Sacred Family Saturday!

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree..... this week the Monster House is all about putting up the Christmas decorations. I love this time of year, when the twinkle lights come out, the nativity sets are carefully set up, and the stockings are hung, just waiting to be filled with all kinds of fun little presents to be discovered on Christmas morning. But, one of my most favorite things about Christmas is the tree.

I'm a traditional sort of girl. I love the classic triangle shape, and that spicy citrus scent of the Douglas fir. I love the density of the needles that are ornament hanging perfection. I even love vacuuming up the inevitable piles of dead needles off the carpet, because it makes the whole house smell like Christmas. And... I have an artificial, pre-lit 6.5' tree. It makes me crazy. Feels like I'm commiting some kind of horrible, inexcusable sin against the season.

This year, I have managed to convince the Daddy that I need at least a wreath or garland made of real Christmas tree branches. I have yet to find a scented candle or room freshener or potpourri that smells like a genuine Christmas tree. I long for trips to a tree lot. I dream of rubbing needles between my fingers and inhaling the sticky, sappy pine fragrance.

So tell me. When it comes to the tree, do you have preferences? What are your specifications: live or artificial? Douglas fir, noble fir etc...do you have a favorite? What do you like to decorate your tree with~ is it sparkly silver icicles, traditional tinsel garland, popcorn and cranberry strings? And... do you have a cat? ;)

Christmas tree image in this post by Google images.