Favorite Christmas Tree?

What is your favorite type of Christmas tree? A pine? A Fir? A Balsam Fir?

Ideal height? 5'? 6'? 8'? 14'?

How much are you willing to pay? How much do you like to pay?

How about one that is probably not more than 18", if you don't consider the pot that it's in?

A pot you say?

Do you mean the stand?

No, the pot.

Our tree, that was maybe 24" including the pot and sat on our dining table, was, in fact, a rosemary bush trained and trimmed into the shape of an evergreen tree - the traditional Christmas shape of modern times. (I learned recently that, apparently the Celts used to decorate Oak trees almost a millennia ago. That's got a whole different vibe.)

Today I planted that festive rosemary bush with compost and organic soil in the sideyard of our rented apartment in a previously barren and firmly-baked clay plot. It felt good. To be honest, we don't know how much we will use the herbs from it in our cooking and cocktail making, because it is not organic and we have transitioned sufficiently towards this healthy and environmental way of eating and making food purchases that having conventional food that is genetically modified and laced and penetrated with herbicides and pesticides, and probably other things...fungicides(?) feels more like the poor decision that it is. I am currently as delighted as if I planted a tree to think how I contributed to healthier soil in my community and decreasing our carbon footprint. (Woah, this tree is really bringing out my progressive side!)

Wow! Who knew a $8 or $9 circumstances-inspired purchase for our 1-bedroom apartment lifestyle in pandemic times could be so meaningful to someone who is frankly confused by the Christmas of her American and Christian upbringing and who was still celebrating today - a day after the New Year? Are we still in the 12 days of Christmas? (Don't be mad, I told you Christmas creates dissidence in me. I don't know these things.) What a delight to start the new year digging in the soil, giving back life to something that gives me life, while wasting much less than my normal Christmas tree requires.

This is not a critique of your Christmas Tree buying history or philosophy or future. This is rather me exploring my experience these past few weeks with this little tree that we always knew would see many future Christmases.

Thanks, Trader Joe's, for these neat trees. Also an organic one would be even better! As of right now, I'll be coming back for another one next year.

But perhaps next year we can figure out how to rig some lights and an angel to it.

Happy Holidays, everyone! (Please teach me more about Kwanzaa and Hanukkah!)
-Elle