×

Putting up, decorating trees a traditional part of the holidays

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Doug Pratt adjusts a ribbon on one of the 50 Christmas trees on display at his store PRATTScape. He said decorating a tree is like art and there is no right or wrong way to do it.

ALPENA — Christmas trees come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are freshly cut from the forest, while others are artificial.

They all share one important trait however: they all warm the hearts of the people who display them during the Christmas season.

For many families, putting up and decorating the Christmas tree is a longstanding tradition and is one that strengthens bonds with one another.

The Chroninger family seeks out their tree at a Christmas tree farm, cuts it, and eventually decorates it together. Staci Chroninger said it has been a family tradition since her and her husband’s daughters, Taylor and Rachel, were young.

Chroninger said the tree doesn’t really have a color scheme or a theme, but is covered in family mementos and heirlooms.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Cindy Cebula poses next to one of her nine Christmas trees in her home. She said she likes the way they make her house look when they are decorated and lighted.

“There are ornaments that we have received as gifts and sentimental ones like the kids’ first Christmas,” Staci said. “We have ornaments remembering family members that are no longer with us, and it is a blend of old, new, and the future.”

PRATTScape owner Doug Pratt has about 50 fully decorated trees in his store in Alpena and has helped his customers customize Christmas trees for their homes and businesses.

He said the perfect Christmas tree is in the eye of the beholder. Pratt said the most basic tree is beautiful, and the most elegant the same. He said decorating a Christmas tree is a type of art, and a bare tree is an empty canvas. Once decorated, the final outcome usually has a hint of the personality of the person or people who hung the lights, bulbs, and ribbons,

“Art is a personal expression so there really isn’t any right or wrong way to decorate your tree,” Pratt said. “There really is no wrong way to do it. ”

Cindy Cebula has nine Christmas trees in her home. She said they vary in size and the amount of decorations on them. She said they are all artificial and loves the ambiance they give her home, as well as the reaction her grandchildren have to the trees.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A Christmas tree with gloves, hats, and scarves is on display at the Banner Realty office in Alpena. People can help decorate the tree with winter clothes that will be donated to the Salvation Army.

Margie Haaxma said Christmas is a special time of year for her and her family because it celebrates the birth of her savior Jesus Christ. One of her trees features gold crowns and crosses, with red lights that softly reflect off of the ornaments. Haaxma said there is no such thing as an ugly Christmas tree and all are special.

“All Christmas trees are perfect because they have the heart of whoever decorated them,” she said. “A Christmas tree is a reminder for me that Jesus died for us. He was born as a savior on Christmas and died on the cross so we may have eternal life. That is what is special about Christmas trees and the holiday for me.”

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A Christmas tree that resembled a dress on a mannequin is on display at PRATTScape in Alpena.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A Christmas tree featuring an outdoor theme is on display at PRATTScape in Alpena. There are about 50 different trees on display at the store.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Margie Haaxma shows off a gold crown ornament that hangs on a Christmas tree at her office. She said Christmas trees remind her of the birth of Jesus and the sacrifice he made on the cross.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz The Chroninger family hauls its Christmas tree out of a Christmas tree farm. Cutting down a fresh tree and decorating it as a family is a long-standing family tradition.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A Christmas tree decked out in the red,white, and blue of the American flag is on display at PRATTScape in Alpena. There are about 50 different trees on display at the store.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A Christmas tree with a sports theme is on display at PRATTScape in Alpena. There are about 50 different trees on display at the store.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today