Used to always cut a cedar from the breaks on the back 40 when on the farm in Arkansas. Now I haunt the local tree lots for the cheapo oddball trees--flat sided, lopsided, holes big enough to drive a toy truck thru, all work for me just fine. As long as it's under $10 I can make it shine. I've been collecting ornaments for a long time and enjoy renewing my acquaintance with them once a year.

I also usually indulge in a "rosemary tree"...or other equally tiny equavalent--I've got a separate set of miniature lights and ornaments for that.

The house is not really big enough for a tree--I have to take one of the 4 chairs out of the living room to fit it in, but come night and the lights go on, it is the soul of the season to me.