With the arrival of Christmas come family traditions. Some traditions can be considered universal, while others are adopted by each family thanks to customs passed down through generations. Shawn Hundertmark is one of those people who has taken Christmas to another level. He has 15 Christmas trees in his house, twelve inside and three on the porch.
The Christmas tree has different meanings
Putting up a Christmas tree, decorating it with lights, placing a star on top, and placing gifts at its base is one of the most universal traditions shared by people in different parts of the world. According to Christian tradition, the Christmas tree symbolizes Paradise, where Adam and Eve ate the forbidden apple, giving rise to original sin. On the other hand, the Christmas tree also represents the tree of eternal life, being evergreen, and serves as a reminder that Jesus came to Earth to bring about reconciliation. In other words, the Christmas tree has different meanings. There are also those who put it up simply because it’s always been done, without questioning the origins of this tradition. And that, too, is a reason.
“I try to imitate everything she (his mother) did when we were children,” said Hundertmark, 49, who has taken family traditions to the extreme. In fact, in the living room of his 2,100-square-foot house, there is a 12-foot Christmas tree adorned with a mix of ornaments. This year, many people have opted for two Christmas trees. Some households place one in the dining room and another in the entryway or living room, creating a festive atmosphere in two different corners of the house. In Hundertmark’s case, the “main” tree flanks the dining room sideboard. He also has red and gold-themed evergreen trees with ornaments inherited from his grandmother, he explains.
“I want a tree in every room”
“I love Christmas,” Hundertmark said, echoing his mother’s words: “I want a tree in every room.” And so he did. In fact, Hundertmark’s living room boasts a Disney tree, while his office features a black-painted Star Wars tree. He even has a tree in the kitchen and in each of his two bathrooms. The story doesn’t seem to be unique, as for more and more people, one Christmas tree simply isn’t enough.
But it’s not just about the increasing number of trees per household; another trend will be the increase in their size and height, according to data provided by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA). Previously, trees purchased in the UK were around 6 feet tall, approximately 1.82 meters, but now people are buying shrubs between 7 and 8 feet tall, both exceeding two meters in height.
Twenty percent of those who have a Christmas tree this year plan to have more than one
The placement of the tree (or trees) really depends on the size and layout of your home. In fact, location is just as important as deciding on its size. If you live in a small apartment, choose a small tree, which you can make more visible by placing it on a side table, elevating it. “I have 13 trees this year,” another Facebook user said, so if the goal is to have more than one tree, the advice about placement isn’t as relevant, we might say.
Finally, the price of fir trees hasn’t changed much compared to last year. Specifically, in the UK, a Nordmann fir costs between 44 and 55 pounds, and the cheapest, a red fir, costs around 25 pounds. According to local media, this amount is included within the 822 pounds that, according to a YouGov survey, each family will spend on average this Christmas. Twenty percent of those who have a Christmas tree this year plan to have more than one, according to the same YouGov survey. However, according to the same data, most people don’t have the money or the space to afford a Christmas of this scale, to say the least.