What tune do you hum as you haul, position and light the family Christmas tree? Does the thought of the tree selection process get you singing like Clark Griswald or grumpy like a Grinch? O Christmas Tree or O Tannenbaum is a German Christmas Carol about a fir tree. A number of German musicians have been inspired to pen songs about a snow covered fir tree throughout the years. The song loses its romance after the O Tannenbaum part……”O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum, wie grun sind deine blatter” which I think means from my high school German classes something about green branches delighting us. 
There is no doubt the fragrance and evergreen nature of these trees draw us to them at Christmas, it’s the decision making process that creates the tension. I’ve cut, carried and tied to car roof tops my share of trees thoughout the years. At night you come home smelling like a Tannenbaum. That’s the good part, the downside is your pants is full of needles. I have always with amusement watched the family debates in the tree selection process. Every family has a perfectionist that can’t make up their mind and another person who is willing to take the first tree they see and get it over with. All the other family members are caught somewhere in the middle. The end result is a debate somewhere between Deal or No Deal and a Senate Filibuster. I end up being Howie Mandell without the girls and their suitcases. One thing you can bank on is that consensus is directly proportionate to the outdoor air temperature. If it is 20 degrees and snowing you’ll be amazed at how quickly a group of people can find agreement. That’s why I found this video to be interesting. Ever wonder how the White House selects their tree? Technically, the White House staff picks out a number of trees including trees for Camp David, Blair House, the Oval Office, etc. The official White House tree however is in the Blue Room and has to be just right. Check out the part where they practically climb into the tree……what are they looking for, “bugging” devices or is it a Homeland security procedure? Watch and learn as you watch the video……O Christmas tree O Christmas tree, your branches green delight us!
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