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In our house, I had a steadfast rule that we would always have a live tree for Christmas. I didn't care that positioning the tree in its stand might be catastrophic, or that needles would shed for 25 days. To me, you had the pine smell, and the beauty of nature in your living room. And, if you were so inclined, you could actually buy a "living tree" that you could plant (or have planted) after the holidays so that the tree could be used during the next holiday season.

Well, this year, we've opted for a change. I still find it hard to believe, but we have an artificial tree. Please don't judge us. It's just that I became obsessed with having a white tree and -- you must admit -- finding a live white tree is tricky, if not impossible. (By the way, for the trend-conscious:  fashionistas have deemed that red trees and black trees are in vogue this year, too… also tricky to find live). And the other option to procuring a white tree -- "flocking" a green tree -- I haven't done since I was in seventh grade. As I remember that experience, the four kids in our household got more white puffy goo on each other than the tree and got sent by my mother to the showers immediately.

Plus, as if finding a white tree for our living room wasn't enough -- which ties in with our holiday-time aqua, emerald and magenta color scheme (I’ll admit this color scheme is not everyone in the home’s favorite) -- I realized that these artificial trees actually come "pre-lit." I know this is hardly news to many, but not having to wind strands of bulbs around-and-around the tree making both me and the tree dizzy held an instant allure.

So, now that we have a beautiful, multi-colored lit white tree in the corner of our living room, I've been on the lookout, drafting ideas for real "pine" scents and smells to complement its artificial nature… because, at this point, that seems to be what I miss most about having an artificial tree. So, in that quest, a devoted friend dropped off a hearty, evergreen, pinecone-festooned wreath that fits wonderfully on our front door. And, since it's made of fresh garland, it ushers in a delightful scent when you open our front door into the living room.

Speaking of garland, you can always wrap and fashion it around stairway banisters and the tops of mantles, below countertops and above doorways. Add ribbon bows and cheery glass ornaments, and you've brought in even more scent-filled decoration to your home-based wonderland experience.

And, if you still feel intent on having at least some examples of living trees in your home, check out the miniature ones, sure to be available at home stores and your nearby nurseries. They'll bring in that heady pine scent, and they're easy to pop up in a variety of places in your home.

You just can't find them in white.