Real or Fake Christmas trees

so me & DH are butting heads about what kind of tree to get

i always thought artifical trees are easier to take care of. this is our first year in our house. the only reason i am against real trees is because we both have hectic schedules and know you have to water it frequently. also, i heard the needles cause a mess.

am i over reacting?? should i break down get a real one.

what kind did everyone get? what are the pros & cons of both.

I know its a little early but i'm excited about our first Christmas in our house

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

I've always had fake trees. Still looks pretty to me and you can reuse it. I think it's such a shame to cut a tree down and then throw it out.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

We have a fake tree. The three reasons for this are:

1. I would be the one cleaning up after a real tree and probably having to remember to water it.

2. We travel a lot during the holiday season.

3. I hate the smell of pine.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

It is our first Christmas in our house as well and for that reason alone, we are getting a real tree.

We had to get a fake one every year when we lived in our tiny apartment so now we are very excited about getting a real one.

I dont mind if needles fall, I vaccuum every other day anyway so no big deal

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

We had the same debate, but DH is the one who wants a fake tree. I had a real tree my whole life and I decided to cave and get a fake tree, as long as we buy a real wreath for the front door.

In my experiences with the real tree, yes you have to water it and cant put it up that early because it will get dried out and cause a mess. It does get a bit messy but its really not that big of a mess.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

We get real.

We both grew up always having real trees.

Last yr was our first Christmas in our own home...we got a real tree.

I won't lie, the needles were a pain to clean up, but it smelled so good and we loved it

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

Had fake ones in the past but this year and from now on we will get real trees.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

We got real for the first time this past year. We got the huge garbage bag that you can throw it out in. Made clean up very easy. There is nothing like sitting next to a real tree compared to a fake tree. I know it sounds silly, but there is a difference.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

Fake and prelit--one in white lights for my diningroom and one in colored for my den.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

We get fake since I am allergic to pine.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

We get a real tree.

I grew up always having a real tree and I cant imagine it any other way.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

We get a real tree.

We enjoy the experience of going together to pick it out, the smell & the look of a real tree. We have very hectic schedules as well but it isn't as much maintenance as you would think.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

We are getting a real tree this year now that we have a house.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

My mom has kept the same tree since my oldest brothers first Christmas and she still has it and none of us will let her get rid of it because it reminds us of all of our childhood Christmas'. So I'd love to have a tree that I can keep year after year that my children look forward to every Christmas too and sorta have the same tradition.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

I want a fakie and DH wants a real one...we're having the "first xmas in the house" talk too about it...I just feel like fake is so much easier and since I know I'll be the one watering the tree and cleaning up after it, I want a fake!

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

Artificial Tree
Pros:
no mess
less of a fire hazzard
fuller
you can get them prelit

Cons:
it's fake
can be expensive



Real Tree:
Pros:
pine smell (if you like that)
you dont have to find a place to store it
it's fun to pick one out

cons:
pine smell (if you don't like that)
Can be messy but definitely managable (they have large bags that you can put them in to minimize the mess when you dispose of it)
can be fire hazzard if you let it get dried out



I say get a real tree this year - it takes 2 minutes to make sure it has enough water then get an artificial tree after Christmas when they are all on sale.

Message edited 11/8/2009 11:54:27 PM.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

Posted by Christine

Artificial Tree
Pros:
no mess
less of a fire hazzard
fuller
you can get them prelit

Cons:
it's fake
can be expensive



Real Tree:
Pros:
pine smell (if you like that)
you dont have to find a place to store it
it's fun to pick one out

cons:
pine smell (if you don't like that)
Can be messy but definitely managable (they have large bags that you can put them in to minimize the mess when you dispose of it)
can be fire hazzard if you let it get dried out



I say get a real tree this year - it takes 2 minutes to make sure it has enough water then get an artificial tree after Christmas when they are all on sale.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

We used to get real trees, but bought a fake one last year. So much easier to take care of. We are having a party in early December, so we can have the tree up for a month and not worry about it looking nice on Christmas day. Much less of a fire hazard. I also feel bad chopping down all those trees every year, just to toss them out. I know that plastic isn't good for the planet, either, but it will last us for a very long time.

It's actually much cheaper spending $$ on a fake tree. Real trees are getting expensive, and it's a recurring cost. Decent trees are going for $40+. A few years of that, and you spent more than a really nice fake one.

I do miss the pine smell, though. Maybe we'll get a pine wreath or garland.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

We've been using a fake one the last few years. We go to NY for at least a week around the holidays and leave the cat home (fam/friends go by to feed/play with her while we're gone) and I wouldn't want to leave her alone with a real tree!

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

I always had artificial trees growing up but Chris always had real ones. So we compromise. We put an artificial one up downstairs near the fireplace and then we go to this beautiful Christmas Tree farm down here in Virginia and chop down a real for the living room upstairs.

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

We always had real trees growing up and since we've lived on our own. I love the smell of a real tree, (though it doesn't last long). The price of them though is very high considering it's going to die in a couple of weeks. I keep saying every year we need to get a fake one. I'm the one who waters it, cleans up after it and decorates it. Such a pain to put lights on a real tree. Especially if you have to redo it over and over again. LOL!

But now having kids they love looking for a tree and I enjoy that experience with them. Maybe we can afford a fake one next year. (I keep saying that too!)

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

Re: Real or Fake Christmas trees

I have had a fake tree for years. I grew up with real trees when I was a kid. LOVE the smell. HATE to deal with a real tree.

Pros to fake:

- No hassle to find the perfect tree
- Same perfect shape every year
- Cheaper after a few years
- No watering
- No needles to vacuum in the carpet (real PITA!!)
- No disposal after the Holiday and having to wrap this baby (cut and twine) for the garbage men. We have a limit of 4ft. They won't take it if it's longer.