Chille stops outside the Duane Reade to admire the goods and hear the pitch.

Chille stops outside the Duane Reade to admire the goods and hear the pitch.

Every year, NYC is taken over by the Canadians. They set up these tree stands on every corner and they make the city smell FANTASTIC.

Every year, at this time, NYC is taken over by the Canadians. They set up these tree stands on every corner, which makes the city smell FANTASTIC.

The sellers are mostly young men who says things like "aboot" and "eh". They make elaborate tree forts and live at thier stands for weeks right up to Christmas Day.

The sellers are mostly young men who says things like "aboot" and "eh". They make elaborate tree forts and live at their stands for weeks right up to Christmas Day.

Chille knows one thing for sure: he wants a tree his size...

Chille knows one thing for sure: he wants a tree his size...

Since "They Might Be Giants" have a hit song for Kids called 'C is for Conifers', Chille debates the finer points of a Frasier versus a Douglas with ease...

Since They Might Be Giants have a hit song for Kids called 'C is for Conifers', Chille debates the finer points of Frasier versus Douglas with ease...

As a street-savvy New Yorker, Chille drives a hard bargain...

As a street-savvy New Yorker, Chille drives a hard bargain...

They finally agree on 25 bucks, including tax, tip, and delivery... What more can I say other than it's New York versus New Brunswick!

They finally agree on 25 bucks, including tax, tip, and delivery... What more can I say other than it's New York versus New Brunswick!

And although Jean Michel sleeps in his car while selling, he has built an AWESOME tree fort.

And although Jean Michel sleeps in his car while selling, he has built an AWESOME tree fort.

As Jean-Michel saws off the end for a fresh cut, I can't help but fondly recall my father chopping down our family's tree with my brothers, as we plodded through the thick snows of Minnesota...

As Jean-Michel saws off the end for a fresh cut, I can't help but fondly recall my father chopping down our family's tree with my brothers, as we plodded through the thick snows of Minnesota...

Chille, tree, and new friend head through da Hood...

Chille, tree, and new friend head through da Hood...

Once back home, Chille spies our ornaments. Since New Yorkers don't have attics or basements, our sentiments can be filed away every year in a file folder...

Once back home, Chille spies our ornaments. Since New Yorkers don't have attics or basements, our sentiments can be filed away every year in a folder...

Chille carefully unfolds the homemade 'paper doll' ornaments.

Chille carefully unfolds the homemade 'paper doll' ornaments.

'Homer Kissing, circa 2004'

'Homer Kissing, circa 2004'

We laugh at our older ones, marked with the date, and talk about new designs that we will make this year and beyond...

We laugh at our older ones and talk about new designs that we will make this year and beyond.

Just another ordinary day in an extraordinary city...

Just another ordinary day in an extraordinary city...