Traditions are a big part of the holidays and there is no bigger tradition than the Christmas tree. It encompasses the spirit of the holiday with its many branches and beautiful lights. It is truly the symbol of Christmas. What a wonderful holiday tradition it is decorating the Christmas tree together as a family. Home made ornaments from our children make it all the more special. They personalize the tree and make it uniquely yours. The Christmas tree also serves as the family’s gathering point on Christmas morning. In fact, it is the center of most Christmas ceremonies all over the world.

Every year we have a contest at our house to see who can decorate their tree the best. Each of my children get a tree for their room and have one week to put their artistic decorating skills to the test. The winner gets a personalized trophy to display as they wish. Last year my son won for most original when he covered the whole tree in matchbox cars! It’s a lot of fun seeing what they come up with and a great way to keep the Christmas spirit alive. You can always give a runner-up award for brightest lights, biggest bows or even the ugliest Christmas tree! Personalized trophies are a great idea and the kids love them.

Deciding on having a real tree or an artificial tree is completely up to each individual. Some people prefer the real tree for the pine scent and some people prefer the artificial tree for the simplicity. To many it’s simply following whatever tradition they grew up with. For a real tree, the best selling are Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Fraser Fir and Scotch Pine. There are more than 21,000 Christmas tree growers in the United States today.

Growing up we always had a real tree so once again that word “tradition” comes to mind because to this day we always have a real tree. However, there are several alternatives to real trees and the the artificial trees of today are not anything like they were a few years ago. Not only do they look and feel real, they're easy to care for. They may seem expensive, but they really pay for themselves over the years. If anyone in your family suffers from allergies associated with pine scent or pollen, buying an artificial tree is the only way to go. If you’re pressed for time around the holidays, you might want to consider a pre-lit artificial tree. They really are the way to go. Every year you simply get it out of storage and plug it in. If it’s the pine smell of a fresh-cut tree you love, but don't want the hassle of a real one, there are plenty of pine scented sprays, potpourris and candles that you can strategically place around your home and no one will be the wiser.

No matter what tree you decide on the important thing is to start your own family tradition for the years to come. A Christmas tree tradition is one tradition you won’t want to miss!