Winter Wonderful Fir or Faux 4 U? Mary Lynne Spazok
What does your Christmas tree say about you? Just C9, theme, bubble, candle, mini, commercial, clear, white, color, like gift-giving unveils insights into a relationship, your Christmas blinking, or sparkling—lighting choices are electrifying. Banish decor brings to light a distinct persona. If just before boring and change it up; better yet, mix and match! Thanksgiving you’re itching to dust off the tinsel (tinsel was once After illumination, start at the top! If you favor the star tree banned by the government because early on it contained lead) topper you think of yourself as stellar—one who steps up to and twinkling LEDs, then you’re likely to be in touch with your take a strong leadership role and has a staunch moral compass. inner child. Memories of Christmas past illuminate our hearts. Equally popular, an Angel reveals a person with a strong spiriWhether you prefer faux, a garden fresh variety from a “pop up” tual side who has a kind soul and a charitable heart. Humble or lot, or fell your fir, ’tis the season! opulent, tree toppers are always the crowning glory. When it comes to choosing the perfect Next, it’s the adornment of shimmering pine, space, placement, and budget are all ornamentation. The root word “ornament” in play. If you oppose holiday commeris defined as an accessory used to beautify, cialization, perhaps Charlie Brown-chic enrich, or improve the appearance or general is more your style. Charlie Brown’s tree is effect of an object. Hence, decorating bravura not ostentatious by any measure, but more is personal. Flamboyant helter-skelter ena humble icon of hope, the true meaning ergy equates to hanging every last light and of Christmas. Those who choose artificial decoration you own, expressing fervid indeare practical, long-term planners, budgetpendence. Living over-the-top, you don’t care oriented, and organized. The allure of a what others think. This fun, carefree eclectic faux Christmas tree is obvious: reusable, flair is sometimes known as “everything Bird feeder with wreath dependably lush, and symmetrical. In but the kitchen sink.” If, however, the best opposition, mess-and maintenance-free two words to describe you are “content and convenience has an environmental penalty. secure,” you embrace charming, historicallyArtificial trees are made from materials proven ornaments of a traditionalist. The such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and ever green eco-conscious personality prefers metal. Once used to its maximum life handcrafted, earthy, and low key. Whatever expectancy (when you tire of it), they the motif, love overflows and joy abounds generally end up in landfills. In contrast, in a home that is richly blessed with family emergent Christmas trees provide habitat and friends. for wildlife and prevent erosion of rugExactly, what is the post-holiday value ged, often unusable terrain. Entrenched in of a fresh fir? Communities, including the USC’s community of sustainable awareness, Township of Upper St. Clair, chip and re“Choosing a real tree is the environmencycle back conifers to Mother Earth. Merits tally-sound choice. What could be more of intact trees include wind barriers, erosion natural?” said Bob Scott, of the National barriers, and pond sinking for aquatic habitaChristmas Tree Association. Tom McNabb tion. Did you know that intact artificial trees Pole suet feeder with wreath of Yule Tree Farms affirms, “Real trees are can be donated to various charitable groups, an important oxygen-producing conservation crop.” So, if you schools, pet rescues, and other organizations? How about securrevere nature, then fresh greenery is for you. ing it in a weighted container for your back deck or porch? Plug Are you grandiose or symmetrical? An extra big tree, perhaps into a proper timer for a more distanced alfresco ambiance. “too big,” is simply an expression of a flamboyant character. You can upcycle other faux greenery, as well, including Your ambitious persona confirms that you can, in fact, make it wreaths and swags. Place a wreath on an outdoor bird feeder. work no matter what. You dream big and are not afraid of fail- It will protect the seeds from moisture and the birds from high ure. However, if perfection is your mantra, choose symmetrical. winds. Secure a wreath to a pole along with a suet feeder to You are a visual learner; you command structure and thrive in help birds survive the frigid months. Suet replenishes depleted venues of discipline and order. No decision is made lightly when stores of nutrients vital for the increased energy demands of it comes to deliberate, strategic embellishment. spring nesting. Add a touch of magic and warmth with a dazzling array of So, for you, is it fir or faux? Ultilights. The first known electrically-illuminated Christmas tree mately, the Christmas tree you choose was the creation of Edward H. Johnson, an associate of inventor is a reflection of your world view. In A Thomas Edison. Are you white, multi, theme, or none? Choosing Charlie Brown Christmas (1965, short “none” equates to an “off-the-grid” personality. Into glitzy? You film/comedy), Charlie Brown stated, are fearless! Big, bright, and bold is an extension of your gregari- “... even a small, unassuming tree is one ous personality; your outdoor star-studded display is cosmos that needs me: One with the potential to worthy. Aw, the understated minimalist—monochrome in design become something beautiful, magical, and favors discreet radiance. Whether LED, incandescent, C7, and unexpected.” n
Winter 2018
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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