Real or Artificial? [Archive]

Merry

05-16-2007, 10:53 AM

Which camp do you sit in? Do you have only a real tree, only an artificial or do you like to decide when the time comes?

While my preference is for a real tree, its simply not practical here in England . Really good trees have to be bought from specialty farms in Scotland and shipped to you. Which is an option, however recycle facilities for used trees is hit or miss where we are and they've never heard of using a potted tree, to be planted after the Holidays.

However, we were really fortunate two years ago to find a beautiful 6.5 foot artificial tree. Lovely and full. The only thing you miss is the scent. For which I use pine essential oil (among others) to help give the house that lovely Christmas scent.

One thing I won't compromise on is wreaths. The artificial ones look it. I'm fortunate to have a great local florist who does beautiful real bough wreaths, so I buy two. One for the outside front door and one for the inside front. :D

e_xander

05-16-2007, 11:06 AM

We do both, 1 real and 3 fake. I was always a lover of real ones, then a friend found a fake one for us and it looked really good, so we started doing both. Plus, with all the ornaments we have, we fill them up.

Sean

Merry

05-16-2007, 11:15 AM

e_xander

05-16-2007, 12:24 PM

yeppers...we have a short one for my youngest son in his room, that I didn't count.

Sean

scooterbugs25

06-19-2007, 01:09 PM

1 real-multi color traditional looking

1 fake- Themed With a classy look to it.

Several trees thru out the house of different sizes. all fake.

ChristmasFanatic

07-01-2007, 07:38 AM

When I was still able to work, I worked second shift and we worked upwards of 60-80 hours per week, so not a lot of free time for decorating, but I always took the day before and after Thanksgiving off, which would give me six days off, since the plant was closed for the first day of deer season on the Monday after Thanksgiving. I'd haul out all my decorations on 'Black Friday' as well as the artificial tree and go to task...decorating and just loving every minute of it. Then, almost nine years ago, when my better-half and I got together, a real tree was desired and now, each Thanksgiving, my Dad comes to have the meal with us and he gives us $50, as a kind of early Christmas gift, so we can have a real tree.

The tree still goes up either Black Friday or that Saturday and is decorated on Sunday. I swear, each year, they look a bit nicer, but perhaps that's just me. ;) This year, my Dad has decided to buy a house and has invited us to live with him, Dad has a small 3-4 foot artificial tree, but he said he won't get rid of it, as he's sure, like Mom, I'll put several trees throughout the house, now! That bit really excites me, as for the past 5 years or so, I haven't been able to use all my decorations for around the house, as the apartment is much smaller, so hopefully, Dad won't mind being innundated with tons of decorations, but I know he won't, because I got my love of Christmas from Mom and Dad and my grandparents. :)

snowberry

07-27-2007, 04:45 PM

I'd love to have a real tree, but since I'd have to depend on someone else to take me to get it, and I like to put mine up around Thanksgiving, I put up an artificial one. My last one was seven feet tall and very nice. However, last year, I noticed several branches were broken. So when I took it down I put it outside in its box to think if I wanted to throw it away or not. We got an unexpected ice storm so that answered that.

snowberry (who thanks Jesus for evergreen trees, even artificial ones)

Jinglebelle

07-27-2007, 07:29 PM

I've always wanted a real one, although to date, I've only had fake ones.
When I was a kid my Aunt Alice always had a real tree and they were so beautiful, and scented the whole house with pine. It was great!

Minta

07-30-2007, 11:54 AM

We have 5 artificial trees. I love the scents of the real trees but can not handle the needles.

Jinglebelle

07-31-2007, 09:04 PM

I guess the needles fall off and get all over the house...

OldSpice

07-31-2007, 09:25 PM

As Much as I have always wanted a real tree... I have way tooo many ornaments that weigh too much to put on a real tree... Hallmark fan here... and have collected Lenox ornaments for years...

OK slamm me all you want... I actually have 3 trees... two 9 ft ones that rotate (yes I know, but I look at my rotating trees as my display to many years of ornament collecting) and one for the kids... and two of the trees are covered with bubble lights!

Jinglebelle

07-31-2007, 09:27 PM

Bubble lights are the coolest lights in the world!!

I have actually considered buying a rotater for my tree. How's that work out for you? I mean is it a hassle??

OldSpice

07-31-2007, 09:35 PM

Hassle... no way... but be careful with the weight... I had a terrible accident last year when we were taking down the tree.... started taking ornaments off on one side of the tree.... and the other side tilted over smashing a lot of precious ornaments... the one that killed me the most was an ornament Mom and Dad bought me the last time we were in Disney... It was the last time Dad was able to walk more than 15 ft... so it was a crusher to me...

Jinglebelle

07-31-2007, 09:38 PM

Oh, that IS sad. Some things are worth more than money. Sorry to hear that.
I don't know if I will try it out or not.... I'm sure by Christmas I will have made up my mind... maybe....

Joanna

08-15-2007, 02:35 PM

We have artificial christmas tree for almost always. Now better have a artificial tree, because nices are scared of real tree.

Merry

08-16-2007, 03:42 AM

Joanna

08-16-2007, 08:47 AM

We have artificial christmas tree for almost always. Now better have a artificial tree, because nices are scared of real tree.

Your nieces are afraid of real trees? Thats a new one. But never mind. The trees are better off in the ground anyway! Global warming and all that stuff. Yes, specially Maya ( she have 3 years old ). When she touch real christmas tree then she cries, and she wants to run away. In my family artificial christmas tree is always very long time (ex. 20 years).

Merry

08-16-2007, 08:55 AM

We have an artificial tree too. We found a really nice 6.5 foot one two years ago. They look so much better than they used to. And since really good real trees are hard to get here, their a much more practical option.

As you say, a good artificial tree will last a long time. I use a bit of pine essential oil near the tree to get that nice tree scent. I did have a photo of our tree, but I must have deleted it on accident. I'll have to post one this year when it goes up. 8)

McDLT

08-27-2007, 12:09 PM

Because we are away so much and I like to have the tree up for such a long time, we have an artificial tree.

sdkluger

08-27-2007, 09:45 PM

We've only used artificial trees, one 6', the other 3'. Some time when we aren't traveling over Christmas and when we have room in our house we'll get a real tree. Every kid deserves a real tree at least once in his life, right?

When I was young, my family would go to my grandparents house to get a tree from their back field. One year we cut our tree, a 7'-8' tree. Later that summer when we went back for a visit we saw the rest of the tree. There was nearly 6' of tree left under the snow.

Tim

Santa's Helper

09-03-2007, 08:34 PM

You guys that have had a real tree are so lucky! :D

I've always wanted to try and get a real tree but the two, no make that three reasons why I haven't yet...I'm afraid of it dying before Christmas, I'm very picky on the fullness & look of my tree - sometimes you don't know what you get until it's been opened, and also our cats LOVE to climb the tree. It would be quite painful trying to yank them out of a real one :lol:

WintersElf

10-02-2007, 10:23 PM

only fake ones here..i have a 6footer..and a 3 footer thats my snow white and the seven dwarfs tree.and then i have a 2 foot fiber optic one.

ElfinErv

11-13-2007, 04:28 PM

I am in the artificial camp, have been for years and years. I like to set my trees up the week after Halloween, don't want to deal with the mess and disposal of real trees. I do love the smell of real trees and find it hard to emulate with candles or whatever.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/Javern/misc/firetree2.gif

dominick

11-13-2007, 04:30 PM

I don't know, I've come across a few that smell better than the real thing in my opinion. I almost bought a Yankee "housewarmer" in I think Christmas Wreath last week. I might have to go back for it sometime... it smelled great and the scent was STRONG.

Jinglebelle

11-13-2007, 04:31 PM

What is a "Yankee "housewarmer" "?? :?:

dominick

11-13-2007, 04:32 PM

It's a line of candles that Yankee puts out. It's supposed to be their strongest scented.

Jinglebelle

11-13-2007, 04:36 PM

Ok, So... this Yankee you speak of is a candle company... I had no idea.

I don't get out much :oops:

dominick

11-13-2007, 04:38 PM

You've never heard of Yankee Candles??

Jinglebelle

11-13-2007, 04:39 PM

Uh, No... :oops:

Jinglebelle

11-13-2007, 04:40 PM

They must be from up north!! BWahahahahaha!!!!!!! :lol: :lol:

dominick

11-13-2007, 04:46 PM

http://www.yankeecandle.com/cgi-bin/ycbvp/retail.jsp

They're expensive, but they smell great.

Jinglebelle

11-13-2007, 04:48 PM

If only I had smell-o-web! It's a pretty site though...

dominick

11-13-2007, 04:59 PM

Do you have a Hallmark store near you? They sell them there.

Jinglebelle

11-13-2007, 05:01 PM

Shoot, I been over at the site looking around, they are expensive! I couldn't even afford a whifff of one! HA! :lol:

But yeah, there is a Hallmark up the street. I've never been in it though. Actually I've only been in one a couple of times and that was years ago...

dominick

11-13-2007, 05:03 PM

You should check it out, at least to see all the cool ornaments. I could spend a lot of money in there...

Jinglebelle

11-13-2007, 05:07 PM

So go torture myself with all the cool Christmas goodness that I can't buy?

I'm weak, Tony. :?

dominick

11-13-2007, 05:08 PM

I know what you mean, but I managed to get out of there last time without spending anything... on myself.

I bought my Grandma a little angel thing for her birthday.

Jinglebelle

11-13-2007, 05:10 PM

That was nice of you!

ElfinErv

11-14-2007, 02:49 PM

I've been using Air Wick scented pine oils, I really like it but its hard to find

dominick

11-14-2007, 06:02 PM

You smelled the Febreeze pine scented candles yet? Those smell good.

ElfinErv

11-14-2007, 06:03 PM

No, where did you see those?

dominick

11-14-2007, 06:10 PM

Target, Walgreens, and Home Depot so far.

ElfinErv

11-14-2007, 06:14 PM

Okie dokie, need to check on these

WVHollyBerrys

11-15-2007, 05:30 AM

We have a artificial tree...My husband would sneeze himself silly if we had a real tree. As a child we grew up with real tree's every year, but *sigh* I can't have a real one now.

ElfinErv

11-17-2007, 11:23 AM

I hear people with allergies can get allergic to artificial Christmas trees too, over time as they collect dust.

Marshmallow World

11-30-2007, 09:39 AM

Live Christmas trees can trigger mold allergies --- I had no idea! :shock: It's good that we switched to artificial because I'm allergic to mold.

http://health.yahoo.com/news/healthday/livechristmastreescantriggermoldallergies.html

ElfinErv

12-21-2007, 01:27 PM

Then there are the hazards of artificial trees, dust mites, lead contamination, etc

dominick

12-21-2007, 01:34 PM

Didn't you hear? Living is hazardous to your health and in severe cases may cause death.

ElfinErv

12-21-2007, 01:35 PM

yup...and in some place more than others

ElfinErv

07-18-2009, 01:05 PM

I don't even know anyone ( other than online ) who uses a real Christmas tree anymore

santaclauses#1fan

07-21-2009, 07:06 AM

My family has had the same fake one for about 15 years and I LOVE decorating it.::decorate::

ElfinErv

07-24-2009, 12:47 AM

you got your moneys worth out of that tree
::yippee::

My family has had the same fake one for about 15 years and I LOVE decorating it.::decorate::

Christy Carol

07-24-2009, 08:57 PM

I don't even know anyone ( other than online ) who uses a real Christmas tree anymore

Yup, I am online and a real Christmas tree person. I honestly couldnt imagine not having a real one. Thats how my Christmas starts. We go the day after Thanksgiving to the same Christmas tree farm and pick out our tree. I take the camera to document it and we let our pooch Mollie pick it out. We let her loose and she will run from tree and tree sniffing. When she finally lifts her leg (yeah, she is gender confused! LOL) thats the tree we buy! So far she has picked out some nice trees even if the one we got two years ago had to be cut back around 2 feet off the trunk to fit in the house.

I will flock it Saturday and move it inside Monday. Then I will spend the next week decorating it in the afternoons when I get in from work. Watching Christmas cartoons, of course! By the next weekend its all ready for the holiday season. I dont care how many products are out there promising to make your house smell like a live tree, nothing tops the true smell of a fresh tree.

I do understand folks with allergies, I am one myself. I just drug up good for the month! :1smiley008:

ElfinErv

07-24-2009, 11:23 PM

good ol Mollie
:)

Yup, I am online and a real Christmas tree person. I honestly couldnt imagine not having a real one. Thats how my Christmas starts. We go the day after Thanksgiving to the same Christmas tree farm and pick out our tree. I take the camera to document it and we let our pooch Mollie pick it out. We let her loose and she will run from tree and tree sniffing. When she finally lifts her leg (yeah, she is gender confused! LOL) thats the tree we buy! So far she has picked out some nice trees even if the one we got two years ago had to be cut back around 2 feet off the trunk to fit in the house.

I will flock it Saturday and move it inside Monday. Then I will spend the next week decorating it in the afternoons when I get in from work. Watching Christmas cartoons, of course! By the next weekend its all ready for the holiday season. I dont care how many products are out there promising to make your house smell like a live tree, nothing tops the true smell of a fresh tree.

I do understand folks with allergies, I am one myself. I just drug up good for the month! :1smiley008:

Christy Carol

11-21-2009, 06:39 PM

Its so close now! I have had my eye on a particular tree for some time now so I've gotta lead Mollie that way!! LOL!!

I dont plan on flocking it this year, its just too big of a mess with these floors. So instead I plan on buying bags of the white cotton type filling and adding snow to a branch here or there. I saw a tree at Garden Ridge made up like that and really liked it.

In one week my house is going to smell absolutely divine!!

ElfinErv

11-21-2009, 06:39 PM

I don't know anyone who flocks anymore

Christy Carol

11-21-2009, 06:43 PM

If I had the time to mess with it a little more I probably would. But this weekend its suppose to be cold and damp and I dont want to have to burn a fire in the shop to get it dried.

ElfinErv

11-21-2009, 06:50 PM

if Kim wants another white tree Im using spray paint

Christy Carol

11-21-2009, 06:52 PM

I dont think it will stick on there for long. But my mom said years ago when she was a child her mom would get a pine tree and then spray paint it white. She said it was horrible!!

ElfinErv

11-21-2009, 06:53 PM

was thinking of trying the paint by Krylon thats made specially for plastic and vinyls, its at Wal Mart

Christy Carol

11-21-2009, 06:54 PM

It might work then

ElfinErv

11-21-2009, 06:56 PM

if not make it an outside tree

caninemom3

03-02-2010, 04:05 PM

We have an artificial tree. I love leaving my tree up for a long, long time and a real tree would unfortunately never last.

ElfinErv

03-03-2010, 05:18 PM

when do you set it up and then take it down usually ?

We have an artificial tree. I love leaving my tree up for a long, long time and a real tree would unfortunately never last.

caninemom3

03-03-2010, 06:06 PM

I always start out wanting to set the tree up in October but nevre make it. Usually it is on Thanksgiving Day when I get it up. Before that I always have the nativity scene up and garland and my Santa Claus figures on the mantle. I usually wait til the end of January to take the tree down but it is always too soon and I am always really sad after it down. :roll:

ElfinErv

03-12-2010, 01:04 AM

me too...so sad to undecorate :(

SusieSnowflake

04-01-2010, 02:57 PM

Real and artificial, LR tree is the fresh one, the others are artificial, we love them all.:1smiley001:

Christy Carol

04-01-2010, 10:20 PM

We drove passed our Christmas tree farm Sunday and I told Tom.."look honey, our tree is out there right now. In fact I think I see it"

I may go out there in a few months and ask Mr Clark if I can keep an eye on the tree I spotted. How cool would that be if it turns out to be the perfect one?