Tradition!

Christmas starts the day after Thanksgiving at our house. For the past few years, we have headed to Savannah, Mo. to Schweizers Orchard. For $30 you get a hayrack ride to the field and a saw to cut down your tree of choice.

This year we made sure to get a taller tree than before. They always look bigger than they actually are when you get them home. But our judgement about a tree's size comes with a reminder that a few years ago we had to trim almost two feet off of our in-law's tree.

We thought about how our kids viewed the first appearance of a tree in our house and wondered when peope decided to bring a tree inside to celebrate the holidays. I found a web site that gave a bit of insight into the reason we use a fir tree. There is also more interesting information on this site. http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html.

Traditions: Christmas Trees and Ornaments
The fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time.

The most important thing we have learned about fresh trees is to cut off 1/2" before placing in the stand... and be sure to water often. There are more suggestions on the National Christmas Tree Assocation web site.

Enjoy this holiday tradition with your family... whether you prefer a fresh tree or one from a box (Ha!)