Real vs Fake

The Captain has only been gone 2 weeks. Already I've committed the ultimate marital sin.

You hear stories about the things wives get up to while the husbands are serving overseas. The wife who moves a new guy in the minute her husband's gone. The wife who clears out the bank account and does a runner. The one who takes all his extra tour money and spends it on new shoes. I never thought I'd become one of those nuts who does something crazy while he's away. But I have.

Yesterday, I bought one of these:


Okay, fine. For the average marriage, this is not the ultimate sin. But when the Captain finds out, things may get a little heated.

You see, the Captain grew up with a real Christmas tree in his living room every year. It's a tradition that is important to him, and one on which he will not compromise. I grew up with a fake one, so the idea of a real tree doesn't bother me too much. I admit, I like the gorgeous, fresh pine smell that fills the room when you bring it in. But since I'm on my own this year, listening to Firstborn whine every waking minute he's not allowed to be on the computer, chasing Rosemary's Baby out of every forbidden cupboard in the house, and yelling at Rusty and Jerome every time they bark at a passing squirrel, that lovely smell is not worth the extra stress of having to go out, pick a tree, lug it home, saw off the bottom, set up the stand, water it daily, watch for fire hazards, untangle strings of lights, and lug it back out when we're done with it. Ordering a fake, pre-lit tree online that will end up costing about the equivalent of 2 real trees, and that comes with its own stand and no need for watering is well worth a lecture from my husband this time around.

The other advantage of a fake tree is that I can put it up as early as I like. I'm thinking I need as much extra Christmas cheer around here as I can get this year, and having my tree up and the carols going before November is over may be a good way to get me into the Christmas spirit. I figure it's worth a try.

And if it doesn't get me tap-dancing around the house singing White Christmas at the top of my lungs, at least I'm not sweeping up pine needles.

Comments

Ms. Sarah said…
we couldnt have real trees due to my little brother being allergic. My husband and I had real trees until we moved to an apartment where it was against the rules. So we got a fake, with that we got the fakest tree we could find. We got a white one lol.
laterg8r said…
so funny - he's not there, it won't kill him!

ps - that pine scent can be had by purchasing scented candles or one of those car air fresheners shaped like a tree LOL :D
Jeannette StG said…
For so many years we had a fake tree, because some of the reasons you mentioned (no time!! or money), so as soon as we could, we bought a real tree! Maybe keep the fake one, for when he's away, and buy a real tree when he's there?
I am allllll for the fake tree!
Stephanie Faris said…
We had real trees when I was a kid. I can still remember my mom having to constantly vacuum up pine needles. Then, if you got it too soon, it would be brown by Christmas Day, so you never got to have your tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving, as I like to do now. Plus, artificial trees can be pre-lit so no dealing with those darn lights, which is the hardest part!
Tamara Dawn said…
That is a beautiful tree! Cheap asses like me know that investing in a fake tree saves a lot of time and hassel!

Hubs will be ok :)
Heather said…
Living in AU - We have always had fake trees, from my grandmothers, through to my parents through to my own family. Easy - pull it out year after year, never a problem.
Last year I was given a real tree, it was horrible,messy, and the smell? What smell? - because AU is mid-summer all the doors and windows are open.
Nah - give me a fake tree anyday!
AngeliStarr said…
SOOO U know what I think??! I think that you since he is already going to be mad about you getting a fake tree ... might as well get the fakest, nicest one you can find!!! LOL IDK im just bad like that
I LOVE our fake tree! I grew up with a real one and so did hubby BUT we have 2 dogs who will eat it and 3 crazy kids so the fake one is much better!!! Enjoy yours!
Angie Muresan said…
I love real trees, but I think it's more about the going out together to a christmas tree farm as family process, than it is about the real tree. Cause when it comes right down to it they are a hassle, and one I wouldn't mind avoiding.
Allison said…
I'm all about a fake tree too! We have a tiny house and usually real trees are too big, if not they have no needles and I'm all about having a place to hang ornaments!
Unknown said…
It sounds like a wise decision! I hope December finds you filled with Christmas Spirit!
Just Jen said…
We have a live tree every year, and put it up Thanksgiving weekend! Christmas time is my FAVORITE! I love every thing about Christmas time! I'm most likey the only person in the world who is looking forward to Christmas music on the radio! (I even have a few Christmas songs on my ipod!)

I'm not sure how we are going to have a live tree this year, though, because of the 5 puppies we are keeping. I need to start thinking about that though...
The Blonde Duck said…
We had the debate when we first got married. I wanted REAL, Ben wanted fake. And cheap fake.

Since he has allergies, he won. Le sigh.
does the captain clean up the nightmare that is a month plus old live tree in the middle of the living room? i actually scrapped a whole layout of our last live tree and why it would be our last - it ruined my brand new carpet. i got tired of the mess!

Popular posts from this blog

Hi. I'm Knitwit, and I'm a Purse-a-holic.

Obama in Ottawa

Awards and Flowers