Save a Tree | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Opinion
  3. Save a Tree

Save a Tree MAG

By Anonymous

As I brainstormed ideas to write about, I was struck by an odd sight. Sitting, in all its glory, in the center of my family’s living room was the Christmas tree. This might not seem an odd thing to have in a living room, but since it was the end of January and not one bulb or garland had been removed, it made me think, Why take the tree down?

To some, the idea of keeping a Christmas tree up all year might sound strange, but it’s practical and cost-effective. For most families, the tree is stripped of ornaments and thrown into the street for the garbage man a few days after Christmas. But for my family, the tree sits in the living room collecting dust and providing a place for spiders to spin delightful cobwebs. These cobwebs have been wonderful additions to the room, adding an abstract effect.

Taking a Christmas tree down seems futile since we know that another one will go up at the end of the year and will also need to be decorated. My solution: throw a bedsheet over the tree and use it as the room’s centerpiece. You could use one with a flower pattern, or even a retro sheet with the Power Rangers. When people ask, “Why is there a cone-shaped sheet there?” you can respond that it is an original piece of contemporary art.

Christmas trees also take a toll on families’ billfolds. Most people buy a new one each year and get new ornaments since the old ones often break. Why waste the money? Covering the tree with a sheet is cheaper and much more enjoyable. Unveiling the already-­decorated tree on the first day of December is a wonderful way to start the holiday ­season.

I realize my idea is radical, but I think if people really put some thought into their Christmas trees, they would realize how right I am. And I am sure the trash collectors would appreciate not having to pick up so many prickly evergreens.

© Anonymous

Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar Articles

Previous Next
Opinion
Here’s the Beef MAG
By Anonymous
Opinion
Failing Personal Finance? MAG
By Anonymous
Opinion
Future Withdrawal Syndrome MAG
By Anonymous
Opinion
An Innocent Kiss MAG
By Anonymous
Opinion
The United States In The Global Economy MAG
By Anonymous
Opinion
A Hefty Concern MAG
By Anonymous

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 23 comments.

stud said...
on Nov. 18 2010 at 2:25 pm

hey yall sbi usad oivu hih

oq ivoe

millz said...
on May. 11 2009 at 2:05 pm
Great artical! My fam kept our tree up until March but it was fake.
Molly said...
on Apr. 10 2009 at 6:33 pm
Ok even though this isn't a great way to save a tree, (your parents might think other wise about one being in the livingroom)how about just planting one in your back yard and decorating it every year. Or a fake one?
kimni54321 said...
on Mar. 30 2009 at 10:01 pm
Great article! Keep up the good work!
Ethan Hunt said...
on Mar. 2 2009 at 2:07 pm
Here we go again, Ethan!
bean said...
on Feb. 27 2009 at 1:50 am
I love this article!

Allot.

We should all take more time to appreciate the simple things like Christmas tress. The negative comments are obviously from peopl who do not.
chikk4_u97 said...
on Feb. 23 2009 at 6:24 pm
Look guys if u like saving trees for every christmas then go ahed no one is toping u but if u dont im wit you on that XxDeexX
tweedle dee said...
on Jan. 29 2009 at 1:16 pm
i dont know why everyone is goin so crazy about this. cant anyone tell it's supposed to be a joke?!?!?! i got that in the first paragraph and honestly i thought it was really funny! i laughed sooooo hard at the thought of telling someone that the pointy power ranger sheet was contemporary art :) great job, this was great!
lulubellrulz22 said...
on Jan. 22 2009 at 6:51 pm
I really enjoyed your article, but the one thing that came to my mind was that a real tree would end up rotting. I think you had a really great idea, but a fake tree would be more convient. You could put it away and pull it out each year. The tree wouldn't have to stay out and wouldn't rot. And as you mentioned one tree would be a lot cheaper.
kaddi19 said...
on Jan. 21 2009 at 9:16 pm
your story didnt make sense did you right this in your spare time cuse u were bored or something, trees and ornaments arent that much and if you kept them all year in your house they would eventually die you know because there roots arent attached. took a genuis!!! i heart soccer:p:p:p:p
mandy-moo said...
on Jan. 21 2009 at 9:12 pm
I don't agree with you at all. A sheet covered tree in your living room would look ridiculous and no want to keep things covered in spiderwebs in their house. No offense. Besides, if people have fake trees they don't through them away every year and if you have a real tree, it would be dead every year which ruins the beauty of a Christmas tree. Sorry but I didn't like your idea AT ALL!
cheer_chick27 said...
on Jan. 21 2009 at 7:31 pm
I feel that you are right and wrong at the same time becasue if you leave the tree up all year then sometime real christmas trees tend to die.. and then sometime they tend to rot so thats one of the reason people throw them out right after christmas. But so peopole have fake christmas tree where they dont even have to go out adn buy a real christmas tree and ruin the enviormant more than it already is. where they can just put it away adn take it out again when its chrismas time. Also about the ornaments yes, some people do go out and buy more ornaments every year, but thats also somethuing that you can do with your family. And you can decorate it to. But like my family we have several christmas trees that are thourhg out our house and we have to buy more ornaments becasue we have to many trees. And most people dont go out and buy more ornaments they use the ones that the have and they can look back at them for memories. And if they are really special to them the rap them up really good so that they cant break.
big1909 said...
on Jan. 21 2009 at 4:13 pm
i don't know many people with a real tree thats alls u gots to do is get
Nutbagger2009 said...
on Jan. 21 2009 at 4:12 pm
I guess you could be right, but why not get a fake tree?.. and you dont have to throw the fake tree away. Just put it in your attic or garage. Theres no need to put a pointed up bedsheet in the middle of your living room. Seriosly.
lainielu13 said...
on Jan. 16 2009 at 7:59 pm
I think it's a great idea to keep your tree up! I think it will not only save you a decorating day but it will also help save the earth! If all of America reuses there Christmas tree than that could be a major step for the environment! I know this seemed like a joke to you but I think that the environment is important. I have a plastic tree anyway! So don't tell me this article was a joke!!!!!!!!
Sahar_SaiD said...
on Jan. 6 2009 at 7:13 pm
I feel you strongly on this article!!!
lunafunmonkey said...
on Jan. 3 2009 at 7:37 pm
Personally, I feel that it is a beautiful idea to keep a tree up in your living room all year round. Bring some nature into your home! And I don't even care if this article was meant to be a joke. ;)
Sharky101 said...
on Dec. 31 2008 at 1:28 am
Ok... the trees you buy come from a farm, tr33hugr112 stated that already. Also I disagree on your statement on how people throw away trees! Not true!If you go to earth 911 it tells you that you can recycle your tree! Any way I enjoyed your aticle but next time at least try to get facts right, kk?
woody said...
on Dec. 19 2008 at 7:06 am
woo you can't call putting a tree in your living room ludicrous without calling snow boarding ludicrous am i right?
NotSuch-a-Good-idea said...
on Dec. 14 2008 at 3:55 am
You had me until you got to the whole spired to weave webbs thing.