Our First Real Christmas Tree
I cannot tell a lie: I chopped down a Christmas tree this year. Yes sir, we packed up the family and headed down to Thornton’s Tree Land to get ourselves a tree, and we succeeded. Here I am hoisting its carcass high overhead and uttering a barbaric yule-tide roar:
This is the first time we’ve done the real tree thing together as a family. Up until now we’ve mostly done the fake tree thing, with an occasional no tree at all. Lisa reminded me that we did have a real tree once as a couple, before we had kids. It was the year that my Mom found a ratty little Charlie Brown Christmas tree in a garbage dumpster somewhere and brought it over as a gift. Shortly after that, our apartment became infested with fleas.
I expect better of this Thornton tree.
The kids really enjoyed the trip to the tree farm, and I guess I did too, even if it did feel a little like the macabre opposite of Arbor day. I patted the tree and tried to console it about its destiny until Lisa told me to stop talking to it. Once we got it home the boys had a blast decking it out with garland and oranments. And it looks good.
If we get any fleas though, that’s it. Fake trees forever after.
14 Comments So Far
4. Trish wrote:
Oh Clint you succumbed to the real tree. I bought a fake tree two years ago after my LAST FIGHT WITH THE STUPID STAND!!! Someday I will be blessed with someone to help me put a real tree in the stand, until then, fake fake fake!!!
5. Maria wrote:
Clint,
That picture is the ultimate christmas card to all! You always manage to give me something to laugh at, ooopsy, I meant laugh WITH! hahahahahahaha! hehehehehehehe! Tooo good there!
Maria
6. prnsis_anita wrote:
Oh Clint, the pain and joy you must of felt all at the same time. Genes Mom and Dad had a Christmas tree farm for the first 8 years we were together so we “murdered” two trees a year. 1 for the toilet paper Snowman and the paper plate Santas the kids always brought home from school and various “talking” Star Trek ornaments that Micheal collects every year. And one for the “grown up” ornaments for the front room. After his parents stopped the Christmas tree farm and we had to pay for those expensive Nobles, I have become a huge fan of our fake trees and Gene loves that they are already lit and he doesn’t have to spend endless hours sitting on the floor wrapped up like a “Mummy” trying to untangle lights and figure out which bulb on the strand of 100 is burnt out. And if you really feel bad about the “killing” of the tree you can alway do what Gene did and use it as outdoor “decoration” until mid-summer :0
7. Isa wrote:
*rofl’s at the whole danged thing*
If you think I didn’t catch that, you’re sadly mistaken!
8. Spencer wrote:
FATALITY!!! Show that tree who’s boss! Come on… everyone knows that people who use fake trees are losers. haha jk
9. Sid wrote:
Clint, that’s certainly a better picture of you than your Kuzoa cartoon image! in my humble opinion.
Merry Christmas.
11. Annimo! RAWR! =^_^= wrote:
Heyo, Clintobean!
Growing up, after we moved to Vancouver, we always went out and got a tree in this fashion.
I have to admit that I *loved* it, and after my mom and I moved out, I really missed having a real tree. I know, totally unpolitically-correct. I just *love* the smell of a fir tree in the house, and I love how bushy they are.
What, you mean the Zimmerman’s don’t have a tree farm? 
Anyway, so I’ve had a change of heart, and have decided that if Sean and I get a real tree, we’ll have it be a tree that has it’s roots and is in a big root pot. That way once the holiday is over, we can plant it in the backyard, or out in some grove somewhere so that we aren’t killing a tree. Cuz yeah, I feel bad cutting down trees now.
It is sad that Sean and I are so transitional here in Philly that we have NOTHING in the house whatsoever that would show that we celebrate Advent and Christmas. No tree, no advent wreath, no nativity scene *sniffles* BUT! He went out and bought me a wreath from Trader Joe’s and we put it on the front door 
Yay! See you in FOUR DAYS! :p
12. Annimo! RAWR! =^_^= wrote:
BTW, the pic is AWESOME. Logan looks confused
Oh how I miss you guys!
13. Maureen Williams wrote:
The funny thing is that you probably payed less for a real tree. Those fake ones are astronomical.
14. kingedward wrote:
I know, I know, I’m so bad reading this, what, 5 months late, but oh well.
I REALLY enjoyed this post, Clint! At least the Flea Tree was pre-kid, eh? heehee
And imagining you talking the tree and Lisa imploring you stop…. very cool- you two are so cute! :c)
Eddy ~~~
1. JohnnyB wrote:
Hehehe, try marching out to the WOODS and getting a tree. That’s real fun and adventure (definitely no flees either, too cold up there).