Most readers prefer real fir on Christmas

Project: Reader Reaction

A recent Project: Reader Reaction question asked participants if they prefer real or artificial Christmas trees. Some responses:

“I love the smell of a real tree, but I would rather have an artificial tree because it is easier to decorate and there is no mess of pine needles all over the carpet. There is less of a worry that the tree will go up in flames and it is less expensive to use the same tree year after year. I buy a pine scent to compensate for not having a real tree.”

— Ardyth Elms, Clovis

“I prefer the real thing. To me, the ‘live’ Christmas tree symbolizes the living deity, while a substitute is just an ornament.”

— Harold Burris, Clovis

“There was a time when I wouldn’t own an artificial Christmas tree. We always got great pleasure in going to the mountains and cutting our own. As the years went by we got tired of the mess the real trees make and having to dispose of them. The artificial trees may not smell or look as good as the real thing but they’ll do. Besides, it’s a little too far to drive to cut your own tree from Clovis.”

— Michael Williams, Clovis

“I prefer a real Christmas tree, but in effort to save trees we use an artificial tree. Far less mess when you take them down.”

— John Frey, Clovis

“I’ll never understand the rationale of someone who chooses to cut down a tree to use as a decoration for two weeks. Then they place this fire hazard in a house full of children. After all this is done, the city receives the honor of disposing of their 8-foot piece of trash. In other words, I prefer artificial.”

— Richard Lopes, Clovis

“I prefer a real Christmas tree; however I have an artificial one because they last longer.”

— Jim Sitterly, Clovis

“I prefer live trees. However, being from New Hampshire originally and cutting my own, I have a problem finding the right tree with the right shape.”

— Bruce Ford, Clovis

Editor’s note: The Clovis News Journal asks readers to respond via e-mail to a series of questions each week. To participate in Project: Reader Reaction, contact editor David Stevens at : [email protected]