Burning the Christmas Tree!

Burn, baby burn!

It is an annual event in our home to burn the Christmas tree after the holiday is over. We have been in our home almost 5 years (since we finally had a fireplace), and have burned every tree we've had here.

After all the Christmas decorations are packed back into their tubs, a sad dry Christmas tree just stands there while my husband and his saw-zaw (and a big smile) enters the room. He then calls out to our girls "Girls! It's tree burning time!"

The rule is the girls have to sit on the couch or ottoman if they wish to view the tree being burned. We have a fire extinguisher and a pitcher of water nearby in case of an opps (we've never had an incident, but I like to be prepared just in case). And then the saw-zaw is turned on and Adam starts by cutting the top of the tree off and starting the fire in our fireplace.

Because the tree is so dry, it burns fast and almost looks like a small explosion because the flames are so high up the chimney we can't see the top of the flames. (So when we hear of a forest fire, we know how quickly it catches on fire and burns quickly) It takes about an hour to burn the whole tree, we add a branch and let it burn through, then when the fire dies down we add another branch. Each time a new branch is added the flame goes crazy, so that is why we take it slow.

Adam trims the branches off and makes a pile for the fireplace.

The girls were fascinated by the size of the fire and were very obedient by staying put away from the fireplace. Katie was in awe of how hot it was.

After all the branches have been cut off, all that is left is the trunk and a million needles on the carpet.

Adam then trims the trunk into logs for the next fire.
So this is our Christmas tree tradition.