DanielleGardenGirl

That's so awesome that you've had the same tree since the 60's, Denizer! I wish everyone who owned an artificial tree treated it as a family heirloom. Unfortunately, lots of people don't hang onto these trees indefinitely and millions end up in landfills across the country. If the trees are older, they tend to contain lead and/or heavy metals which mean they cannot be recycled as many other plastic products can.
I definitely don't advocate going to a tree lot and buying a pre-cut tree that been trucked there from another state--but most states (including California) have a Christmas Tree Growers Association that you can call (or go to their website) to find local farms. These farms MUST replant their stock every year, or they will go out of business.
I love the idea of going onto Craigslist to find a "pre-loved" tree. I hope you plan on passing your tree onto your kids/family--it sounds like it has got some serious holiday history!

How terrible to be a gardener and be allergic to evergreens! Are you just allergic to conifers--or broad leaf evergreens too? I had friend who was allergic to firs (and everything in that genus) so she always had a holly as her "Christmas tree". And I've known others who have stuck to the Ilex genus as well because they are sensitive to pines (how beautiful would a winterberry or inkberry be as a fresh option for a tree?).

I’m actually a HUGE fan of my Smith and Hawken pruners. They have all the same bells and whistles as Felcos--but have orange handles instead of red. I was thoroughly offended when a friend once called them, “Felco-Knockoffs.”