Christmas Tree Mishaps

[AllardChardon]

In National Lampoon's Christmas, the cat electrocutes itself and takes out the tree at the same time.

At our house last year, Jim, the father of my brood, was sitting on the floor in front of the tree, playing Santa and passing out presents when our oldest son yelled out, "Watch out Dad! The tree is falling!" He jumped up and caught the tree before it hit Jim in the head. We promptly tethered the top heavy tree to the wall with fishing line.

Yesterday, Jim and I were getting the noble fire tree we cut in the forest over a week ago into place for decoratation in the upstairs living room. Once in its proper place, he filled the reservoir with a gallon of water. A minute later, Jim said it still needed more water. So, without looking, I told him to get some more.

When the second gallon of water was empty, Jim yelled, "Oh my God, the tree stand is leaking!" Yes, two gallons of water had leaked out and was disappearing into the floor, which is the celing for the downstairs living room.

We rushed downstairs to see the water pouring out of the ceiling throught the ceiling light and fan fixture. And the light was o!. It looked like a waterfall. Quickly, I turned off the light and we grabbed towels to dry up the water and a bucket to catch the drip. It continued to drip for an hour and we taped over the light switches, so no one could turn on the overhead light until it had dried sufficiently. Geez.

I hope three is not the charm! Anyone else have any tree mishaps?

 

[glynndah]

In National Lampoon's Christmas, the cat electrocutes itself and takes out the tree at the same time.

At our house last year, Jim, the father of my brood, was sitting on the floor in front of the tree, playing Santa and passing out presents when our oldest son yelled out, "Watch out Dad! The tree is falling!" He jumped up and caught the tree before it hit Jim in the head. We promptly tethered the top heavy tree to the wall with fishing line.

Yesterday, Jim and I were getting the noble fire tree we cut in the forest over a week ago into place for decoratation in the upstairs living room. Once in its proper place, he filled the reservoir with a gallon of water. A minute later, Jim said it still needed more water. So, without looking, I told him to get some more.

When the second gallon of water was empty, Jim yelled, "Oh my God, the tree stand is leaking!" Yes, two gallons of water had leaked out and was disappearing into the floor, which is the celing for the downstairs living room.

We rushed downstairs to see the water pouring out of the ceiling throught the ceiling light and fan fixture. And the light was o!. It looked like a waterfall. Quickly, I turned off the light and we grabbed towels to dry up the water and a bucket to catch the drip. It continued to drip for an hour and we taped over the light switches, so no one could turn on the overhead light until it had dried sufficiently. Geez.

I hope three is not the charm! Anyone else have any tree mishaps?

Oh, yes. We buy a live tree every year, one with a rootball of dirt encased in burlap that we can plant outside. The root ball is placed in a washtub and watered thoroughly. Two years ago the wash tub developed a crack and water poured out, soaking the hardwood floor for hours and hours while we both were at work. We sopped up the water and dried the boards as best we could, but if you look carefully, you can still see the water damage.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

I haven't had any tree mishaps in years, but the one we always have to talk about involved my mother when I was a teenager. I was getting ready to take a bath and I heard a "thud" and all sorts of curses. The tree had fallen over on my mom while she was trying to decorate it and it kept falling over. By the time I got out there to see what was wrong, she'd taken a hammer and nailed the tree stand to the living room floor.

 

[The_Fool]

The worst one I know of happened to some friends of mine. Dry tree, old lights combined to make no more living room. Not a good Christmas present.

 

[jomar]

Years a go I was at a party. A David Bowie song was playing, loud. Timing it just right the drunk guy standing with his back to the tree sang along - "Wham bam thank you ma'am" and threw his arms out. He lost his balance and fell backwards into the tree. Much turmoil and hilarity ensued.

 

[Katyusha]

My father has a nine foot artificial tree that he puts up, and naturally because none of us has a nine foot reach we have to stand on something if we're going to get a sufficient amount of decorations near the top. Years ago, before all us kids scattered, we were decorating and he was standing on a chair putting ornaments near the top. He took a step toward the edge of the chair for a better reach, which must have put it off balance, because the next thing we knew he fell into the tree and rode it all the way down to the floor. He was fine and we were laughing our asses off for an hour as we cleaned up the shattered ornaments and bent the branches back into place.

 

[AllardChardon]

Those are some great stories. Except for the fire. I hope no one was hurt.

I have one more actually. Year before last, I picked out a tree in a forest that was in the shadow of another tree. I always try to take less desirable trees, if possible with a bare spot on one side that will be hidden by our wall. Once, I cut a tree, I have to take it home. I will not discard it and go after another tree for vanity's sake.

Well, this noble fir was a crooked-neck affair right in the upper third of the tree. Huge bare spot. I brought it home and my kids said I found the only Charlie Brown tree in the forest. We remedied the problem by flying a 14 inch high Superman through that section. He was sideways with one arm out straight in front of him and the other tucked in by his side. It was a very funny looking tree.

 

[DesertPirate]

1983 First married Christmas. one and a half year old Golden Retriever is so excited by the tree he is running around and around it, until, he knocks it over. Wife's 3 year old (now my oldest daughter) scolded him no end and he laid there and took it

Wife and I were laughing so hard it took awhile to pick the tree back up

 

[AllardChardon]

Anyone else have a Charlie Brown tree out there this year?

 

[glynndah]

Anyone else have a Charlie Brown tree out there this year?

Mine comes very close. Less than three feet tall and the branches...? Well, let's just say there's room for a generous supply of tinsel between them. And the trunk seems to have spent quite a bit of time dodging sunbeams. More than an "S" shape, it comes pretty close to serpentine.

On the other hand, the cats have left it completely alone this year. It's obviously beneath their notice as proper prey.

 

[JagFarlane]

Anyone else have a Charlie Brown tree out there this year?

-chuckles- its actually Magicas first Christmas on her own without a Charlie Brown tree. Typically she goes out and brings back one of the smaller scrub pines that grows on the hill near her house.
However, this year I took her to a local tree farm, and asked her to pick one out. LOL problem was, she was so used to CB trees, she thought each one of them looked great. So...we ended up taking the second tree that we looked at.

 

[AllardChardon]

Here's to all the trees out there that came indoors and allowed themselves to be decorated and adored during the Christmas season by mere humans. I do love the Christmas tree the most of all.

 

[PositiveThinker]

In National Lampoon's Christmas, the cat electrocutes itself and takes out the tree at the same time.

At our house last year, Jim, the father of my brood, was sitting on the floor in front of the tree, playing Santa and passing out presents when our oldest son yelled out, "Watch out Dad! The tree is falling!" He jumped up and caught the tree before it hit Jim in the head. We promptly tethered the top heavy tree to the wall with fishing line.

Yesterday, Jim and I were getting the noble fire tree we cut in the forest over a week ago into place for decoratation in the upstairs living room. Once in its proper place, he filled the reservoir with a gallon of water. A minute later, Jim said it still needed more water. So, without looking, I told him to get some more.

When the second gallon of water was empty, Jim yelled, "Oh my God, the tree stand is leaking!" Yes, two gallons of water had leaked out and was disappearing into the floor, which is the celing for the downstairs living room.

We rushed downstairs to see the water pouring out of the ceiling throught the ceiling light and fan fixture. And the light was o!. It looked like a waterfall. Quickly, I turned off the light and we grabbed towels to dry up the water and a bucket to catch the drip. It continued to drip for an hour and we taped over the light switches, so no one could turn on the overhead light until it had dried sufficiently. Geez.

I hope three is not the charm! Anyone else have any tree mishaps?

I don't know if this counts as a Christmas tree mishap, but we finally bought our Christmas tree yesterday (lol). We're having work done, a new kitchen and have been living with workmen for 3 months. Finally, with the cabinets up, countertops installed, appliances in place, and the hardwood floor redone, they are nearly finished.

When we went to finally buy a Chistmas tree, we knew the pickings would be slim. Yet, as soon as we pulled to the nursery, there sitting in front of our parked car was a 5' Douglas Fur potted tree. It was more expensive than the typical 8' tree we buy each year, but we can plant this tree in our backyard in the Spring. It made so much sense, plus the man gave us 20% off.

I think it's the best tree we've ever owned because it only took us an hour to decorate with lights and ornaments (lol) instead of having to struggle with a giant tree in the house.

Happy holidays.

 

[AllardChardon]

That's a double green button for you, Positive Thinker. One for not killing a tree (I always leave enough of the trunk for the tree to survive and grow a new head or two) and two for planting it in your yard.

I like the noble firs best, so I should buy a smaller one in a pot and let it grow over the next few years, using it each year.

But then, I would miss the trip into the local forest to find the one that I hope will not mind being brought into my home to be adored. It is the center or the heart of Christmas for me.

I read that to do honor to the tree when Christmas is over, you should burn it. Jim, my ex, also has thrown our tree in the Upper Sacramento River to create habitat for the fish. The Upper Sac is a small stream where I live, so it makes sense and is recommended by the local environmentalists.

Either way, I always am sad to see it come down and take the time to thank the tree for the lovely gift of creating Christmas magic in our home.