Real expensive tree vs free fake...

[Ams25]

I am a real Christmas tree girl, but they are so expensive, and we are pretty broke this year. Just found a fake tree in our attic, must have been left behind by last owners. It's a nice one, not tacky (well, they all are really :() but not too bad. Should I use it? Or she'll out for a real one? I love the smell of real ones....

[ilovesprouts]

i have a fibre optic tree ,cant satnd the smell of real trees and my ds2 would pull over and not a good idea

[ilovesprouts]

*stand

[johnworf]

I have the same dilemma. We always have a real tree in the sitting room and artificial in the dining room. I am debating whether to just use the fake tree in the sitting room this year and save myself £50.

[Trills]

I like fake trees.

[Trills]

If we are talking credit crunch - real trees have to be bought every year.

Fake trees only have to be bought once. Or in this case, not at all.

[PostBellumBugsy]

I love, really, really love my fake tree! I know its not the "done thing" but I so don't care. It cost £75 in the sale and it has done 5 Christmases now. The DCs & I build it together every year, which is fun in itself. It looks really great, is always a perfect shape, it never sheds bits everywhere, it doesn't smell and did I mention that I love it.

[icapturethecastle]

I have a real one in the living room and a little fake one in the playroom. The real one is 2 days old and I can't stop looking at thinking it is dropping already, keep telling the dcs to stay away from it, checking the water level etc. Don't care what happens to the fake one . Last year we had 2 real trees as the first one lost all it needles the week before Christmas and then had to pay a fortune as the only ones left were really expensive. I just need to control myself and not put a tree up until the week before Christmas but that is impossible for me! If this years one goes before Christmas that is it only fakes ones from now on. Sorry about the essay on Christmas trees but I have been thinking about this a lot.

[Methe]

We have a real one for the first time this year, it's really beautiful if a bit too big! ( It looked smaller when we chose it in the field )

We needed a new tree as last years collapsed. We couldn'd find a decent fake one this year for less than £180. The real one co's £30 and looks so much nicer.

[coccyx]

You know that if money is tight then this year it should be the FREE fake one

[Doowrah]

Real trees are £10 in B&Q and Homebase and £25 at my local nursery. We are poor as churchmouses but we always have a real tree. For my DS Xmas starts when we go to choose and buy the tree, he is (always a he) becomes part of the family and is loved and enjoyed throughout the festivities. My Mum does a cracking fake affair which I also admire and enjoy. We usually buy a real wreath for the door but have done an old fake this year and its alright.

[LifeOfKate]

I've just upgraded to a new pre-lit artificial tree from a rather sad artificial tree which shed its needles as much as a real one . Haven't got it up yet but it looks lovely and only cost £25 (is a 6foot one). Intend to keep it for as long as possible.

We always had real ones when I was a child, as did DH, (my dad used to buy the last twig in the shop just before they closed on Christmas eve ) so I have had many christmases with real ones, but can't say that I have felt particularly let down by having a plastic one for the past 10 years. In fact I find them much easier to decorate as they are a uniform shape and if the branches are the wirey sort you can bend them into shape to hold the decorations on better :o

Besides, yours is free!!

[Ams25]

Icapturethecastle... That is my fave book ever! :)

[lljkk]

I love like my fake tree, no needles stabbing whilst decorating it, easily packed away, once it's decorated it's as nice looking as any, no maintenance (water), doesn't make a mess. Nothing to dislike, honest!!

We always had real ones when I was growing up, too.

[MurderOfProse]

I love a real tree, and some years we have one, but we've just about had enough of still finding needles hidden away over the rest of the year..

Think we are having fake this year!

[upahill]

I'm not fussed either way whether it is fake or real.
However DH loves a real one so every year he goes out with the DS's and choices one. They decorate it and do a good job.
They also take it down and clean up!
I just admire it!!!

[usualsuspect]

I've had my fake tree years, it cost 2 quid in the sale from Wilkinsons

[40notTrendy]

We've always had a real one from our local Forestry Commission park. First year it was about £15 for a 6ft+ thing. It was lovely. We went last weekend and a 5ft one cost us £30. I was until I saw 4ft ones at our local farmshop going for £45
We have discussed getting a fake tree in the sales, but I think I'd miss the joy of going to choose one and the wonderful smell in the house. It just wouldn't be Christmas without it.

[ChippyMinton]

I usually insist on real, but have gone fake this year. The jury's out but the moths are still intact in my wallet

[Ams25]

Hmm, still can't decide. I think if there was a way to recreate the Christmas tree smell I would go for the fake. Any ideas?

[Meglet]

If you hang on until Xmas eve you will probably be able to get a beautiful fake tree in the sales. I bought one for 50% off so it will last us for years.

I did grow up with real trees but don't have the space to plant them out in my current house.

[serin]

Pine disinfectant

We are having the same dilemma! our local garden centre has tiny real trees for £45!

[MordechaiVanunu]

We always have a real tree and make a big deal of the trip to get the tree together etc.

But last year the tree cost us £75!!! so I was considering a fake on this year.
Went to look at them and most were horrid. The only one I liked was £250.

So, been tonight to get the real one, was £65 (8ft) plus £30 for new stand.
It's an expensive business Christmas trees!!

It's beautiful though can't wait to put it up now.

OP if moneys tight this year, go with your free fake one, they all look lovely once the lights are on. Splash out on an extra set of lights to give it a bit more sparkle it will be lovely.

[OnTheBen10DaysofChristmas]

Our Christmas tree farm in Kent is v cheap then. These are the prices:

4' Nordman only £21.99
6' Nordman only £32.99
7' Nordman only £37.99

4' Norway Spruce only £13.99
6' Norway Spruce only £19.99
7' Norway Spruce only £22.99

Real tree all the way in this house. Even with the credit crunch. It isn't Christmas for us without the smell.