Tips for trimming the tree

Tree trimming on a trimmed budget:

— Purchase basic glass ornaments at discount or outlet stores.

— Look for unique items that you already have that can be used as ornaments.

— Get creative making your own ornaments. You can use: foam balls, dried pasta, picture frames, even seashells.

— Request ornaments as gifts from family and friends.

— Have a tree-trimming party.

— Shop year-round for decorations. Purchase expensive ornaments after the holidays when the markdowns are best.

It takes time to build the perfect tree, so enjoy the process.

Real versus artificial

There is an ongoing debate on which is better for the environment: real trees or artificial trees. Here's the scoop.

Artificial trees

— Originally developed in the 1930s by the Addis Brush Company (who made toilet bowl brushes), artificial trees contain PVC, a plastic material that can be a potential source of lead, causing a potential hazard to children (visit www.christmastree.org for more information)

— According to www.treehugger.com, an artificial tree would need to be kept for at least 20 years to have a lower contribution to climate change. Currently, people keep artificial trees for approximately six years on average.

Real trees

— The smell and feel can not be duplicated. The downside of real Christmas trees is that they typically receive repeated applications of pesticides which contribute to pollution in local watersheds.

— The most eco-friendly way to enjoy a Christmas tree is to buy a live tree with roots intact and then replant it. If replanting though, consider whether or not the tree you used for ornaments is suited to your backyard climate. Choosing an indigenous tree may not keep with holiday tradition, but it is a feel-good, no harm done to the environment, decision.

— The most environmentally friendly option is to choose a farmed tree. Farmed Christmas trees are a renewable resource. They are growing trees, which absorb carbon dioxide. After the holidays the trees can be recycled into mulch. Check www.earth911.com to learn where to take your tree after December 25.

— The best farmed tree is a locally grown tree. Visit a Christmas tree farm where you can choose, and possibly cut, your own tree. To find a tree farm in your area visit www.pickyourownchristmastree.org or www.christmastree.org.