First Frasier Fir

Thanksgiving weekend is the traditional time for us to get our Christmas tree. Often, we do it on the day after Thanksgiving, but this year it waited for Sunday.

As you may know, this is Leah's last year at home. When we bought our artificial tree two years ago, she reminded us that we had promised to have a "real" tree until she went to college, so for the past two years, we've had two trees -- the artificial (which looks really good, let me tell you), and the one we purchase from the nice people at Whiting's Nursery. So, this year, we needed a "real tree" again, and I told Leah she could pick it out (with an unstated "within reason" proviso.)

For many years, we have had Balsam firs. They are very aromatic, and typically have the nice full branches we love. This year, however, we looked at a couple of Balsams and they were only so-so. So we took a gander at the Frasier Firs. In the past, any time I've seen a Frasier, it's been too sparse. It looks great for a "store tree" because it's so perfectly shaped, and all the store-themed ornaments can be hung carefully and evenly, but the Frasiers I've seen before have not had enough volume. So I did not expect Leah to find something she liked.

But Lo! There it was. Big and full and long-lasting. OK, not as aromatic as the Balsams, but every bit as beautiful, with lots of room to hang and tuck and place ornaments. It was, of course, the most expensive real tree we've ever bought, but for Leah's Senior Year, and because I've always secretly hoped to find a Frasier I liked, we got it.

Once it's all decked, I will take a photo (or two or ten) of course. With luck, I'll even post it.

Leah also told us that, even if she's in New York, the one time all year she'd make sure to be home is for the Christmas-to-New Year's week, and she really hopes we'll still have a real tree when she visits. It's nice to know that she has the same attachment to the holiday and family and friends that we do.

Thus begins Advent, and the Christmas season!