Would you consider adopting a holiday tree? How about renting one? Buying a tree that looks like a patriotic bottle brush? Here are some holiday tree ideas that stray from the beaten path:

Inside First Baptist Church in Hopewell, the Christmas story will come to life this weekend. Parishioners have put together a three-day live production that will take visitors to the small city of Bethlehem as it was 2,000 years ago.

Mildred Emerson’s choose-and-cut tree farm in Chester is a typical Virginia Christmas-tree operation. It’s family-owned and operated. It welcomes back repeat customers every season. And it isn’t the family’s sole source of income. “We just make enough to pay the taxes,“ Emerson said of the 15-acre spread. “We hold onto the farm for our grandchildren.“

Katie Schools’ vision of Virginia is hanging on the Christmas tree of America’s first family. First lady Laura Bush presented the White House Christmas tree yesterday on national television, and Katie’s ornament was singled out on several morning programs. The 8-year-old Henrico County girl depicted a cardinal (her school mascot as well as the state bird), dogwood blossom and the Blue Ridge Mountains, in keeping with the national theme of red, white and blue.

What is Advent? It’s that time of year again when nifty Advent calendars, temptingly positioned at child’s-eye view, are stacked on shelves in almost every store just waiting for the day when each of the 25 window covers will be pulled back and the surprise hidden within will be revealed.

During the season of Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, Christians hear Scripture readings and sermons about the events that preceded the birth of Jesus Christ.

Trim the household budget or trim the tree? Even in grinchy economic times, homeowners shouldn’t have to make that choice. There are endless ways to festively decorate a home without spending too many of those precious dollars.

Christmas tree growers are optimistic about sales this year, even in the midst of a national Scrooge-like economic atmosphere. For tree growers, the bright side is that shoppers feeling less wealthy this year might be more drawn to the spirit-lifting experience of choosing a Christmas tree.

If you’re looking for a way to help a needy family or person this year but don’t know how, Hanover County’s holiday program might be just what you’re looking for.