[hoosiermama]

According to a history of Christmas traditions article I read a few years back, the trees were originally hung from the ceiling (upside down). Used for utilitarian purposes, food was hung on them to keep it safe from the varmints! That's why cookies, gingerbread men etc are still hung from the trees.

Wish I'd kept that article so the source could be checked.

[svcw]

I have also heard it keeps the trees fresher longer.
But the real question should be whether to buy a real tree or an artificial tree.

[newfrpr04]

there is some Christmas Traditions and Customs site - christmas.indiasever.com/christmas-traditions/index.html

Those upside down trees (the really nice ones) are great, we got one for our family room last year, along with our traditional tree for living room. They have been around for a couple of years, you only see them in small shops