Growing up in upstate New York, cutting your own tree was an absolute MUST. My Uncle Tom and Aunt Michelle always went all-out with it, choosing the tallest tree we could possibly fit in our living room. Bundled up and red-nosed, we would trek through the snow into the hills of Z’s Trees – a legendary spot in the area. Z’s Trees was a hometown staple. The trees were covered in icicles and snow, and the farm had a charming little woodshed stocked with chocolate chip cookies and watery cocoa. We loved it. The owners would take a Polaroid of each family with their tree and post it on the wall. I remember excitedly scanning the hundreds of photos, looking for my own smiling face. We loved seeing our family photos year after year.
Now, with a family of my own, I’m excited to start our own family’s traditions. I love the look of a carefully decorated tree early in the morning while drinking a cup of coffee. I’m ready for cozy blankets, the sound of my son’s laughter, and the sight of the twinkling lights glowing in our living room. Sure, there’s no snow here in Monterey, but that’s not going to stop us! We’ll be sipping hot cocoa in our sweatpants on Christmas Day in front of our sparkling tree.
Tree care can be child’s play
As parents, we’re always looking for opportunities to help our kids grow. Giving your child some tree-related responsibilities is a great way to do this. Here are some kid-friendly “jobs” to try:
- Tree waterer: Keeping that tree hydrated and checking water levels a few times a week will teach your child to take pride in their work because it is the number one way to keep your tree fresh for the holidays.
- Light police: Assign your child the task of making sure the lights are always turned off when you’re not home or when the family is asleep.
- Pine needle collector: Let your child be responsible for gathering the fallen needles beneath the tree. Either store them for a simmer pot or, try our fun pine needle vinegar idea.
How to properly dispose of your tree
According to Monterey City Disposal Service, Christmas trees can be placed next to your yard waste cart when you’re ready to get rid of it. Trees under 6’ tall do not need to be cut, but trees over 6’ must be cut in half. All decorations, stands, and lights need to be removed. Trees will be collected for the first two weeks of the new year. After the first two weeks, trees must be cut and placed in the yard waste cart. Check with your local trash service to learn when to place your tree curbside in your area.
For more info: realchristmastrees.org/all-about-trees/how-to-recycle/
Use the needles to clean and scent your home
Pine Simmer pots
Teach your kids about the joy of a festive-smelling home. Help them gather the following:
- A sliced orange
- Pine needles or cuttings from the tree
- 12 cloves
Place the ingredients in a pot with a few cups of water and set to simmer on the stove (the back burner is the wisest option). Your home will smell like Christmas Day!
Encourage your kids to get creative with simmer pot ingredients. Cinnamon sticks, lemon, vanilla, apples, and nutmeg are all great holiday scents. What’s their favorite combination?
Pine Needle vinegar
Did you know that pine needles have antimicrobial properties? This kid friendly activity is perfect for your fallen pine needles. Have your kids collect the needles from beneath the tree, and place them in a mason jar. Pack the jar full of needles, then fill to the top with white vinegar. Give it a shake, and ask your kids to shake the jar intermittently throughout the next 3 weeks. You can use this vinegar as a cleaning solution that will have the house smelling wonderful!
For a multi-use scented spray, have your kids add half a cup of their pine vinegar, three cups of distilled water, and a squeeze of dish soap to a spray bottle. You can use this on counters and throughout the home all year.
Aleah Mohamed is a USAF veteran and stay-at-home mom. When she’s not spending time in her garden or at the beach, she’s in the kitchen learning about fermentation and old-world cooking.
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