Am I the only one who doesn’t get warm and fuzzy about cutting down trees for a few weeks of decoration and then kicking them unceremoniously to the curb? Christmas: the official chopping block of evergreens everywhere.

It’s one thing to bring home a sapling from Santa’s Qwik Gro tree lot. But consider the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. That’s no mere farmed sprout we’re talking about – this year’s tree is 77 years old. At least the 72′ beauty will be donated to Habitat for Humanity to provide wood for housing projects. (This is the second year the Rock tree is being donated to that organization.)

If you’re thinking, “Very well, you Scrooge, just what do you have in your house?” the answer is that I’ve chosen to decorate a potted rosemary bush that’s been pruned to look like a Christmas tree. We’ve had this bush for 2 years now and during the rest of the year it’s flavored many a meal. No harm done, and sustainable to the core.

Yes, it’s Bah Humbug of me, but I’m delighted to see that alternative trees are growing in popularity. (You can also read Slate’s article about whether it’s greener to go live, go faux, or forgo the tree altogether.)

Image: A. Belani