleared out you will allow for a christmas tree this one time. May be worth it if you are less stressed come the holiday.