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  • Got tree?

    Retailers see green in holiday tree sales
    Buyers rush to find a fresh tree as many sites report sellouts
    Mary Vorsino, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Monday, December 13, 2004
    With more than two weeks to go before Christmas, many seasonal tree sellers and big-box retailers statewide say they don't have any more fresh trees. Some sold their last trees this weekend, while others finished up their tree sales more than a week ago.
    Well, that explains it. We headed out this past weekend to get our tree, and found all the usual spots in Mililani completely bare. I figured either we were looking too early, or they sold out. We ended up driving to Pearlridge, having decided to buy an artificial tree at Sears as a last resort... but passed a big green tent along Kamehameha Highway and pulled off there. Ended up with a small, scrappy tree for $45 (they still had big, thick ones for $90).

    Left on my own, I suspect I'd ignore the whole Christmas season altogether. But now I've got kids - and Catholic kids, to boot - so I've gotta play along. I have to admit, even for a former Scrooge, some holiday things have their charm...

  • #2
    Re: Got tree?

    Originally posted by pzarquon
    Left on my own, I suspect I'd ignore the whole Christmas season altogether. But now I've got kids - and Catholic kids, to boot - so I've gotta play along. I have to admit, even for a former Scrooge, some holiday things have their charm...

    ya know it is a kids holiday. and a merchants holiday.
    Kids go through a lot and it is for them. Hopefully they learn of the real reason and the adjunct lessons of sharing, giving, acceptance, gratitude...
    the religious implications...

    Remember one Christmas in Kailua in the 60's. We have home movies of them of course, but some memories are forever burned into the brain from the moment they are created;
    us keiki opening presents and flipping out at each one. We would slowly unwrap them aware of the care and attention that went into even the wrapping and the cute "to and from" labels on each one.
    we would admire, marvel and gaze at each new present and thank the person it came from then and there. This was not forced. It was natural. (I have witnessed other's Crhristmasses wherein the kids run to the tree and converge on the presents decimating them in 2 minutes flat, resulting in not much more than a very sour look on their faces, as they have been taught by the media and pop culture the basic feeling of Christmas: "hope ya get whacha want!"
    Our Christmas morning ritual would last most of the day. A vision remains in my mind of all of us enjoying our stuff, and our Dad sitting there in his favorite chair looking on with a smile, and I immediately felt like a greedy little oink-koink, cuz he didnt have the amount of presents we had, or was enjoying it as we keiki were. I felt badly and didn't like the part of Christmas where we want want want and hope to get, get, get.
    later, kids would be outside on Hele Street sharing what they got, and i felt; It doesn't matter... just as long as we have a good time together and feel enriched inside from the spiritual aspect of the holiday season. this is more permanent and fulfilling than stuffing the toy chest...

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    • #3
      Re: Got tree?

      Originally posted by pzarquon
      Retailers see green in holiday tree sales
      Buyers rush to find a fresh tree as many sites report sellouts
      Mary Vorsino, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Monday, December 13, 2004
      Well, that explains it. We headed out this past weekend to get our tree, and found all the usual spots in Mililani completely bare. I figured either we were looking too early, or they sold out. We ended up driving to Pearlridge, having decided to buy an artificial tree at Sears as a last resort... but passed a big green tent along Kamehameha Highway and pulled off there. Ended up with a small, scrappy tree for $45 (they still had big, thick ones for $90).

      Left on my own, I suspect I'd ignore the whole Christmas season altogether. But now I've got kids - and Catholic kids, to boot - so I've gotta play along. I have to admit, even for a former Scrooge, some holiday things have their charm...
      We buy from Habilitat every year, so there's one on reserve for us on the one day per year they distribute them (Dec. 4 this year). We pay probably ten bucks more for the tree than we could elsewhere, but hey, they need the money for programs.
      http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/

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      • #4
        Re: Got tree?

        Get lots of trees still up here. You guys like? We bought a 3 1/2 foot Noble last night...cost $28.

        Miulang
        "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Got tree?

          Good Grief Charlie Brown can't you get a decent tree for our Christmas Play?

          Miulang that's not a fair statement since you're surrounded by Christmas trees where you live.

          As for me I opted for a plastic tree to help save the earth from indiscriminate clear cutting of a living entity for the sake of a Christian holiday. And I'm a Christian too! If communion can use grape juice in place of wine, I can use a plastic tree in place of a beheaded plant.

          Since the way the prices of live trees are going every year, my 7-foot $39 plastic tree from WalMart has paid for itself already! I'm sitting not more than 10-feet away from it and with all the decoration and the pine-scented air freshner hanging from one plastic limb, it fooled virtually everyone that has approached it and took in that "wonderful" pine scent.

          This tree has hinged branches and built in lights plus a carrying bag to store it in the attic for next year! And no pine needles in the carpet and in the car!
          My wife was so against plastic trees every year I mentioned it (going on 10-years now) but because of the shortage this year, (I still cannot understand why WalMart in Hilo started selling live Christmas trees before Thanksgiving!) She gave in and we bought plastic. She's amazed at how life like the tree looked.
          Life is what you make of it...so please read the instructions carefully.

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          • #6
            Re: Got tree?

            I've long been in the plastic tree camp since 1985 or so. I have a small 12 inch plastic tree that I bought from Gem's (for about $12) way back when and have used it for most of the holiday seasons in my home or our office when I have time to set it up.

            This year I bought an even easier tree to set up, a 6 inch tall plastic spiral light doohickey that elevates into a small tree when you pull it up. Lights are already set in place and when the season over, squish it down flat, put it in the box and save it for next year. Got that tree from Pricebusters, $5.99. Also bought an even smaller ceramic "tree" from the same place, $1.69. All reusable, no fuss, no mess, no pine needles, etc.

            While real trees give an air of authenticty and tradition for the season, financially it does not make sense to spend big $$ on a real tree this month only to worry about it next month in terms of disposal or mulching.

            BTW, I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season.
            I'm still here. Are you?

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            • #7
              Re: Got tree?

              Originally posted by Miulang
              Get lots of trees still up here. You guys like? We bought a 3 1/2 foot Noble last night...cost $28.

              Miulang
              Our tree is so diminutive that it came home in a large plastic garbage bag! (The better to take it to the recycling center next month). The hubby refuses to let a plastic tree in the hale, even though he's the one who gets to clean up the pine needles when the tree leaves the house. I saw one of those all-in-one trees on the Good Morning Show. There's just a pole and you pick up the middle of the tree pile, attach it to the top of the pole, and voila! a completely decorated tree (ornaments and all) appears before your eyes.

              Miulang
              "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Got tree?

                Originally posted by craigwatanabe
                Since the way the prices of live trees are going every year, my 7-foot $39 plastic tree from WalMart has paid for itself already! I'm sitting not more than 10-feet away from it and with all the decoration and the pine-scented air freshner hanging from one plastic limb, it fooled virtually everyone that has approached it and took in that "wonderful" pine scent.
                You know, we actually went to WalMart to find an artificial tree, but couldn't find any, at least at the Mililani store. And we were on our way to get an artificial tree at Sears Pearlridge when we spotted the "real tree" tent.

                Essentially, I suspect our days of insisting on a "real tree" are numbered. If we can get one for a good price (or for a good cause - we used to buy trees from Kalani High School as a fundraiser), sure, but otherwise, the way y'all are describing the 'quick up, quick down' models is pretty darn appealing.

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                • #9
                  Re: Got tree?

                  Real or artificial, you still have to decorate it, and that's what takes the time, right?
                  http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/

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                  • #10
                    Re: Got tree?

                    all this time, energy, and money saving fake tree stuff reminds me of this shiny plastic cheap fencing we are seeing quite a bit of, in Hawaii Kai.
                    What's the draw?
                    well!
                    ya never haveta maintain it! Don't need to paint it once a year. repair it. no termite damage.

                    But for me, part of the charm of wood fences, apart from the obvious thing of having a real wood fence, something organic and real, is painting and repairing it now and then. And the great inimitable feel of real wood. and the look. Can't replicate that. Not with plastic. Nope. A plastic fence looks like a plastic fence. Some of us like the old ways.
                    It is tradition. part of our lives....

                    If I can't have traditional scent of real tree, I would rather not have tree at all. As kids, part of all the fun, tradition and basic break from the rest of the year WAS the slow 'laborous' decorating of the tree.
                    In this modern society, mostly peopled with those that think instant gratification takes too long, setting up and breaking down a christmans tree is bah humbug. Tee-jous.
                    But small keed time, we enjoyed doing the tinsel thing. Stringing popcorn thingies to circle round the tree. making those colorful, albiet goofy round construction paper chains.
                    We even enjoyed the ritual of going out and choosing a tree, watering it at home, taking care of it...
                    Nope. Most don't see the value any longer of the "quality time' spent with the ohana, doing this kinda thing. No sense in any family bonding, creating the general decor inside and outside of the house for the Christmas holiday. I would wager many have the present wrapping done by someone else; by the store. or quickly whip it up as if it were an annoying chore. And I would wager, the "to and from labels" are no longer decorative, and done with care...

                    Now that I am far past childhood... and having no keiki around, I am not one to do much christmassy stuff round da house.and i don't like the idea of cutting down a perfectly good tree that has been growing steadily for at least a few years, minding its own business when these hairless two legged beings come along and destroy it for their strang ritual that dictates putting a large tree inside a house, (!?) and cover it with crap to make it unrecognizeable, then of course, allow it to die, then throw it away. All for the sake of recognizing an aspect of the youngest religion on earth, in a manner that has evolved within the space of a very short one hundred years.
                    So, all told, aside from the nostalgic value, it really isn't a far reaching tradition, when ya really think about it. it's pretty absurd. Ludicrous.
                    Last edited by kimo55; December 13, 2004, 07:03 PM.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Got tree?

                      Real Christmas trees are a farm commodity, just like chicken and turkeys and cattle. They are raised specifically to be cut down at Christmas. Up here, you can also get a cutting permit and go chop down your own in one of the national forests. That's too much humbug, but I do like the smell of the real thing for the few weeks we have it in the house. Fortunately, the cats have absolutely no interest in climbing the Christmas treetrunk, but they do like to hide under it.

                      Miulang
                      "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Got tree?

                        Ah, Oh!Christmas Tree,Oh!Christmas Tree! I wrote about this same topic last night in my Weblog. Yep, $100.00 and up for a xmas tree...no ways! Still, my home is decorated all in Christmas decorations,music and ANGELS galore! I miss the scent of pine but I would miss the $100.00 more.heheheh
                        Be AKAMAI ~ KOKUA Hawai`i!
                        Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Got tree?

                          "Got tree?"



                          uhh... no.
                          just got two.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Got tree?

                            Originally posted by 1stwahine
                            I miss the scent of pine but I would miss the $100.00 more.heheheh
                            yep. thass whuzzcalled taking the commercialisation of the tradition too far.
                            (keep da kala. no waste um.)

                            je'like; I won't let a February holiday dictate to me, when and if I should give a favorite wahine some flowers... or candy... or take her out to dinner.

                            and I am starting to resent a holiday that tells me to be happy. at this time of year. Hey, wot; I steh unhappy da ress o da year?!
                            And what if I NEVER feel what is known as "merry" ?

                            "Eh. Kimo. 'Suuuup! How you steh brah."
                            "Ohh, I am absolutely MEEEEERRYY today!"

                            and why not give gifts through out the other months? spread it out so's you can afford it.
                            and celebrate the birth of, and think of the head dude of this christian religion not just in December, (which, as we beat the subject to death in anodda thread, was ascertained; He was NOT born in December...)


                            ok. nuffarrready.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Got tree?

                              Ho! What a kill joy but das okay we should be happy everyday of the year and we should be generous every day of the year too!

                              Christmas everyday! My wallet will hate me but my keiki will love it!
                              Life is what you make of it...so please read the instructions carefully.

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