A lot of people don't live in an area where they have the luxury of going out into their backyard and hacking down a fine fir or spruce for their christmas tree. I'm talking mostly about the people in the west or the south, these trees simply do not grow there. To get the good stuff, you have to go where the temperatures are frigid because that's where they thrive. So a common substitute for having a christmas tree in the living room (which is very difficult to truck around and transport to your home and setup) is to hang a christmas wreath instead! Same pine needles, which will shed if you have a natural wreath but a fraction of the hassle. Of course the natural aroma of Balsam Fir will fill your room giving it that christmasy feel.