With mixed emotions, I write to say that we bought a fake tree.

After enduring a few arguments while browsing the trees in the lot outside Menard's, a building supply store, we were split. Two of us liked one specimen, while several others preferred shopping for a fake tree. We had to come to some kind of consensus, and it wasn't the most pleasant process. Of course, getting six people to agree on anything isn't easy, and selecting a family tree is notorious for causing chaos. So we decided to wait for another shipment of "fresh" trees (we all know they aren't all that fresh) and in the meantime browse the selection of fake trees there and at Target. Menard's had run out of the two we thought were attractive, so we went to Target and found a nice one already wired with white lights. I wasn't sure what I thought of the prewired lights idea, but the pressure was on, they had one in the back, and we had to make a snap decision. We got the tree.

I'm still not sure what I really think, except that it is the straightest, fullest, finest looking tree we've ever selected. Plus, the new dog doesn't really think of it as a tree, which I'm sure is good for our carpets.

Another plus is that we don't have to fall asleep worrying about the tree drying out and sparking a fire. We can have it up longer. The kids love it.

But we won't have that experience of picking out our tree next year (after this year's disagreements, however, I think this is a plus, not a negative). We don't have that pine-y smell in our house, though I think I'm going to pick up some real garland or a handmade wreath this week to compensate.

The whole thing leaves me unsure what I should be feeling. Is it better or worse for the environment? Did we spoil something really special about the season? Will we really use this fake one for enough years to offset the cost of buying fresh each year? Will it quickly get ugly and worn looking?

I'm not sure. But it certainly was easy to set up and decorate. Just plugging it in made my husband smile (we added colored lights to suit the children's tastes). He happily toted away the tree stand that he pulled down from the attic when he thought we'd come home with a real tree. He disliked keeping those things watered, and none of us enjoyed needle droppings that poked us in the foot (that is, when our feet are bare--mine are usually covered, as you may recall).

So we have a fake tree. We have a 7-and-a-half-foot, prewired, perfectly symmetrical, straight Christmas tree that will be a part of our lives for at least 5 years, or we won't get our money's worth. It seems strange to sing "O Christmas Tree" in light of this manmade creation. Then again, that was always a funny carol to me anyway, I mean, singing to the tree?