Alternative Christmas Trees

No...I don't mean Christmas trees that smell like teen spirit...

CasaSugar recently shared a list to 10 Stylish Reusable Christmas Trees that are alternatives to the traditional tree, especially for those of you who can't decide between getting a real or fake tree. Some of them are also eco-friendly! :)

My favorite?

Aaron R. Thomas Lucite Acrylic Christmas Tree

Unlike most of the other alternative trees, this one sits on the floor, comes in three standard Christmas tree size - 4 ft., 6 ft, and 8 ft -and has room for tons of ornaments. It's made from recyclable acrylic and is made in Orange County, CA. It has a hefty price tag - $678 - but man, what a cool looking tree!

Read more about Aaron R. Thomas and the company's acrylic recycling program.

Which alternative tree was your favorite?

Real or Fake? The Christmas Tree Debate

I'm sure many of you went back and forth about what type of Christmas tree to get this season - real or fake? While there are pros and cons to both, the most eco-friendly choice to get a real Christmas tree from a tree farm.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association - a group that provides a great comparison chart on their website - real Christmas trees are the best option because they are:

• Grown in the US
• 100% biodegradable
• Carbon Neutral
• Lead and Plastic Free
  

I've been trying really hard to be eco-friendly, but this year I committed Christmas tree-son (treason) and bought a fake Christmas tree. In my defense, "a one-time purchase of an artificial tree can save gas otherwise used for annual trips to the local tree farm." (Robert Lilienfeld, co-author of Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are) The tree is also reusable and the lights are LED lights.

I also believe I made the most sustainable choice, given my situation. Sustainability isn't only about being eco-friendly or green. It also takes people, culture, and economics into consideration. As a single mom with limited financial resources, the $35 pre-lit 6 ft. tree I bought at Walmart totally fit my budget. A real tree of the same size would have cost more than that! I also saved time and money by not having to rent a truck and ropes to transport the tree (or having to schedule time with friends to help me). I also avoided the frustration of having to string lights on the tree. My tree is easy to transport, store and assemble, which is more important to me. And just look at the smile on my son's face...that's all the justification I need! :)

 Which type of Christmas tree did you get this year? Is it eco-friendly and/or sustainable?

Making a List, Checking the Price...

Call me crazy, but I started Christmas shopping weeks ago...or at least planning my gifts. I already know what I'm getting my co-workers and friends, and I've bought my son some classic children's literature that was on sale at Border's two weeks ago.

Today, I received an email from Target announcing their Christmas list. I looked through the list and realized how easy boys are when it comes to gifts. My list will contain gifts from the following categories:

• Blocks/Legos
• Pretend Play (tool kit, doctor's kit, cash register, etc.)
• Action Figures and/or Cars
• Arts and Crafts
• Classic Board Games
• Learning Toys (Leap Frog reader)
• Books
• Clothing

These are pretty much the same categories I used last year and will use for years to come. I suppose only the details will change. (For instance, he likes superheros this year, but maybe next year he'll be into dinosaurs.) My problem is that I want to get him everything! I really need to set a budget, but I want to hear from you first...

Do you set a budget for your holiday shopping? How much do you usually spend on Christmas gifts for your child/children?