I'm of dutch background and I grew up in PEI with real candles on the trees, (makes sense as they were neighbors to the Germans) this was back in the 60's. When I think now of the fire hazzard that must have been!!! I als oremember there being a bucket of water nearby.
Well as I understand it Queen Victoria married Albert of Hanover, a German. The Protestant religions had adopted the tree decorating as a Christmas custom although it began as a Solstice celebration on December 21, the shortest day of the year.
Albert brought the custom to Buckingham Palace and Queen Victoria popularised the tradition in the colonies and western culture in general. This was circa 1830, so really not that old of a tradition.
I grew up in an evergreen tree nursery. We still live on that location but the nursery is closed now. Lots of trees here, LOTS. We have a fake tree. Years ago I said never a fake tree for this cowboy. Now I can't bring myself to cut down a tree just to enjoy it in here for a few short weeks and then it's destroyed. Rather look out the window at them for years to come.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
We don't have that many to look at in Hog Town when we peer out our windows.
Christmas trees are actually a product. 98% are grown on farms for the specific purpose of being cut down and sold as Christmas trees. In Canada about 6,000,000 trees are sold each Christmas. It is about 35,000,000 in the USA so the Christmas Tree industry is a huge employer and contributor to our economy. Only about 20% of homes have a real tree, 35% have none and the remaining 45% have fake. Clearly having a real tree puts one in the minority but in reality the environmental argument against not having real is not that strong.
The ones we raise here were never intended to be for Christmas trees though. That is why I can't bring myself to do it. That and most of them are to the north of our home and the incredible shelter they provide from winter winds makes me want to hug every one of them when they are doing their job!
I'm not one for all the glitz that goes with Christmas anyway. I find I am distracted easily enough by the world without all that too!
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
Don't think for a minute I would cut one down if I lived at place like yours. The ones in the City are perfectly shaped and sized, just like picking out a shirt. I think the big City means big Christmas glitz, it must be nice to have a lower key and slower pace and be able to celebrate the true meaning.
We're about as low key as it gets. We go to the window and look out when the train goes by!
And yes, I love it. I am not criticizing, but I see no point in life in the city if there is work to be had out here. I'm a true country boy I guess. I would only work/live in the city if forced to.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
very nice 
AND you have presents!!!!!!! We could not decide, It was, have a tree, or have a present... 
p.s. did you notice I pasted?
