I remember back in the 50’s we would gather up all the tree in the neighborhood and place them in a small garage on the block we lived and save them for year years eve! Then someone would lite them up and we just watched them go up! they were in a safe place across the street in the monastery grounds from us away from any buildings or people.

We watched till we heard the fire dept coming then ran away We did it a number of years in a row then it ended. Not something I would consider today but it was a different time..