When my daughter was a little girl, we had a very high, arched ceiling in the living room. I'd buy a 14' - 16' real tree, bring it home, cut off the trunk and put it in water to keep it fresh, erect it in the living room, and decorate it. My late ex was usually at sea through all of December, so normally I did all of this all by myself.
I always got the kind of tree that smells so wonderful.... is that a Douglas fir? I don't recall but I know one when I see it, and that is the kind I would insist upon. They don't last as long and drop a few needles even when watered, so they are a bit of work to keep after. I would only have it up from around December 15th-20th through the 31st. We never had an artificial tree. Just not the same.
Anyway, my dear daughter loved those trees, especially when she was little! And how could I not feel the same, watching her happy smile and glistening eyes. I have some wonderful memories of listening to Christmas music, baking Christmas cookies together, and sitting by the beautiful lit tree with her, wrapping presents or reading Christmas children's books together. Each ornament had a meaning. Other than the homemade ornaments, we bought one special ornament every year after looking all over town together for just the right one.
But now, let's face it, I'm older! It's a plain fact and no amount of ignoring it or hiding my head in the sand will make that go away. I'm 70 and no kids live in my house, and the only guest I ever wish to have here is F (and he is not a big fan of Christmas). I don't feel sorry for myself for having no kids around, but it does make it seem pretty pointless to go to all that trouble to put up a tree. If I want to see a pretty Christmas tree and get in the Christmas spirit, I can just look at other people's Christmas trees.