VIDEO: Columbus Prepares for Christmas Tree Shopping

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI news)- It’s starting to get colder in the Golden Triangle, and with that comes families preparing for a five hundred year old tradition… Christmas tree shopping.

It has been a part of the Christmas season for centuries.

Artificial trees also have their history, but with that comes the lack of an adventure.

“It’s part of a Christmas tradition I think… That part of the tradition is finding a new tree. When you have a fake tree, you pull it out of the storage and you set it up, which is nice, but it’s a little bit different when we have to search for the tree with your family, and you find out ‘hey! This is our tree,’ and you feel a sense of ownership,” said Columbus resident Dan Rondez.

It’s an experience that families enjoy and pass down.

And this is in no way a one-sided deal.

Local business owners, get their own enjoyment through the interactions with the families that come into their stores.

“If you have children… the excitement of picking it out, you know, it’s a family thing. We’ve watched generations come in and grow up, and now they’re bringing their kids in.” said owner of Smith Landscaping Alan Smith.

“It’s a tradition that we want to keep on going with our kids, to always have a real life tree and go out as a family,” said Columbus resident Desiree Krieger.

It’s no secret; artificial trees are convenient.

However, some people would go as far as saying that the fight to make that real tree yours adds to the fun of it.

“I think it’s just being able to put your ornaments on and know that you kind of have to work with the tree, instead of making the tree work for you,” said Columbus resident Emily Rondez.

Multiple reasons are given, and multiple trees are taken.

Through all of the logic that people come up with to put real over artificial, there is one thing that everyone can agree on.

“I think it’s the smell.”
“It’s definitely the smell.”
“I like the smell.”
“The smell is a huge thing.”