The Christmas season is not complete without decorations, and in my mom's opinion, everything needs to be decorated until it looks like our house should be in a Hallmark movie. One of the biggest and most important decorations during the Christmas season is the tree.

A Christmas tree is a real symbol of Christmas and is often the spotlight. The tree doesn't always need to be big and grand, it can be small and not very full so long as it is loved.

Since I was born, my family has always gone to a tree farm and picked out a real Christmas tree. This has always been one of our favorite traditions only second to decorating the tree. I have always loved real Christmas trees, and I think that if a person has the ability and the resources to get a real tree, they should do it.

A real tree gives off the Christmas feel. It has the smell of pine and embodies all of those candles that everyone gets to make it smell so fresh and Christmas-y. Not only does it smell better than a fake tree but it, in general, looks much better as well. A real tree may be a little messier, but it looks fuller, greener, and obviously looks much more alive. The aroma that a real tree gives off and just a glance in its direction is enough to put even the biggest Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge in the Christmas spirit.

Decorating the tree is even more fun than getting an actual tree, and it's such a great activity that a family gets to partake in together! My family always picks a color scheme (this year it was red and gold) and decorates the entire tree from top to bottom in these colors. We spend an entire afternoon decorating and make it a great family activity. We make hot chocolate, put on a Christmas movie, and have the best time putting up the tree and decorating it.

A tree makes it truly the Christmas season. Having one is so important, and it can create so much joy and help create many memories! It doesn't have to be as big as the White House tree, either; it can create just as many memories and foster as much joy even when it is two feet tall or fake.

I am a firm believer that a real tree is better than fake, but some people prefer fake trees that do some of the same things a real tree does but just doesn't have the same appeal!

So, Merry Christmas, and go get in the Christmas spirit!