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We didn't steal one - though I have heard that is a "rite of passage" in Finland for many families. And since we don't have forest of family close by, we ended up buying our second *real* Christmas tree for our home. 

There are plenty of places around at the moment selling trees in shopping center parking lots and on the side of the roads, but we were happy with the one we got last year, so we went back to the same place and bought the same kind of tree. Traditionally in Finland they use [spruce,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spruce) but we bought [Noble fir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_procera) instead, because they are beautiful in comparison to the young spruce, which look like a wicked witch was half way through making herself a new broom handle. 

![IMG_20221221_183113.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tarazkp/23xen7j5T3M96HDXuEJ7fpALdwDWYbM2i2hiqGUhwtxNS8LpXtQup3Pc1RYDYQwnG7o9U.jpg)

There were some that were wrapped already, but we wanted to choose our own because it makes it more of an "experience" - but not as great as stealing one from someone else's forest, I am sure. 

They had a self-serve wrapping station too, so it made it feel even more like I was being manly, as I had to carry the tree all by myself and push it through the tube. I imagine that if I had to cut it also, I would have got blisters and perhaps even some short-lived callouses...

>The horror!

Luckily, I avoided being maimed and scarred for *days.*

![IMG_20221221_182732.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tarazkp/23uQtWJwezo6iNcB5aTF4GzoqNCtyB3KoQ8HREFV5KPoSjM4gejPcNrcKXL5d3uVcNJuD.jpg)

But, half-jokes aside, we have being putting this off due to not having enough time and now, it is pretty much the last moment to get the tree, as we have to "acclimatize" it to the house. 

>Which I think means to show it where the bathroom is, make up a bed, give a guest towel.

Well, not quite. It isn't that cold here as it went above zero again, but we still have to bring it inside a "bit at a time" so it can warm up more slowly. If this isn't done, it will die much faster supposedly and drop its needles quickly. I am starting it in the garage for the night and will move it into a warmer area in the sauna room tomorrow, before bringing it inside. Then, I will bring it inside proper on Friday morning and cut the plastic off to let the branches drop and settle on their own.

>Hopefully, most of the spiders will have vacated by then. 

![IMG_20221221_183048.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tarazkp/23x14sMzcqvw4uVBDTzrKtCrdWGmvtY6m1dF78hReDoMfMFv5YUFFQ9ZfGhMocdC2o6Jy.jpg)

On Friday evening, we will decorate, which is quite late for us, because we prefer to have it done much earlier, since we aren't home for Christmas (celebrated on the 24th in Finland) and it is nice to have the "Christmas feel" for a little while. Though, I am definitely not one of those people who start in November, like many I know. 

>It is nice to have some "cheer" in these dark times.

And now, tree in hand, we are *almost prepared* to *start preparing* for Christmas actual, where we will be visiting my wife's sister's family, instead of hosting. We will host every second year, when there are more people involved as we have a little more space than them, after their move from a house to a city apartment. 

![IMG_20221221_183044.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tarazkp/2423smaDmbv8gE6hduQmckDLF2MdcooTmtVpbnXsdZ9oAkDxXP8yEQpttHgzwQ7hM8WWs.jpg)

But the worst thing happened...

As I mentioned the other day, my wife [broken our pact](https://peakd.com/hive-168869/@tarazkp/grass-is-always-greener) not to get each other presents this year, as she does every year - but I was prepared and had the "perfect present" already chosen. But...

>I wasn't prepared enough. 

They are sold out.

*In the entire country.* 

And won't get any more until early in the new year at the earliest.  

>! [FUCK] DOUBLE FUCK.

So now, she isn't going to get anything at all, which ultimately serves her right anyway, but it looks bad on me, as I had already told her that because *I knew she was going to break the agreement,* I had got her something. So now, I have to find something that is worthy of me being prepared, but have no time to go anywhere other than the local shopping center, which has a supermarket in it - and not one of those American ones with everything - it is one with basic food and even more basic clothes. 

>Best laid plans.

Perhaps I will give her a voucher for free hugs.

>At least we will have a tree.

Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]


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