Christmas Newswire

The Coalition of Environmentally Conscious Growers, a 501-C (6) was founded by two Oregon farms in August 2007. Its mission is to certify that the live Christmas trees grown by its members have been and continue to be responsibly grown. Currently, there are four members of the organization, including the largest and fifth largest tree farms in the United States.

Water and soil management, as well as fertilizer and pest management, are examined by a third-party certifying company that is an experienced agricultural organization. In addition to being certified, members are interested in having their retail customers and the public-at-large further aware of live cut trees. Therefore, a significant marketing campaign is conducted nationally which includes radio, television, print and internet media coverage, plus various sales tools such as point-of-purchase materials and hang tags are made available to members of the Coalition.

Members say that their retail customers really like having the trees certified as “green” because the consumer is highly aware of the green movement in America.

Since the introduction of fake Christmas trees in the United States, a stream of misinformation has been disseminated. The Coalition addresses the marketing and awareness aspects of live cut Christmas trees and dispel the false claims through media. Christmas trees are not deforesting the country. Instead, they are grown as row crops, and for every tree that’s cut, another is planted. The misinformation continues and the Coalition continues to bring the truth to light.

Greg Rondeau and Mark Arkills of Holiday Tree Farms (the country’s largest grower) commented that, “Our customers understand how valuable it is to offer their customers certified grown Christmas trees.” Joe Sharp of Yule Tree Farms said, “I think it’s time for the Christmas tree industry to treat our trees as the eco-friendly consumer product that they really are.”

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The plug may be pulled on the candy canes, Santa characters and toy soldiers that have lit up downtown streets for the past two decades.

There’s a plan in the works to replace the traditional Christmas decorations with “more general winter-oriented designs” as early as this fall.

“In the last few years we’ve got more and more comments on the Christmas decorations getting really dated,” acknowledged Jim Taylor, with the Downtown Business Association, the organization pushing for the extreme holiday makeover.

They were bought in 1987 and refurbished 10 years later, he said.

Taylor vowed the changes would be anything but dull. Among other things, he envisions “spectacular” two-metre snowflakes and stars made from energy-efficient LED lights hanging from light standards throughout the core.

Larger displays could be set up in future years at some of the key entrances into the downtown, Taylor said.

Instead of just being illuminated for the holidays, Taylor said the formations could go up in late October and remain powered until early April.

“Why would we just keep it lit for November, December and January?” Taylor said.

“We’re a winter city. We should be celebrating being a winter city.”

A report to city council estimates the cost of the upgrade at $400,000.

The city would pay the upfront costs - but would be repaid by downtown businesses, who would also foot the maintenance and power costs.

Mayor Stephen Mandel said he likes the idea, stressing Christmas would still be celebrated downtown, even if the colourful lights of Jasper become a plainer white.

“It’s not going to take away from Christmas - I hope not,” he said.

“We’re still going to have a tree, which probably won’t be that energy efficient … and people can look at that.”

Mandel said the manger scene, featuring live animals, will also continue to be set up outside city hall.

Coun. Ben Henderson said he has no problem getting rid of Christmas-specific lights in areas such as Jasper Avenue.

“There’s two things I like about it. One, it’s not just Christmas lighting, it’s winter-long.

“And two, is that there is a commitment to using LED.”

News of the proposed change was met with mixed reaction from Edmontonians enjoying the sun in Churchill Square yesterday.

“White lights have no spirit,” said Julia Buckholz. “I like the (old lights) because they’ve been around since I was a little girl.”

Debra Jinks disagreed, saying the old lights were starting to look “ratty” and that it was worth it to spruce them up.

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Poor Port St. Lucie, Florida. For years they have been teased in the media because their Christmas tree kept dying. Season after season the city spent thousands in an effort to replace a beloved city symbol in a tree that had served well for decades but succumbed to a disease. They planted new trees each year for six year before finally giving up and paying an outrageous rate for an artificial tree last year.

So this year, they are trying to get it right.

Having been burned with an unpopular $11,750 Christmas tree rental last year, city employees are asking council members early this year whether they want to continue renting a pricey tree - and take advantage of an early-bird discount before June 28 - or forego the holiday tradition in this tree-challenged city.

For the second year, Budget Director Dave Pollard is recommending renting rather than buying a faux fir, saying it would cost more to buy an artificial tree and pay crews to erect and store it each year.

Council members tried to cancel the rental for last year in November after learning of the steep price tag but were told it was too late. The Sept. 1 deadline had passed.

Determined not to follow that course again, Pollard wrote to City Manager Don Cooper last week, asking for direction well in advance of the Christmas holidays.

Two council members said they won’t go for the pricey rental but would support buying a cut tree at a fraction of the cost. Vice Mayor Jack Kelly said he will support a tree only if a donor agrees to pay the tab, much like what occurred last year after people complained about the $11,750 rental cost.

“I’ve been told we could get a nice cut tree from up north for about $3,000,” Kelly said. “As much attention as this tree gets, nobody could get better publicity for $3,000.”

Councilwoman Michelle Berger agreed that a live, cut tree is the way to go. Anything is better than the “ugly” artificial tree displayed in front of city hall last year, she said.

“I was disappointed to think that anybody, no matter who it is, wrote a check for $11,750 for that tree,” Berger said. “Buy a cut tree, put it in the middle of the civic center plaza and let it smell like Christmas.”

Parks crews plan to move the annual tree-lighting ceremony from city hall to the civic center being built at U.S. 1 and Walton Road. Eight real Christmas trees have died of mysterious causes on the front lawn of city hall since 1999, prompting the controversial decision last year to rent.

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You don’t have to work yourself into a frenzy to decorate your home for the holidays. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best and can help to reduce the stress level of major holidays. First of all, you don’t have to go run out and buy your
decorations the same year the holiday comes up in. Secondly, have some standbys that are the same year to year. Finally,
keep in mind that many fires can be set with the use of standard decorating elements like candles or improperly
grounded lights. Be sure to be safe as well as beautiful during your holiday seasons.

Create A Decorating Closet

Everyone should have one closet where they store all their seasonal decorations. If you don’t have a closet, then use a
part of your garage or basement. You will want to gradually build up your decorating closet to include all the holidays,
not just Christmas and Thanksgiving. This can be done by shopping after a holiday passes for all the leftover and
discounted decorations. If you store them, they are like brand new when you take them out the following year. You save and you’ve just added a new feature to your decorating style.

Your Favorite Standbys

Obviously, there are some generic favorites: Christmas trees, wreaths, statues, and lights. However, the standby can also be something very individual like a large nutcracker or a Valentine’s Day poster. Dried wreaths are great for storing in
their boxes and bringing out for different occasions. They are even good for casual parties when there is no holiday to
celebrate. Lights should always be reviewed before storing, to make sure they are all in working order and not tangled into a giant mess that you’ll have to unwind the following year. Have some additional lamps as well as string lights to bring more festive accents into your home. Candles are a wonderful source of light but they can be dangerous and should be watched closely during the holiday season.

Safety

Think safety when you are decorating. The fact is if you are decorating you are most likely going to be entertaining too.
So, expect visitors, sometimes with their children to show up to admire your decorations. You will want to make sure your
outlets are safety plugged for small children. If you have pets, never leave them unattended near extra wiring or lit
candles. They can easily chomp down on electrical wires and hurt, if not kill themselves. Also, any natural materials that
you are using in wreaths or as accent plants, like poinsettias,are very dangerous when ingested. Keep them away from pets and small children.

When decorating for the holidays, you can prepare ahead of time. Having a closet or space where you stock your treasures
can be a source of great stress relief the following year. If you aren’t out shopping with everyone else, then you have more
time to enjoy the holidays. Use some pieces as standard decorating “bones” while newer pieces can help to accent the
older pieces. Move the location of your decorations year-to-year to make them different and exciting. Above all,
think safety. Don’t bring in plants that are toxic into a household of small children even if they fit your décor. Try to
understand how to use electric lights in a way that is safe and practical.

About The Author: Hunter Pyle wrote this article for the
purpose of sharing some tips on decorating for the holidays. If
you are looking for more ideas I’d suggest checking out
http://www.shopgetorganized.com/ or http://www.kitchenandmuchmore.com

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The ancient Aztecs considered the poinsettia to be a symbol of purity. Today, poinsettias are the most easily recognized flower symbolic of Christmas. Poinsettias are also known as the “Christmas flower” and “Mexican flame leaf.”

Poinsettias originally came from Mexico and Central America. According to legend, one day near Christmas a child who was too poor to buy a present for the Christ child picked a weed from the side of the road. When he reached the church, the plant blossomed in red and green flowers.

The bright petals of poinsettias are actually leaves or bracts, and the flowers themselves are very small and yellow. The Mexican poinsettia is bright red, but poinsettias also come in cream, yellow, pink and peach.

Poinsettias are named after Dr. Joel R. Poinsett, a US ambassador to Mexico who introduced the plant to the United States. Recent research has shown that poinsettias are not poisonous, as they were long believed to be. Poinsettias can grow to a height of 16′ and thrive in climates where the temperature remains between 50 and 70F.

Kathleen Karlsen is a writer, artist, life coach and design consultant. Karlsen’s art is featured online at www.livingartsoriginals.com, www.livingartsoriginals.com/smallframedmini.htm and www.livingartsoriginals.com/posters.htm.

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Christmas decorating doesn’t have to be a bank-breaking event. There are plenty of ways to create a warm and festive environment with limited resources. Begin by pulling out all the family favorites. Homemade ornaments made throughout the years are far more special than anything you could buy in the store. Display them on your Christmas tree or on top of your mantel; perhaps line them up on your mantel by year as a creative and nostalgic timeline of Christmases past.

When it comes to your Christmas tree, Christmas decorating can be as simple or ornate as your tastes allow. But either way, it doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. Use popcorn garland to adorn your tree; this can be a fantastic project to do with kids. Depending on their ages they can help pop and string their own fancy garland. Dried fruit slices also look beautiful for Christmas decorating.

For Christmas decorating around your home, the ideas are endless. Head outside to collect pine cones – another great activity for the kids – then paint and spray with glitter to construct your own wreath or mantel garland. Or make garland with strips of colored paper or material. Loop the strips through each other and staple together. You can even paint and string small pasta tubes for a unique rope of garland. Suspended from the garland you can attach Christmas cards that you receive throughout the season or holiday pictures from past and present.

Or take your outdoor treasures and fill baskets with pine cones, and branches. Tie ribbons around the basket and add candles of varying heights into the center. You can create a beautiful centerpiece for any holiday table or a beautiful showpiece for other Christmas decorating.

For further ideas on Christmas decorating log on to the Internet. There are virtually thousands of low-cost, creative ideas for Christmas decorating. Many are projects you can do with children as you all prepare for the holiday season ahead.

Christmas decorating is only as limited as your imagination. Let the kid in you come out this holiday season and see where your imagination takes you.

For advice and tons of ideas about the upcoming Christmas visit our ezGuide 2 Christmas.

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