With all of the hoopla surrounding the commercialization of Christmas and how people obsess over decorations earlier and earlier, I think the last straw for me was when I heard people on the radio talking about the new upside down Christmas trees being sold.
That’s right. Upside down.
No pretty little star on the top. No angel. Just an upside down tree.
I almost ran a red light when I heard this completely asinine idea.
What could possibly make an upside down Christmas tree so appealing?
After perusing through the internet a while, I found numerous websites selling these eye sores for hundreds and hundreds of dollars.
Some of them hang from your ceiling while others are attached to a metal base that sits on the floor.
Two-hundred dollars will get you one from Earthflora.com and $400 will get you one on eBay. Target’s website sells the trees ranging from $299-$499.
Four-hundred dollars?!? I typically don’t spend that much on Christmas gifts, let alone a tree.
Then, while looking up the history of the Christmas tree, to my surprise, I read that this gravity-challenged display is not a new phenomenon.
Turns out, during the 7th century, a monk from Devonshire, England spent time preaching the word of God and brought a visual aspect to help in his teachings.
He used the triangular shape of the Fir tree to describe the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that makes up the Holy Trinity.
By the 12th century, the Fir tree was being hung upside down from ceilings in Central Europe as a symbol of Christianity at Christmas time.
Well, it may be a historical fact, but it doesn’t mean it looks good.
Some people say they like it because you can fit more gifts around the bottom. Some people like it because it’s different and unique.
So why not make this a new tradition for all holidays?
Why not hang a turkey upside down on Thanksgiving, hang eggs from the ceiling for Easter and the American Flag upside down for the 4th of July?
Because it’s silly, that’s why.
How about we stick to the basics this holiday season?
Build a nice snowman in your front yard instead of buying an inflatable giant reindeer. Take your time to buy a nice, personalized gift for your loved ones that doesn’t have to burn a whole in your pocketbook.
And most of all, decorate your Christmas tree right-side up and enjoy the simplicity of a normal looking tree.