Forgive me for I have sinned

Who's that?

 

@Sheal

 

What can I say @Songbird without upsetting a lot of our friends here.

 

I’m sorry if I’ve upset you or anyone else. Not my intention.

 

No worries. I hope everyone realises that the only risk is biting of tongues as they are so far in our cheeks.

 

...not sure I'd want to go up and spend my Christmas Day around the tree in the loft every year.

 

Our artificial tree has real pine cones woven in to the branches. We get seeds dropping out sometimes. I wonder if they would germinate? Mind you it's about 20 years old. I do prefer real trees as they smell lovely.

 

Oh no, you haven't upset me @Songbird, far from it. I read/study British history between Romans and Tudors and that often entails reading about interaction with various other countries. The atrocities committed on the human race down the centuries by religious fanatics since the introduction of Christianity, is something I feel very strongly about. I won't say any more, not wanting to trigger what could be a heated debate.

 

To make it worse it's still in it's box !!!!!

 

@simone_in_wiltshire - not pine trees, and the growing of trees for C'mas, or just for timber, is a very important part of our economy up here. They're a crop - just like wheat, barley or potatoes. A lot of them get eaten on a regular basis, mainly due to sheep and deer, so are constantly being replaced, especially on open ground on the lower slopes of hills, whether for a timber crop or simply for rejuvenation of woodland areas/habitats

 

No just "Christians" who forget the teachings of their source of faith about loving their neighbour and being kind to children. Muslims also forget what their founder said about being kind to strangers and animals and respecting women and the partition of India showed a negative side of Hindus and let us not forget that, in the pursuit of obeisance to Communism, Stalin arranged for more Soviet citizens to be killed than even Hitler managed in the gas chambers.

Back to fake Xmas trees, they're not as bad as plastic lawns but I do prefer the natural look, feel and perfume of a real tree so as long as we can afford one that's what we'll have.

 

Just about every religion ever known preaches peace, but only to those who follow that religion. They will happily try to wipe out non-believers without a second thought.
'Twas ever thus.

 

I only have a little 2 foot artificial tree for indoors. Most of the decorations are ones I made and I just cover the whole thing with a plastic bag to stow away from December 27th through to December 15th of the following year.

I have "twig" trees for outdoors that are stored with their decorations still on. They get stowed from January 1st through to December 1st each year.

I do not have a big tree inside or anything else that causes shifting furniture about.

I am not religious but think the 10 commandments are a pretty good start to good morals and ethics and I believe in being fair and kind.

There is at least one religion that often teaches their followers to kill the likes of me. Is it really a religion or a killer cult?

sooo, what I was getting at is that I do like Christmas for all of the good reasons. Feasts, friends, pretty decorations and an atmosphere of joy. It feels magic

 

@fairygirl the last time I visited a stall to buy a Christmas tree was with my dad 50 years ago. Forgive me if the range has changed in decades. We had back then only one type of pine tree, called Kiefer in German.

 

If anyone is short of ideas for Xmas decorations, tiny loaves and fishes to hang on the tree would be in keeping I think. Maybe not actually 5000 tho unless you own a mansion but you could then offer them to your local food bank when the day is over. I'm sure they would be gratefully received