![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/upside-down-christmas-trees-1.jpg\")
<\/a>People may not agree on much these days, but I think everyone believes that life as we know it has become more stressful<\/strong>.\u00a0 Over the past couple of weeks I noticed a strange manifestation of that – lots of people put up their Christmas decorations before<\/em> Thanksgiving.\u00a0 Almost seems sacrilegious to me, but then I’m a big devotee of pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes<\/strong> so I don’t like anyone messing around with a holiday devoted to eating.\u00a0 Still, I get it.\u00a0 If an Elf on the Shelf or Hanukah menorah brings some joy to the world then I say go for it.\u00a0 That said, I read the other day that the latest trend in decorations is the upside down Christmas tree.\u00a0 I got to wondering … why?\u00a0 Why mess with a perfectly good tradition<\/strong> that has held us in good stead lo these many years?\u00a0 So I did some research, only to discover that upside down trees are believed to have been a “thing” dating back to ancient times.\u00a0 History on this is a little sketchy since there was no official paper of record back in the Middle Ages but I’ll try my best to capture the genesis of this rather odd custom.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Suzanne Sparrow Watson People may not agree on much these days, but I think everyone believes that life as we know it has become more stressful.\u00a0 Over the past couple of weeks I noticed a strange manifestation of that … read more![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/St-Boniface-Martyr-194x300.jpg\")
<\/a>The history of the upside down Christmas Tree has its roots in the 7th century. It is during this period that St Boniface<\/strong> journeyed from Devonshire, England to Germany to preach the message of God. \u00a0 He engaged himself in religious as well as social work and spent a lot of his time in Thuringia, a town believed to be the birthplace of the Christmas decoration industry.\u00a0 So we can infer that Hallmark’s original corporate headquarters was, in fact, in Germany.\u00a0 I think Thuringia is also known for beer but that’s a subject better covered by my brother.\u00a0 It is believed that while St. Boniface was in Thuringia he used the triangular fir tree to represent the Holy Trinity<\/strong> as he tried to convert the pagan population.\u00a0 One can only imagine what the native peoples thought of a guy trying to tell them that the local conifer had something to do with the Creation.\u00a0 But apparently he was the Steve Jobs of his time because the converted people started to worship the Fir tree as God’s Tree. \u00a0By the 12th century it became a custom, especially in Europe, to hang the Fir trees upside down<\/strong> from the ceilings to symbolize the Holy Trinity. The Upside down Christmas Trees also signified that the household was one that practiced Christianity. That’s the best history has to offer us on the upside down tree.\u00a0 The real history behind the hanging of Christmas Trees upside down still remains vague. Nowadays the tip of the Christmas Tree is made to point towards Heaven, as many think that an upside down Christmas tree is a sign of contempt.\u00a0 Hmmmmm, given the current social climate, maybe that’s why the upside down tree has become popular.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leg-lamp-268x300.jpg\")
<\/a>In any event, my very limited search for upside down Christmas trees resulted in a very surprising discovery.<\/strong>\u00a0 Walmart is selling a large variety of them this year online.\u00a0 That wasn’t the surprising part since Walmart seems to sell everything.\u00a0 The shock came when I looked at the price.\u00a0 The most expensive one sells for an astounding $910.00!!<\/strong>\u00a0 Apparently wanting to say “up yours” with your Christmas tree is not an inexpensive proposition.\u00a0 The cheapest one was $150.00, which still seems like a lot of money for a fake tree.\u00a0 The larger conundrum is WHO at Walmart is buying these trees?\u00a0 If photos on the internet are to be believed, most Walmart shoppers wear holey sweat pants and muscle shirts with stains on them.\u00a0 Definitely underwear is optional,<\/strong> and if worn, is usually peeking out of baggy pants or spandex tops three sizes too small for the wearer.<\/strong>\u00a0 But who am I to question the marketing geniuses at Walmart? I’m just not sure that the typical Walmart shopper wants to fork over a week’s paycheck on a tree when they can furnish their entire house if they hit the blue light special just right.\u00a0 Then again, I may be underestimating just how stupidly people can spend their money.\u00a0 As for me, I’m on my out to buy “A Christmas Story” leg lamp.\u00a0 Now that’s<\/em> a smart investment.<\/p>\n