Christmas tree...

Christmas tree have distinct smell. A smell associated with holidays, family gathering and presents. Even if it's an artificial Christmas tree. Natural Christmas trees have piney smells. Some air freshener comes with pine scent in this season. Well, it's either cinnamon, cranberry or pine smell. I read a lot of American home magazine. One can expect 5 air freshener advertisements in one magazine, with samples of course. The magazine itself is just like a portable perfume shop. I wonder if you can burn or plug those magazine to produce nice smelling ambient at home. Don't believe me? Grab the latest Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Even in Australia, where it's summer, Australian House and Gardens do have those piney smells too. And I thought that they celebrate Christmas in July.

In tropical island, there are a few pine trees. One can find a Casuarina tree by the sea. We have a lot in this little city. But those trees have irregular forms. Unlike in the north where Christmas trees are farmed in nurseries and cared for to get those perfect cone shape.

It is more convenient to buy a fake plastic Christmas trees. Those have a distinct smell too. Plastic smell. When this little city was still a small town, fake Christmas trees are hard to find and expensive. And nobody really care if your house have Christmas tree or not. It's not a norm. People would just decorate their houses with garlands and ornaments and festive lights. And maybe nativity scenes. (Just like the French)

The readily available pine like trees are the Casuarinas. There are thousands of them at the beach. So one can cut a young tree and bring it home and decorate. In fact, our first Christmas tree were a Casuarina. Since it is so flexible, (they have to, otherwise, they'll break in strong sea breeze) it can't support a regular Christmas decorations. Back then, baubles are mostly glass. So, we decorated out tree with balloons. One thing about Casuarinas, they are scentless.

In the early 90's we have our first artificial Christmas tree. It is still in good condition except for the stand. Those trees have real life like leaves. Those leaves or needles are rigid unlike the current version. Even the stem and trunks are wood like. I don't see any shop selling these kind of trees. All have hairy trunk and stems. By hairy, I mean fuzzy. It's covered with rafia like green brushes. Ours is life like. So I like ours better.

Like all artificial Christmas trees, they come in boxes. And when those trees are not needed, they are stored in their packaging for about 9 to 10 months. Imagine the plasticy fumes accumulating inside the box. Come November, the tree would release it's scent. Assembling and decorating Christmas trees is the highlight of the year. It's fun. And also shopping for new ornaments. Even the ornaments have a distinct smell.

Growing up, we erect our trees indoors. But when I was posted in the town by the river, most houses put their trees in their porch, outdoor. Taiwanese do the same too. Seldom seen in the big city or little city. Personally, I think the town by the river is the most 'Christian' urban area in this state. Church spires everywhere. In Christmas, Thousands of Christmas trees can be seen, both in retail spaces in the Central Business District and in residential homes. Churches in this town also 'competes' in term of decorations. Unique Christmas trees made of recyclables, most colourful, the tallest. Yup they seems to outdo the other churches.

Larger Christmas trees are also displayed in front of major departmental stores and shopping malls.

Now, the big question is, should I erect my Christmas tree. I'll be celebrating alone. In fact, I've been a Grinch for almost a decade now. In college, I celebrated Christmas alone. My roommates are away in the town celebrating in hotels. In first year medical school, I celebrated it alone. My roommate was away in his church. Second year, my housemates whom are studying Nursing had their holiday in their respective hometown, 3rd year in the town by the big river. Ei, it's almost a decade celebrating Christmas alone. Well, it's a pagan holiday to begin with. So no biggie.

I'm thinking of decorating the Mulberry tree in front of the house if I really want to have a Christmas tree. And celebrate Christmas in KFC like the Japanese?

Casuarina
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casuarina  

Artificial Christmas tree. Ours was polyethylene molded needle (PE). But being made in the 80's/90's it's less realistic than in this video but better than PVC needle. It's hard to find an exact tree like ours. My parents bought ours at Park Hotel (Back then, it's the grandest hotel in this town)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-l1VCK1U4M
PVC is too common here.

Well, if I have a lot of money to spare, I'll definitely buy antlers Christmas tree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV5dolv53BM