<p>For those who’d like an artificial tree that isn’t made in China, JCPenney has some that are assembled in Mexico of US-made components. They’ve been on sale for several weeks and you can always find a free shipping coupon. They’re not pre-lit (all of the pre-lit ones I’ve found are from PRC - there may be others I’ve not come across) and I found lights made in the P.I. a couple of years ago to replace our ancient light strings that were failing. I’d love to try some LED lights, but haven’t been able to locate any made outside of China. I admit the trees are not the fullest or most realistic looking, but they’re not unattractive and loaded with ornaments & lights they look very pretty. </p>
<p>Last weekend, I unwrapped the trees (we keep them covered in old sheets & stored in a large walk-in closet) and “dusted” them with a hairdryer set on cool (I didn’t see any dust this time, since we did a better job of covering them last January.) We had a dozen new ornaments to add, but all of the other decorations were left in place except for the top angel/star. Sure saves time.</p>
<p>Silpat, the hairdryer is a great idea; I’m going to use it on some of my other decorations.</p>
<p>Even if you have an artificial tree you can still get the smell by decorating with other greens (if you aren’t allergic). The back of my car is filled with greens right now and when I get in it smells like a christmas tree lot.</p>
<p>After spending the day yesterday going to the farm to pick out our tree, having difficulty strapping it atop our van, finding it equally as difficult to remove when we arrived home, and nearly killing each other as we put it in the tree stand, I am all for getting an artificial tree.</p>
<p>There was a time not too long ago when I said I would NEVER have an artificial tree, but now that the work of putting up a real tree is getting to laborious, I’m ready.</p>
<p>In the Los Angeles area, you can rent a Christmas tree for the holidays. They deliver and come and get it after Christmas. You can “adopt” a tree if you want, and have the same tree year after year.</p>
