The great Christmas tree-trimming debate

[azziria]

[Poll #1802241]

Comments

[lj_stowaway]

Well, actually, it depends on your definition of tinsel.

If it's the yards-long ropes of shiny bottle-brushy stuff (what I call garland), then I put that on first*, but if it's the short, loose strands of shiny stuff (what we called rain when I was a kid, but is generally called tinsel or icicles) then that goes on last. *g*

*Second, really, after the strings of lights.

[azziria.livejournal.com]

Lights first, baubles second, tinsel garlands LAST.

Marriages have come under threat over this...

[lj_stowaway]

AHAHA! Well, alrighty then!

Unlike your DH (apparently), I know better than to come between OCD and its prey. You win; garland last. *g*

[eremite.livejournal.com]

I'm with you, particularly on the subject of lights then tinsel.

[finduilas-clln.livejournal.com]

I'm not a fan of tinsel, to be honest. I like my Christmas tree a bit understated. But I'm weird like that. LOL.

[portraitofafool.livejournal.com]

So, I voted for last, but now I am wondering--do you mean garland or "icicles" (long, single strands of tinsel that you drape over the tree)?

I still absolutely say last for the "icicles", but garland... I dunno... I've never messed with it other than to wear it in place of a boa a couple of times. Not that I'm a freak or anything. Shut up. But if it is the big, long strings of stuff then I'd have to say put it on first then the lights and then the ornaments. Otherwise said big, long strings of sparklestuff will clog up the tree, mute the lights and obscure the ornaments... and quite possibly knock them off with the potential for breakage.

See? You're not the only with OCD, I am playing this out in my head as a hypothetical, therein applying too much thought to stuff.

We win at life, you know. *g*

[azziria.livejournal.com]

It's garlands (poll wouldn't let me edit it to make things clearer for those of you over the pond).

All this trimming the tree stuff is something you don't think about when in the first flush of lust, but then one day the poor sap finds himself standing there wondering why you've thrown a hissy fit when all he's done is drape a garland or two of tinsel over a tree branch prematurely...

Christmas trees must be real. The lights must be multi-coloured and must not in any way, shape or form flash. And the lights go on first, followed by the ornaments (because how else can you see if you've achieved balance?), with the tinsel last.

Oh, and that tatty and misshapen bit of cardboard with cooking foil stuck over it? Is the star I made for the tree when I was an impoverished student, has sentimental value, and will continue to grace the top of the tree until such time as it falls apart or I die, whichever occurs first.

I have indoctrinated the next generation...

[aguynamedrick.livejournal.com]

I voted for tinsel last, but I forgot to consult my English to American dictionary.

[kitmerlot1213.livejournal.com]

We used tinsel (long strands of tinsel that you drape over the tree)
once when I was a child and it got all over the place and our dog Candy ate some and puked all over the rug and my mom freaked out...so yeah, til this day, my family are more garland (shimmery, almost boa-esque) people then tinsel :)

[gothikmaus.livejournal.com]

I always put tinsel first because, knowing how graceful I can be, I just know I would knock off all the decorations if I put tinsel at the end...

[linaelyn.livejournal.com]

Tinsel: Not At All Cheap Tat, but we don't use it anymore.

We stopped putting tinsel on the tree when the pet rabbits started CLIMBING THE TREE TO EAT THE DAMN STUFF!!! No idea why the tinsel was insanely attractive and the rest of the decorations did not elicit any response (well, except the electrical cord, snaking from the wall-plug to the light-string. THAT was also immensely chewable.) Something to do with them being bunnies of very little brain, no doubt.

Anyway, we fell out of the habit of putting tinsel on the tree, the rabbits lived until YK was about two or three years old, and so my kids never thought of tinsel as something that goes on trees... and so we never put it on after that.

[stellarmeadow.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't that be like icing the cake before you bake it?

[jesseofthenorth.livejournal.com]

You forgot -doesn't go on the tree at all ever again because my retarded cat eats it and then has to go to the vet 2 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!

[lunachickk.livejournal.com]

Before I can answer this question I must ask... do you have a cat?

I used to work at an animal hospital and tinsel not only looks silly hanging out of of their butts but it can more seriously kill cats. I don't use it for that reason.

[shinysylver.livejournal.com]

I assumed you meant the long strands, so I said last although I've never actually used it...too messy. I do use garlands and those go on at the same time as the lights so that they can be properly balanced.

Of course this year we didn't put out Christmas decorations because my cats are still adapting to the new house and have a nasty habit of climbing things, chewing cords, and eating things they shouldn't. Maybe next year.

[mecurtin.livejournal.com]

Tinsel goes on last, but only if BOTH (a) you have no cats, and (b) you have no taste.