We had a Christmas tree every year. It was always a big deal to make the trip to the "tree yard" as my dad always called it. My sister and I always wanted the most beautiful, perfect ....and expensive tree that was right up front. My dad would slowly wonder through the yard till we got to the back. Here would be the trees w/broken and missing limbs. Most likely to be thrown out. He would rummage around till we found one he liked and would "dicker" a price for it. Always much less than anything out in the yard. After the deal was made, he would ask if he could have some of the discarded limbs lying about. Sure, take what you want. My sister and I would be heart broken. Once he got it home, he would cut it to a height to fit in the living room. Set it in a bucket of sand. Then get out his drill and stand back and eye that tree. With a few well placed holes drilled in the trunk, he would get out his pocket knife. He would take those extra limbs he picked up and cut and whittle them to fit those holes he drilled. When he brought that tree upstairs, it was perfect. No broken or missing limbs, perfect shape. Thanks! Dad for your hard work and sacrifice.
I bet you learned some wood carving skills from him. My father taught himself woodworking, made bookshelves and tables that my brother and I still have. He never got into firewood, though. Pity, he would have been a natural.
I bought a $300 pre lit fake tree last year after Christmas for $99. Hasn't even been out of the box yet. I'm still going out to God's country milling timber, and offered to give her her choice of a thousand trees....I can text you pictures, and have it in the livingroom within 3 hours. Nope...want's the fake one up. Oh well....at least the cats have a harder time ripping apart metal and plastic. LOL.
