Angie Pascale | Ambassador
I grew up in an artificial tree household. Logically, I can understand why my parents opted for a fake tree. They’re cleaner, require no maintenance and more affordable in the long run. But they lack the magic of a real tree. The adventure of visiting a tree lot, selecting the perfectly shaped tree, strapping it to your vehicle and then praying it doesn’t fly off on the drive home. Then the fresh, piney smell that fills your home and sets the tone of the season. Nothing can replace that tradition or that feeling.
“When we rolled up to the lot, everyone’s head turned. Riding a bright yellow Continental GT, I’ve gotten used to people staring.”
As an adult, I insist on getting a real tree every year. It may not be the most logical or convenient thing, especially when your vehicle is a motorcycle, but it doesn’t feel like holidays without it. So, again this year, my boyfriend and I hopped on our bikes and made our annual trek to the tree lot in search of the perfect tree.
When we rolled up to the lot, everyone’s head turned. Riding a bright yellow Continental GT, I’ve gotten used to people staring. The bike stands out everywhere I go. But it really was a sore thumb among the SUVs and minivans parked in the lot.
The staff greeted us right away, seemingly eager to help us find a tree, but probably more curious to learn why we were there. They can’t possibly plan to take a tree home that day, is probably what they were thinking. But we were. Because when there’s a will, there’s a way. We just needed to find the right tree to fit safely on the bike.
Walking down the first few rows, it didn’t look promising. Everything was at least five feet high. Turning another corner only revealed bigger trees. Row after row, they just got taller and thicker. We wandered around for another 20 minutes, starting to think we should try another lot, when we saw it–the perfect little Charlie Brown tree–tucked away among the big boys. It was just waiting for us to discover it and take it home.
“A few bungee cords and bunch of smiles from the staff and other customers, and we were ready to take our little tree home.”
A few bungee cords and bunch of smiles from the staff and other customers, and we were ready to take our little tree home.
Right now, as my parents are assembling that same fake tree from my childhood and lighting a pine-scented candle for effect, we’re decorating our perfectly sized tree, feeling merrier from the authentic aroma and our amusing adventure.