A great-grandfather has put up his Christmas tree for the 85thtime after his father first bought it from a toy shop. Douglas Hewitt, 85, has celebrated every Christmas with the artificial tree since he was born. His father bought the tree from a toy shop in Sheffield just months after Douglas was born. The four-foot tree remains the centre point of the Hewitt family household during every festive season. Mr. Hewitt, of South Anston, South Yorkshire, said, "It reminds us of my childhood, our children's childhood and our grandchildren and great-grandchildren's after that. They all come and look at it and smile; it's become part of the furniture. If we didn't put that Christmas tree up, it wouldn't feel like Christmas." The tree was passed down to Mr. Hewitt when he married Mavis. Mrs. Hewitt said, "Year after year we have just carried on using that one. You have to be a bit more careful with it now, as it's _ ." Their daughter, June Murphy, also has fond memories of the Christmas tree. She said, "It was in my grandparents' home and then it was given to us. It looks a little thin now, as each time you get it out something else falls off. It's become a bit of a family joke. Each year someone has to comment 'not again!' But it's a Christmas tradition of getting the tree out that we all love. We'd all be sad to see it go, as I think it would be hard to find such a loved replacement." Mr. Hewitt said, "There were a lot more branches on it, and it's lost its feathers that were all along the edge. There were little candle holders on the ends and little legs on it, but unfortunately they've been lost over the years." Why does her family put up the Christmas tree every year according to June Murphy?
To honor her grandparents. To save the family money. To keep up the family tradition. To create a friendly atmosphere.