To say it’s a controversy, may be taking it a bit out of context. By all means, people do get pretty passionate about their Christmas trees. Some people are determined to have a real tree, while others are content with fake ones. I myself am torn.

While the look and smell of that mighty pine or cedar tree you get is pretty spectacular, sometimes the little “extras” that come along with it is so much. Extras for example are, a real tree requires water fairly often. This helps the needles stay on the tree, as opposed to your floor. Also, sometimes you may later on discover you have not only brought a part of nature home with you, but other little crawly creatures you weren’t even aware of. This brings up my family's own experience.

Apparently, when I was one, my mom and dad had a real tree, like they always had. But one morning my mom awoke only to discover tiny black dots on her ceiling above the tree. She unfortunately had aphids hatch over night that apparently were dormant in cold, but once the tree was acclimated to the temperature in doors, out they came. After vacuuming the ceiling and floor over the next several days, the problem was solved. The following year my parents also purchased another real tree, this particular time, ants were the culprit. Again another year passes, another tree purchased, and this time worst of the worst, baby spiders began to crawl out of the tree onto the floor. Now to be clear, all three trees were bought at three different tree farms. Was it a coincidence? Who knows, but to be honest, my mom told me the “three strikes you’re out” rule and I believe her. Needless to say, we haven’t had another real tree since.

Even though the smell of a fresh cut pine is nice, nowadays we just buy the pine scented ornament to hang on our good and trusty fake tree. A bug free zone it is!

So whatever your reasons or traditions are behind whichever tree you or your family have and enjoy, I say cheers to you. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe Happy New Year.