if you get a live tree (with the root ball attached) then you don't have to clean up anything cause it doesn't dry out and loose it's needles.
there are also some varieties of spruce tree that have slightly thicker waxier needles that don't get rdopped as much, (and they arn't sharpe either like the traditional norwegian spruce needles).
speaking of nativity scenes...
whilst in town on saturday I saw a nativity scene in a toy shop...
three wise men, mary joseph + baby jesus in the window...
and there was a woman outside, kneeling on the ground, with rosary beads, preying to the baby jesus...