Since it IS symbolic, nobody says it even needs to be real. An artificial tree could do quite well next Christmas, the good Lord permitting. For me I have never had one because I have cats! Cats and Christmas trees never get along well.
Yes, I’m thinking about an artificial one. Today, they are beautiful! When I was a kid, we only had the worst looking fake tree so when I had my own home I insisted on a real one. They’re a lot of trouble but so beautiful. And, yes, my cat has destroyed myriad ornaments over the years.
I don’t know, HiTech...I’ve had cats all my life and the only time they ever bothered the (live) tree was if they were too young to go outside — true kittens.
Once they are old enough to go out, if they bothered the Christmas tree, out they went. We’ve never had a lasting problem.
That said, I do make one concession — I no longer put tinsel on the tree. Pussycats and tinsel are a very bad mix.
THAT said, more than one of my cats have always enjoyed sleeping under the tree next to the manger. I think it must be nice and warm under all those lights, and it offers a nice opportunity for a cute picture.
Regards,
PS: Our tree will stay up at least until January 6, and if it’s not TOO much of a fire hazard, even longer than that.
Our solution for the climbing problem was to put a screw-eye in a ceiling beam and wire the tree to the ceiling. Kitties could scramble up and down and do no real harm. Strangely enough, they never broke a glass ornament climbing around the tree. Although one of my little females had the odd habit of taking an ornament that was a little stuffed mouse in an old-fashioned Kate Greenaway bonnet and pinafore, hauling her down the tree, and UNDRESSING her. I don't know if she was a champion of Nudity for Mice or was offended by her pretending to be a human.