Decking The Halls Frugally - Losing Some Old Traditions

[K8-EEE]

One of the things I'm not doing this year is getting poinsettias -- please remember I come from a DO IT UP type background and I'm used to not even thinking about this stuff! I used to get like 20 of them at Trader Joes every year!

But what is the point of getting all these plants that you can't ever save (they really are made to bloom for the season and die.)

I'm growing my own sweet peas (nice thing about L.A., you can do your own flowers at Xmas!) but besides that, I've been getting down the holiday dishes and showcasing produce in them -- bowls of limes (from my tree!) and red peppers which my kids devour, I just sort of change them out.

I think they're very festive! Another thing we did was go to the park & collect pine cones and put them in one of the copper tubs I used to fill with poinsettias on the front porch. They look kinda seasonal and you don't have to fuss over them either. Also picked up some pumpkins that were abandoned in one of the lots after Halloween and put them in a wheelbarrow in the old poinsettia spot.

I'm positioning this to the kids as "lets do something fun and different" so far no complaints. Maybe when we're packing it all up I'll point out how much less trash we have this year. Also trying to do minimally wrapped/reusable wrapping on the gifts.

We are getting an Xmas tree -- but I found a place up North aways that is a responsible grower, buying from them actually helps keep that area wooded & free from lurking developers. And it will be a nice day trip driving up there.

[SouthPasadenaDem]

1. No! In LA, the trick with pointsettias is to plant them in the yard --

If you have a place to plant one or more, they can grow to the size of large bush/small tree and they turn red every winter. Especially in LA. And they can be spectacular. But they definitely are a perennial. Don't toss them at the end of the holiday season - plant them!

On edit - You're right, if you're buying 20 or so of them a year, even the largest yard would be overrun with them if you planted them. But still, try planting one or two in a sunny spot after the holidays are over. They come back year after year and continue to get bigger.

[K8-EEE]

2. No, Those Are Different

I'm a major green thumber and I have one of the shrubs you describe....wish I knew the botanical name, the flowers are similar but the aren't the same as the florist's holiday version. Those DIE and believe me I've tried! They even told me at the store, they are a "houseplant" type and will not even tolerate our slightly chilly Dec. winters. As houseplants, they're seasonal...start wilting 3rd week in Jan, you can set your watch buy it, LOL!

[sherilocks]

9. More on poinsettias

You can buy them AFTER the holidays for a pittance. Around here they will sell for about 50 cents on December 26. I can grow them outside, but they require absolute darkness for periods of time and selective pruning. I'm sure the conditions can be emulated indoors and the result will be beautiful plants for the following year.

[fudge stripe cookays]

3. I know it sounds rough,

but DUMP the real tree. Get an artificial one. Spray some tree scent or burn a Glad pine scented candle to get the full effect. Not only are they a fire hazard waiting to happen, they're completely unnecessary.

My family has had artificial trees my whole life, even before I was an environmental type. I could never even imagine getting a real one. I just couldn't justify cutting down a beautiful tree just so I could hang tinsel on it. Seriously.

It would take some getting used to, but just think of how much extra you'd be doing by saving that one tree. And how much we could all do by making the same move.

FSC

[K8-EEE]

4. I Support This Free Farm

I don't feel bad about it at all. This is private family-owned tree farm that doesn't make a lot of money and replants every year. I don't want to see it be a WalMart! Almost all the open space around L.A. has been developed except for a couple of holdouts. It's a beautiful place and nice people and no different from cutting flowers IMO which I do every day.

[K8-EEE]

6. Ooops I meant, TREE FARM....

too late to edit, they are free!! Unfortunately!

[kayell]

10. I have to agree with you. Artificial trees consume a lot of resources

and are not recyclable. They are typically discarded after about 5 to 10 years, as they get battered looking. Tree farms run by small responsible growers generally improve the environment. Trees are typically 7 to 10 years old at harvest and during that time they have added oxygen to the air. Tree farms are usually on land that would otherwise be used for animal agriculture (slopes or soil), which is overall damaging to the environment. Trees are recylable, usually by municipalities as mulch for their parks. Tree farms keep many families involved in small-scale agriculture. A lot os small family farms that grow organic vegetables, vinyards or orchards, also grow christmas trees.

If a cut tree does not suit, consider purchasing a living tree for planting out after the holidays. Be aware that this will only work in some parts of the country, and that trees can only be inside for 1 week tops. If you don't have room for that many trees over the years (most Christmas trees get BIG), check with your parks system or town ahead of time to see if they take donations of trees. Some have regular programs, some are simply happy to let you plant a tree in a place they approve.

Another option is the permanent house plant used as a tree. I have seen many Norfolk Island pines decorated over the years, ficus, and even a palm tree.

I've seen people decorate only a living tree that is permanently outside. Wildlife and bird oriented people often do this with edible treets. Remember that permanent conifers provide good cover for birds.

Another option (shock) is simply not having a tree. Or having a child decorated painting of a tree. Or ...just be creative with a new tradition.

[fudge stripe cookays]

12. Point taken,

but my family had the same tree for 30 years. I can't bear to think of cutting down a tree. It's just me. I love them too much.

FSC

[kayell]

13. If you already have the tree, it makes good sense to keep using it

I certainly wouldn't want you to discard it in order to buy a cut tree. It sounds like your family is much more careful with the artificial tree than most.

[cliss]

26. We've gotten living Christmas trees the past

few years. It was a big hassle; dig up a big hole, shake out the excess dirt, put into a big pot. Bring home, practically break your back in the process, push into a corner. Decorate. Hang your best ornaments on it. Hang a few strands of light. Ahhhh. Smells beautiful.

3 weeks later, out you go. We'd bury the baby at my parents' house. Once, my parents dug up the former Christmas tree and recycled it!!

I know exactly what you mean. I just can't do it.

[NMDemDist2]

31. hubby is allergic to pine, we've had the same fake tree for 11 years now

it's getting a bit rough, but we won't replace it this year for sure

while our family has a health issue guiding our choice I think 10-15 years of not killing a tree for Jesus for a $80 investment isn't too bad

[Lorien]

5. I no longer string lights along the roof line

I just get those battery powered "candles" for the windows (and use rechargeable batteries, of course). I only have four windows that really show to the street, so I don't need many. I also get an evergreen wreath from Costco that's made from Christmas tree trimmings. I wrap some white lights around it, add the bow I use every year, and that's it!

I haven't had a Christmas tree in the past couple of years because my young cats are still to hyperactive for it to be safe. I just put some decorated artificial evergreen swags along the mantle, put the Christmas cards I receive along the top, and usually put a white mum in a red planter on the dining table. That's it!

[K8-EEE]

7. Gulp! My House Will Look Like Macy's Starting Nov 26

My house will be an excellent disguise for my newfound minimalism in about a week. I can live without it but I live with three Xmas Decor maniacs and they are gonna bring all that stuff down from the attic the day after Thanksgiving, this is for sure. But...NOOOO MORE! No new stuff is about the best I can do here.

My husband has a bit of a Nat'l Lampoon Christmas Vacation thing going on, complete with yearly cussing and frustration, and believe me I could do without that eff-in' trainset thing in the living room that I get in trouble tripping over.

Every year I trip over it for a month and then get attitude for messing up the tracks!

The funny thing is that we live across the street from a little synagogue and most of my neighbors are orthodox jews so it really sticks out. Every year the temple kids across the street are waiting for us to plug in. My kids wait outside every night during Hannukah waiting for the new candles to go in their window. It's kind of cute!

[grasswire]

8. hmm

I guess our definitions of "frugal" are different.

[kayell]

11. I think all of our definitions are probably different, but

the only contest involved should be against our own past records. If anyone can cut down on the amount that they personally consume, it is a move in the right direction.

[K8-EEE]

14. True!

It's true, I'm sure I'm not frugal at all, just more so than I used to be. If people want to buy nothing at all I can support that, but me, I'm just not buying from GWB-supporting companies. I don't really get the logic of not supporting "red state" businesses if they are a good (lib-friendly) business, but everyone has to put it through their own filter, the point is just to be mindful of what you are buying/supporting.

[yardwork]

28. Very good point - we want to improve from our baselines

If everybody improves the thoughtfulness of their shopping, if every single person who voted for Kerry switches a couple hundred dollars away from red companies and to blue companies - we can make a huge impact.

It's far better to take small steps toward changing our lifestyles and keep it up for the long-term, than to attempt more than we can sustain, get discouraged, and go back to our old bad habits after a few weeks.

I applaud everybody who makes any change toward frugality or thoughtful shopping. Three cheers! Keep it up! Go for your personal best!

[Willy Lee]

32. We all take our own approach. That's what makes us unique.

I have friends who hang 4 ornamnets on a trimmed branch, others who deck out a 12 foot tree every year, and still others who will use nothing but a fake tree. All very progressive dems. The season is all about the cherished traditions, old or new, that we celebrate each year.

Still, there is always room for improvement! This year I vowed to spend no new money on decorations. It has been great stringing popcorn garland, making ornaments, trimming the evergreens for fresh boughs, etc. I convinced my Mom that no matter how left leaning she feels (and boy is she LEFT!) that she still shops at Wal Mart and that just ain't no good. She stopped. (At 80 it is harder to change your ways!)

We all have our own way of celebrating. Let's rejoice in the happiness rather than point fingers. And of course celebrate with a conscious.

[politicat]

15. this on poinsettas from my county extension:

Q. I have a big, beautiful poinsettia and I don't have the heart to throw it away. Is there any way I can save it to rebloom next year? If so, what is the best method?


A: Yes, you can keep your favorite poinsettia and try to bring it to color next year, but it is a long-term, meticulous and sometimes ugly process. You will notice that your poinsettia starts fading in March or April. Soon after that, prune down to a few leaves per stem. After a few weeks, repot in a larger container with a high quality, well-drained mix. Water when soil is dry to the touch, but always make sure your poinsettia has good drainage because it is very susceptible to disease. Prune every six weeks to shape and to encourage fullness. Next fall, exclude light every night for more than 12 hours and approximately 10 weeks later your poinsettia should return to color. Even if you follow these directions, there is no guarantee that you will achieve the ideal results.

Pcat

[K8-EEE]

16. Actually I Think Those BIG Ones...

Like the BIG shrubby size they have at Costco for $16, those MIGHT...I'm saying MIGHT survive, but those little tabletop babies? Uh uh...I've tried EVERYTHING with those short of buying them a hospital bed & they DIE DIE DIE....they're born to die!

[vinessa4freedom]

17. poinsettia poison

Although they are beautiful, I can't keep them in the house. They are highly toxic and Q would be very interested in eating them. He's a cat with a flower fettish. :9

Way too cold here to plant them outside. Time to dust off the (sigh) artificial ones.

[kayell]

18. Poinsettias are NOT poisonous*. This is a myth

*Unless you plan on eating several pounds of the things.

Every year I have to debunk this story for frightened gardeners.

http://www.umm.edu/childsafety/home_safety/ency/poinsettia/poinsettia.htm
"A child may end up with a stomachache from eating the poinsettia’s colorful leaves, but that’s about the extent of the problem it causes. In 1971, researchers at Ohio State University tested the toxicity of poinsettias by preparing a liquid containing pulverized plant parts and then feeding the mixture to rats. The dosage was the equivalent to feeding 1 and one-fourth pounds of leaves to a 50-pound child, the result of which proved that the poinsettia, benign and beautiful, could be enjoyed at holiday time without any anxiety."

more

[vinessa4freedom]

19. for cats, too?

how great! Thanks for debunking. :) My vet was anal about it, I took his word. Where the heck did the poison rumors come from? (As if I need more to be paranoid about.)

I'm not shopping today (black friday) but tomorrow I'm going to get one. Thank you Kayell!

[kayell]

20. From the link in my post:

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: How did poinsettias get a poisonous reputation?

A: Legend has it that in 1919 a child in Hawaii died after eating a poinsettia. Poison Control Centers receive many calls each year about children eating the plant. The documented results show only occasional abdominal pain or nausea, and no deaths.

snip

Q: Are poinsettias poisonous to pets?

A: No, though like a child, an animal that eats the plant may get a stomachache.

Consider yourself smacked with a large cold fish for not checking the link. :spank: :P (It's always good to check the link anyway to see if the source looks to be reliable. Anyone can write anything - like poinsettias are poisonous - This is from the University of MD Medical System and cites their references. One thing you can do in searches on scientific issues is to use google and after your search words type site:edu This will restrict the search to education sites. Still use caution, it could be a post by a freshman, or someone with an education account that is not well informed. References on a page are always a plus.)

/annoying lecture mode

[vinessa4freedom]

21. ouch

I checked the link after posting. Sorry, it was early and I was in backwards mode. I did read the article, and went to a couple of the pet links. LOL I knew there was a reason I don't believe in spanking-didn't realize I'd be the spankee.

If you must smack- could you do it with a wet noodle- I'm a vegetarian and the fish shouldn't be punished for my ignorance.:dunce:

Thanks for the great link and good info. Vinessa

[kayell]

22. S'okay Sorry I was snappy.

Two of my pet peeves. *must remember to housebreak peeves*

No actual fish were harmed in the writing of my post. I don't have any wet noodles, but do have some leftover roasted garlic linguine. Would you like that? :-)

[vinessa4freedom]

23. Much better than our leftovers

What time is dinner? LOL. I supposed if I deserve a thrashing getting it with roasted garlic linguine does put me in the jet set. Sounds like punishment for the privileged.

[K8-EEE]

24. Poinsettia Article In Dec "Sunset"

Says that they have been breeding them for years to force-bloom for the holidays and that now some growers are trying to revitalize the big shrubby poinsettias of yesteryear to be grown as perennials in mild climates.

[Lorien]

25. I have one in my backyard (I live in Florida)

but it has never turned red again; it's just a huge green bush now!

[SnowBack]

27. We planted a poinsetta outside a few years ago...

It's about 4 feet high now... Every year, it looks absolutely horrible around October, and then suddenly turns red around November...

I think it cost about 2.99 when we bought it...

Living near San Fran comes in handy... EVERYTHING grows here - Our yard is like a jungle from all the "houseplants" we put outside...

The rubber trees really ARE trees... We threw a couple in the ground a few years ago, and now they're about 25 feet high

:)

[DemBones DemBones]

29. Maybe you'll find some good faux poinsettias, as a

friend did a few years ago, on sale at Big Lots, LOL. She uses them all around the upper opening of her two story living room and they look great. Every year people think they are real and ask her how she waters them!

I always swore I'd never get an artificial tree but change is liberating, right? We gave in and got an artificial tree about ten years ago, after a two week period when we bought two real trees in a row that began to shed badly before we could even get them set up. If a tree is in a bucket of water and outside in north Georgia and starts shedding. . . Before that, we always cut live trees ourselves. I never wanted to get a plant-later live tree because I like to have the tree up for more time than is healthy for a live tree.

What I really want this year is a gumdrop tree just like my mother had back in the fifties, but with fresh gumdrops. ;-)

[JaneDoughnut]

30. I love my Christmas lights

I used an old broken table top and some strings of lights I got at CVS (Democrat donaters!) to fashion a giant peace sign for the front of my house. I hope people will see it and take a moment to think about what Christ REALLY stood for.

That and some charity donations are as close as I'll get to participating in Christmas this year. It's simply become too consumption-oriented.