WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR EX-CHRISTMAS TREE

Many of us have a problem ditching Christmas trees after the fun’s all over. It’s already D AY ONE: 2023. Making sure all the ornaments have been removed. Check again. You’re bound to fine some hidden away where you can’t see 'em. Pack them away until the next Christmas comes along.

You’ve got needles falling off on the living room floor. You toss the tree out the back door and try to forget about it.

Each time you go in the backyard, there it is, an eyesore.

Look at it this way: Birds fly into it and disappear in what’s left of the greenery. Think of it as a winter habitat for birds and other small wildlife. You can help them out by filling pinecones with peanut butter and put them in there.

Your old Christmas tree becomes a habitat for them over the winter months with evergreens offering a safe haven for birds and small animals.

Author’s comment: What might be worth looking into: Does your municipality have a drop-off site where you leave your tree, along with others doing the same, which are chipped up and used as compost? Now that’s a bright idea.

Happy New Year. And let’s make it a good one.

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS? WILD!

I must admit I’m not my best at Christmastime. Probably because buying something for someone close always leaves me wondering if they‘ll like it? Will they ever wear it? Use it?

At a party sometime later you see them not wearing that wool sweater you gave them.

Not that they should have to wear it right away. But it would be a nice gesture if they did, knowing we’d be at the same dinner party.

It’s easy for women to buy for male friends or husbands. We’re open for anything. Sweaters, shirts – no ties please – or whatever. New tires for a relatively older car that’s kept around because it’s a soft top.

Buying a present for my wife Rosanne always befuddles me. She might mention something she’s thinking of buying for herself earlier in the year and does so before I have a chance to, and should have earlier.

I’ve got the answer. Get out a recent catalogue or whatever. Hand it to her. “Give me an idea,” I say.

Rosanne flips through it, stops at the purses. She points to one and voila, I’m pleased.

It’s a nice soft brown leather with straps to put over a shoulder and shorter ones for just carrying it.

Author’s comment: It’s Christmas day. We don’t open presents until our son, Nathaniel, comes, living not far away. She might not be surprised with hers, but both know she’ll love it.

Merry Christmas by the way.