Over the years I’ve been to thousands of estate sales and auctions. I’ve noticed that many of these sales have massive excesses of ‘Christmas’ decor, including trees. It makes me wonder why people compulsively accumulate these holiday trappings.

Seems to me that the real question the Gazette should have asked was not ‘Real, Artificial, or none?’ but ‘Recycled?’. Time to put an end to the holiday waste!

Growing up we always had a real tree so in my adult life I did not deviate from that my first few Christmas’ on my own. Holy cow, what a mess real trees make! They are really high maintenance! Begrudgingly I made the switch to an artificial tree. After 10 (or so) years of using an artificial tree, I could not be happier with the decision. No mess, no watering, put up and take down in 3 easy steps. No way would I switch back to a real tree!

For me, Christmas is a very important holiday but it is a personal holiday, a family holiday and a very meaningful spiritual holiday. I detest all the commercialization of Christmas. This holiday has been sabotaged by commercial interests to increase profits.

With respect to trees, a single modest tree (real or artificial) is all I care for. This business of having the biggest tree, the fanciest tree or the most trees is not in keeping with the spirit of the Christmas I know.

Probably none, as my apartment is kinda small. I prefer real, but for convenience sake would probably go artificial.