Just bought a non- real tree

[LordOfTheFlies]

We usually buy a real cut tree, but they get more expensive every year. I think last years was £50 and because I left it so late the choice was limited.

So, DH has ordered a 6' tree with 200 amber/white lights ( I can add more lights, 200 doesn't sound enough) that I chose from Amazon.It had good reviews.

So, I won't get the smell, but I can buy a Yankee Candle.
I won't get a load of needles (hooray) and I won't have to keep the water topped up.
And it should last me years rather than a couple of weeks.

Tell me I haven't made a horrible mistake .

[oreocrumbs]

I'm a real tree girl but I bought a fake 3 years ago. We now live in a town house and found out the hard way after our first christmas here that you can get a real tree in but not out without needing to replace the stair carpet and re paint .

So on the plus side, it lasts for years, takes about the same time to build as it does to put up the real one, you can tweek it when something droops. Its much lighter than a real tree so if it were to fall on your DC, it wouldn't be as bad.

I miss the smell, but I compensate for that with christmas candles and pot pouri, and I buy a fresh table centre piece from the farm shop (about £10), which has pine tree in it so I have some of the smell. (I have it on the coffee table apart from christmas day when it goes on the table)

[inchoccyheaven]

We have always had a fake tree and I found the receipt for it and the lights in the box the other day. It cost £25 all in for the tree and 2 sets of lights and was bought in 1995!!! [shocked]

I don't know how it compares to a real tree in look but as it gets covered in a million decorations I'm sure it is fine.

[LordOfTheFlies]

I'm not a big fan of pine smell (I've got a pine Yankee Candle that's been banished to the bathroom,because it's green)

The only thing I'm worried about is if it will take the weight of my glass baubles. I can put them further up the branches to be safe.

Hadn't thought about the tree landing on DCs TBH .

The best bit about a real tree is bringing it home (traditional family trip) and standing it up then opening the mesh to see the branches relax.
Then panic because it's alot wider than we'd thought.

But I'm thinking Save Money, Save Mess.

And I've got a potted tree in the garden to decorate.

[oreocrumbs]

The glass baubles will fare better on the fake tree IME, as you can bend the branches to form a lip so they don't slide off

choccy My mothers fake tree is from 1990 its crap now though!!

[ObiWanWithBellsOn]

I'm laughing a bit at your 'non-real' tree.

Don't worry, when you've had it a couple of years and it's part of your Christmas tradition, you'll be able to say 'fake tree' with pride .

[CherrysOnTheNaughtyList]

oreo- i find the knack to getting a real tree out is to put it inside an old double duvet cover. i keep one for this purpose. that way it doesnt kill your walls etc.

[rootietootie]

we're proud of our fake tree in our home :) Also as you have to put on all the branches individually, i can get the tree right into the corner of my room by not putting on the branches at the back, which saves a hell of a lot of space!

[TrinityRhino]

non real made me laugh too ITS FAKE

sorry bo help at all
I'm a real tree die hard but I'm sure a FAKE one would be easier

[Trills]

I love my fake tree.

Fake fake fake.

It is bushier and more symmetrical than a real tree and it doesn't make a mess and I only had to buy it once.

[MackerelOfFact]

I love real trees but the shape can be so hit and miss - I'm not spending £40-odd on something completely lacking branches on the top third of the tree! Plus we would probably need more lights and decorations as we have just enough for our modest fake tree (which, incidentally, cost a bargaintastic £2 reduced on Christmas Eve about 3 years ago).

If we were spending Christmas at home (and this has never happened yet) I would probably get a smallish real tree. They do look so much cosier and warm than the symmetrical fake ones. And there's the smell.