To ask those who have artificial Christmas Trees...why?

[Loafingaround]

our last house was far too small, so couldn't fit a christmas tree in there. Having moved into a house large enough to house a christmas tree ,we are finally getting a christmas tree this year. Ive grown up with my grandparents and parents both having real trees, which I know and smell utterly magical and festive, but the thought that these beautiful trees have grown (for approx 8-10 years for a 8" tree!) only to be used and worshiped for a few weeks- then turfed out half dying onto the pavement forgotten about- is also so so depressing and sad to me. It sums up so much wrong with the world in general... I just cant bring myself to buy a "real"tree so will be going artificial. Why do other people go fake? Can you recommend the best, real looking artificial trees and where you bought them?

Artificial tree fits better in the space we have available. No needles to hoover up. No hassle of disposing of it in January, or getting it into the house in December. Doesn't need watering. More stable - we had a real tree last year and never could get it to stand up straight. More economical - this will be the 13th year with our tree and although it was about £50 new that's pretty good on a "per year" rate. Will be keeping it until it's falling to bits and will get a new one then.

Because I don't have the garden space to re - plant a tree with roots every year (what we did as kids ). Over my dead body would I buy a sawn off tree that was going to die.

I have a lovely fake one that fits and has lasted me a decade so far.

Found an artificial one in the attic of our old house. Came from John Lewis. We have had it 13 years so it's older than that.
For all the reasons the OP mentioned, that is why I cannot buy a real tree. To get a nice looking one, I'd be forking out about £80. To only chuck it two weeks later - nope! I'm too much of an environmentalist.
To add some real christmas character I decorate with real decorations : ivy, holly etc. Costs nothing from garden and hedgerows and the plant still grows.

I love our fake one. It looks perfect, real trees look natural and not perfect. I hate pine needles and they drop in the car and I spend months hoovering them out. Previously I have sent them to be composted.

Its the perfect size and was free.

So, just to check, you've started a thread about a decision you've already made so that you can tell us how about how morally superior you are? Alrighty then.

To do the sums: 13 years at £80 a year is over a grand!!!!! On Xmas trees. Nope!

I have a fake one because I don't like real ones

Fucking bastard pine needles

I'm another one who did it for cat safety. DCat was only 6 months old last Christmas and I didnt fancy pulling needles out of his paws or risking him chewing it or getting poked in the eye.

And you need a hobby

Pita needles.

They need a big metal stand that needs to be stored, fake tree comes with a nice collapsible stand.

And that the wood from the tree could be put to a better use than being dressed up with tinsel for a couple of weeks and then chucked.

And have you ever watched Nationsl Lampoons Christmas vacation?!?

I saw a lovely expensive one for sale in August - 10 years ago.

I like real ones but they are a pain.

I like the ritual of packing away Christmas.

Because I want to!

Take your pick!

Because I can't afford a real one every year (and the Ines I have seen don't look as full as my fake one). We bought ours about 5 years ago and it was reduced, I think we paid about £70 for it and it looks lovely (you could always get a fir tree scented candle or something to give the smell!!)

margaret nope- just wandered if the 1000s of other people who buy fake trees also do mianly for this reason or the 100s of other reason listed, interested thats all. Also asked for tips on where to buy the best fake trees.
I'm new to this (having our own tree) as I explained.

Christmas trees are a crop like any other . You might as well get sad about an ear of corn that grows all spring and summer just to get eaten in the blink of an eye.

Anyway, we have fake because we live in a flat and don't have enough space for a nice bushy real one. Also its a pita getting a real tree down the stairs (don't ask about the year when we had the bright idea of dropping it out of the window ).

Because it will save you literally £hundreds over the years, it shows consideration for your environment and is a way of 'clean' living.

If you really want a real tree, have one that you plant in a pot and bring inside for Christmas.

Don't like the idea of cutting down a tree just for it to die in my house, needles mess, cats climbed a real one but are not bothered with the fake one, take one works out cheaper. I don't understand why anyone bothers with the faff of real ones.

4 large cats...I'd spend December picking needles out of their paws

Allergies, nasty nasty rash and breathing problems so it has to fake or not at all.

Because I bought it for a tenner about 6 years ago. And I have no intention of replacing it until it falls to bits! So, much cheaper.

Exactly sleepyhead. Our real one comes from a local Christmas tree farm and wouldn't exist if it hadn't been planted for Christmas

if you'd ever dragged a mostly dead real one down two flights of carpeted stairs in an apartment building, and then had to clear up the mess, you'd not be asking

Balsam Hill have some beautiful artificial trees

Expense, mess and faff.