Save a Tree | Teen Ink

Save a Tree MAG

By Anonymous

As I brainstormed ideas to write about, I was struck by an odd sight. Sitting, in all its glory, in the center of my family’s living room was the Christmas tree. This might not seem an odd thing to have in a living room, but since it was the end of January and not one bulb or garland had been removed, it made me think, Why take the tree down?

To some, the idea of keeping a Christmas tree up all year might sound strange, but it’s practical and cost-effective. For most families, the tree is stripped of ornaments and thrown into the street for the garbage man a few days after Christmas. But for my family, the tree sits in the living room collecting dust and providing a place for spiders to spin delightful cobwebs. These cobwebs have been wonderful additions to the room, adding an abstract effect.

Taking a Christmas tree down seems futile since we know that another one will go up at the end of the year and will also need to be decorated. My solution: throw a bedsheet over the tree and use it as the room’s centerpiece. You could use one with a flower pattern, or even a retro sheet with the Power Rangers. When people ask, “Why is there a cone-shaped sheet there?” you can respond that it is an original piece of contemporary art.

Christmas trees also take a toll on families’ billfolds. Most people buy a new one each year and get new ornaments since the old ones often break. Why waste the money? Covering the tree with a sheet is cheaper and much more enjoyable. Unveiling the already-­decorated tree on the first day of December is a wonderful way to start the holiday ­season.

I realize my idea is radical, but I think if people really put some thought into their Christmas trees, they would realize how right I am. And I am sure the trash collectors would appreciate not having to pick up so many prickly evergreens.



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This article has 23 comments.


Tree Hugger said...
on Dec. 9 2008 at 9:56 pm
Thats a great idea but theres some reasons I disagree. Plastic trees are not good for the environment its better to get a real tree from a tree farm because they are meant to be cut down anyway. The tree farms plant new ones every year so it makes up for the one you cut. If thrown in a wooded area, the cut tree provides shelter for animals and also food for other plants as it decomposes.

tglock5 said...
on Dec. 9 2008 at 5:45 am
I wrote this article. tr33hugr112, I appreciate what you and your English class have to say, but chill out man. This wasn't meant to be serious at all. It was meant to be a satirical take on Christmas and the ludicrous idea of putting a tree in your living room. It's no more strange than putting a power ranger sheet over it. Chill man.

tr33hugr112 said...
on Dec. 6 2008 at 12:21 am
You must have no more than 3 brain cells, author of this article.

Here's why: most Christmas trees come from farms, so they are supposed to be cut down and no harm is done to the environment. In 11 months, most uprooted trees will reach a significant level of decay, and I'm not sure that anybody's parents would like thousands of tiny little brown needles all over their living room carpet. Ornaments and trees don't even cost that much and personally my family hardly ever breaks a single ornament. And finally, it is not abstract art, it's strange and unattractive to have a decaying evergreen in your living room; I would rather have a hobo in the corner of my living room than a rotting Christmas tree covered in a Power Ranger pattern sheet.

Don't get me wrong, i am a tree hugger 10000% percent through, but this is just one of the stupidest ideas ever. My whole English class agrees. Try thinking things through more thoroughly next time.