Again this week, the Christmas tree hunt will continue. I know it’s getting late, but we should be able to find something that will do.
There are certain requirements for this tree that must be met. The big one, the one that must be kept in mind above all over considerations, is that this tree must be sturdy. Very sturdy.
In past years, we have searched for trees with that perfect Christmas tree shape. Full, but not too full. You want space for some of those longer ornaments to hang. You don’t want them just resting on the tree.
But it has to be thick enough to hide the wires from the lights. Just not too thick.
It’s a careful balancing act, choosing a tree. It reminds me a bit of Goldilocks. Not too big, not too small. Bushy enough, but not too bushy. And now the new requirement.
The branches of a Christmas tree must be able to support the weight of at least one cat. Maybe two. Usually, one watches while the other climbs. I think they are posted a lookout to warn of any possible approaching humans carrying a spray bottle. But there are two of them, and they could very well end up both in the tree at the same time.
Last year, we failed to take cats into account. It had been a few years since we had cats. And in the past, even though there were many cats that went through the house, only one really paid much attention to the tree. And that one seemed to like to stick close to the trunk.
Last year, we had a rather flimsy artificial tree. The cats really enjoyed it. They would leap from any nearby surface into the waiting branches. The branches tried. They tried hard. But they were not able to hold the weight of the cats. The end result was pretty much a Festivus pole.
So this year, it will be a real tree. Hopefully with nice sturdy branches. They kind that will support a cat. maybe even bend a bit and send the cat flying. That might be fun to watch. But it must be sturdy enough to at least hold them.
That’s now right at the top of the list for Christmas tree requirements. Above not too big and not overly full and bushy, it must be able to support the cats.
And I should put some nice strong twine on my shopping list. We should probably tie it to something for added support.