You simply can’t imagine Christmas without a Christmas tree. And preferably a real one instead of a ‘fake’. So you jump in your car, drive to a hardware shop and buy a non-organically grown Norwegian Nordmann fir for 20 euros. With root ball and all, of course, but still far from joyous. The alternative? Don’t buy a Christmas tree, adopt one instead!
A Christmas tree with a root ball sounds responsible, and for many feels better than a tree mounted on one of those wooden crosses. However, the root ball is often deceptive – even if you plant the tree in the garden (if you have one) after Christmas, there’s a good chance it won’t make it to the next festive season. Fortunately, there is an alternative: you can adopt a Christmas tree instead!
Old-fashioned
Previously, I wasn’t interested at all. A Christmas tree? No way, far too old-fashioned! I preferred to come up with my own festive decorations: pine branches from my mother’s woodland garden, Christmas tree pendants or wall-hangings made from card and shiny fabrics. Instead of hanging Christmas balls in a tree, I turned them into a mobile, or arranged them ‘casually’ in a pretty bowl. And I chose a different colour scheme each year, of course.
Sustainable bond
This year, my twins put considerable pressure on me to finally bring a real Christmas tree into the house. At first I resisted, but a subsequent internet search revealed that it was not only possible to adopt a Christmas tree, it would also be organically grown, sustainable, good for people and animals, and would come with a redeemable deposit. And should you become hugely attached to your ‘own’ tree, you could even bring that same tree back into your home next year. A sustainable bond with your very own Christmas tree – that really appealed to me! And I recommend it to everyone.
It did occur to me that Christmas is a celebration of the child. Being a mother of two children myself, my first impulse is to support charities that protect the welfare of children. But should you happen to have a little money to spare, then adopt a tree. Do be on time however, because they go really fast. And then you’ll still end up having to take your car to the hardware shop…