The holiday cheer is definitely in the air at the Chic house! With the holiday both speeding up and slowing down things, I had to ensure there was time for a TREE!
Hubby and I headed out last night to pick out our Christmas tree. My family always purchased real Christmas trees growing up, but in recent years, my dad has decided that they’re too much of a fire hazard. So, they now do faux Christmas trees. I am still a big proponent of real Christmas trees because it seems more traditional, brings back fond memories, and makes the house smell lovely.
(Though I will admit, those pre-lit trees seem pretty darn convenient)
We visited the Darrell Simpson Family lot, where they always have lots of beautiful trees.
I also enjoy how festive their set up is.
Trees galore!
I’m glad hubby and I bundled up because it was freezing outside! I only wish I had worn gloves and a hat!
I didn’t feel bad for myself so much as the poor guys working there who had to be out there all day! I wanted to give them all blankets and hot cocoa…poor guys!
Red, white, and green!
On the hunt.
I can haz dis one?
Unfortunately, a giant Christmas tree is out of our price range and wouldn’t fit in our house anyways. Not to mention I’d have to double my collection of lights, tinsel garland, and ornaments for a tree that size. Hubby and I picked out a nice six-footer.
We brought the tree home just as the sun was setting.
I was super excited about getting at least some of the basic decorations up. I quickly put on an iTunes Christmas radio station in the background.
First, the lights!
Then, the tree skirt.
Then, a moment to notice that I was purchasing a tree from a family who has been operating since 1941!!
Next, a moment to remember I had cookies in the house.
Yeppirs…tasty oatmeal chocolate chip.
Upon remembering I had cookies, I did what any normal Christmas-tree-decorating girl would have done. I made homemade hot cocoa (from scratch).
Oh yes! Hot cocoa and cookies…not for you Santa…not yet. 
After a cookie, hot cocoa, and some tinsel garland, I decided to call it a night. Hubby and I will finish the rest of the decorations soon. Woohoo! Can’t wait to pull out my favorite ornaments! 
Reader question: If you celebrate Christmas, do you prefer real trees or fake trees?
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Real trees are the way to go! Even though sometimes they are a pain, nothing beats the smell of a real tree!
Fake trees for sure. I’m super allergic to pine! I can’t even be in someone’s house with a real tree for more than 30 minutes.
i prefer real! i love the smell of pine… but the cleaning up bit is much more of a hassel!
We’ve always had a fake tree, but I’ve always wanted to try for a real one!
Maybe you can just get one of those wee mini ones. They usually have some for sale that are as small as 3 ft!
Looks beautiful.
Real trees are definite!! Love the smell!
Real trees all the way! They are such a mess and always end up getting sap on my carpet, but the smell is amazing and it has always been our tradition growing up.
REAL! REAL! REAL! One year when I was growing up, my mom decided to try out a fake, we even had the fake pine smell in a can that she sprayed, and I complained so much that we never had a fake one again. I love the smell, the tradition, even the needles all over the floor…hm…speaking of…did I water mine this morning? Love your post!
I love how passionate you are about your real trees. Rock on!
real all the way! we just put ours up last night and i love it! now i need to get wrapping paper so i can get some gifts under it, it looks so bare!
I thought about putting fake gifts under our tree. When you do yours, do you use real gifts or are they empty and just for show?
i have some real ones i can wrap. otherwise i probably would do some fake ones! i just love the look of presents under the tree
REAL tree! I love the smell and fake trees just aren’t as pretty.
I always loved real trees but my allergies to pine and pine cones became pretty severe in recent years. So for the past few years, we’ve been using a pre-lit artificial tree. I miss the fresh smell and going out to pick a tree with the kids but I don’t miss the hives and my airway closing up on me…
Artificial trees have come a long way and can still make a room look and feel festive
Not sure which is more beautiful: the tree, the cookies, or the sunset photo!
Love this time of year!
What a gorgeous tree! I’m still in the process of decorating mine and it’s only 4′ tall lol.