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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Real tree Vs artificial tree? Is it a status symbol?

607 replies

CatsWhiskers1976 · 07/12/2020 11:26

Just putting up our artificial tree and having some thoughts.
At work the other day we got to discussing Christmas trees, and the old real vs artificial debate. It seemed to me that there was a bit of 'snobbery' against those who had artificial trees (maybe that's just where I work!). There were those who said artificial trees were just TERRIBLE for the environment. Given that most people I know have had their tree for many years (our family one was about 40 years old before it was replaced) is this really true? Cutting down live trees is okay for the environment? I have never had a real tree, growing up I didn't know anyone who had a real tree and in our circles it was usually only the slightly more well off people who ever had real trees. Apologies if this offends anyone, it was just my experience as a child growing up in working class Scotland.
Some people at work looked horrified at the thought of having a 'plastic' tree (mind, they were going off to cut the perfect one down on their 'estate').
So what do you think? Real Vs artificial? I spent a fair bit a few years ago to get a really nice realistic looking artificial tree which I hope will last years. At the time we had cats and I was afraid they would get hurt/never leave the real tree alone so I have stuck with artificial.
What does everyone else have? Do you judge people with fake trees?

OP posts:

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Sparklingbrook · 07/12/2020 15:22

The years we did have a real tree we got it when it was already cut and netted. I am not sure how I would feel about choosing a living one and having someone cut it down for me. Like choosing the fish you want to eat from a tank where it's swimming about.

namechangetheworld · 07/12/2020 15:33

We have an artificial tree because otherwise I would constantly worry about the small DC spiking themselves on rogue pine needles. My very middle class DM thinks it's dreadfully common of me.

NotMeNoNo · 07/12/2020 15:35

Never had an artificial tree and don't own one. Each to their own I guess. I like natural decorations. This year it came from Homebase.

Wish you had put a vote on this AIBU! I expect the artificial trees would win.

MrDarcysMa · 07/12/2020 15:36

I get a real one as I think they look better and I like the smell.
If the artificial ones looked as good as a real one I'd be tempted but they're always so uniform and triangular!

liveitwell · 07/12/2020 15:39

We could afford a real tree every year.

But we have a lovely artificial one instead as it 1) doesn't shed 2) we can keep it up as long as we wish 3) no mucky cars for transport.

I hate snobs. As if it makes a difference in life whether you have a real or artificial tree. They must be pretty sad to be debating it imo.

catgirl1976 · 07/12/2020 15:49

Don't know but I love a real tree. DS however cried when he saw some cut and ready for sale as "A tree belongs in a forest not chopped down to die slowly in someone's living room"

So class issues aside I now have to have a plastic one so over sensitive DS does not mourn its piney death

MariaK91 · 07/12/2020 15:51

Growing up we had a plastic tree that did look a bit ropey, as kids we didnt mind. When it got old, one year my parents bought a real tree and it left needles everywhere! Drove my mum nuts! After that they just spent a bit of money on a nice looking artifical tree and it looks great. Now I have my on place, DH and I get a real tree every year, but only because we live close to a fir forest where they sell them. I feel a bit bad throwing it away after christmas though. We normally keep it and throw a bonfire party with it as the centre piece in November the following year.

Sparklingbrook · 07/12/2020 15:52

@catgirl1976

Don't know but I love a real tree. DS however cried when he saw some cut and ready for sale as "A tree belongs in a forest not chopped down to die slowly in someone's living room"

So class issues aside I now have to have a plastic one so over sensitive DS does not mourn its piney death

I can see where he's coming from TBF.

HopeTheHeraldAngelsSing · 07/12/2020 15:53

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on request of its author.

Sparklingbrook · 07/12/2020 15:56

I never buy cut flowers as I don't like watching them slowly die when they are bought for me and I really don't understand bedding plants so never buy those. If I am paying for a plant I want it to come up every year.

lazylinguist · 07/12/2020 16:01

I'm from a solidly mc family, dh from a maybe more lower mc one. My family always had a real tree, dh's an artificial one. Since we got together we've always had a real one.

Mine is never themed, and the dc help decorate it. I don't understand why some people are so bothered by the idea that some pine needles will drop on the floor. Unclench! Christmas is not about gleaming surfaces and immaculate floors.

Wannabegreenfingers · 07/12/2020 16:02

I've gone real for the first time this year. Its lovely, but smells of nothing :(

ilovebagpuss · 07/12/2020 16:02

Growing up working class we always had this medium size silver gaudy tree that we adored don’t know where is came from. This was 70’s/80’s
As an adult I liked real trees in my pre children years and when they were little we always went to a farm to chose one that had a little nativity and animals to visit. now they are older we have a decent fake one that is so easy.
I love the real trees and I always think they look more classic/traditional Christmas but I don’t link them with more wealthy people etc.
I do think though you never see a fake tree in all the glossy Christmas mags lifestyle etc so perhaps there are some poncetastic vibes around a real tree.

peaceanddove · 07/12/2020 16:03

Pah. A real tree is just on the aspirational middle class Xmas tick list, alongside going for a 'bracingly wholesome walk' on Boxing Day with the ubiquitous dog, and not opening presents until after lunch.

My best friend is from old money. She attended a famous girls' public school and her family home had its own croquet lawn and resident housekeeper. My best friend always has an artificial tree because she hates dropped pine needles (and they all open presents at the crack of dawn).

I'm from a terribly nouveau riche background so we have an artificial tree (but a vair expensive one from Balsam Hill) because I like my house neat, tidy and with no pine needles underfoot, thanks. And I compensate for the lack of aroma by burning White Company candles.

Our teens open presents as soon as they open their eyes, and every year we hopelessly indulge them - and wouldn't dream of buying them something virtuous like an Oxfam goat.

MessAllOver · 07/12/2020 16:08

Oxfam goats make good presents for people you dislike. Though personally I prefer to sponsor a donkey on their behalf.

chillibeansauce · 07/12/2020 16:12

I have a balsam hill tree, bought 4 years ago and cost about £400. I love that I dont have to pfaff about with metres of light !

Bridget212 · 07/12/2020 16:12

Real Christmas trees are middle class nouveau riche this year. All over Instagram with their white decorations. The true middle classes have a replantable one. Can’t do that if you’ve got fake grass and decking.

Sparklingbrook · 07/12/2020 16:16

Really though does anyone take any notice what tree you have? I couldn't tell you what trees my friends and family had last year and I won't even be seeing them this year.

Seems to be all about the outside lights around here-very competitive.

twilightermummy · 07/12/2020 16:17

I have one of each!
We had an artificial tree and literally grew up with it. I remember it distinctly. To us it was perfect.
One thing that I have got a bit snotty about as getting older, is people who believe that class is equated with white lights. They're boring and not what Christmas is about to me! I went through that stage for a few years and have ditched it!

Bringbackthestrips · 07/12/2020 16:18

Always had a real tree growing up (WC btw) and for several years when married.
Then, one year we went to the garden centre where we usually get our trees, we had a look for decorations & DS saw Father Christmas but it was too early for us to buy our tree.
Went back several days later to buy one and they had put the price up by over £20. We walked away.
On the way home we passed a local ex catalogue shop and they had artificial Argos trees in the window, we bought one and have had it over a decade now.

lazylinguist · 07/12/2020 16:20

The other divider about a real tree is that you can't put one up weeks before Christmas, so they don't appeal to the 'Right, Halloween's over, so let's get Christmassy!' brigade.

Sparklingbrook · 07/12/2020 16:27

@lazylinguist

The other divider about a real tree is that you can't put one up weeks before Christmas, so they don't appeal to the 'Right, Halloween's over, so let's get Christmassy!' brigade.

Surely they would buy a pre Christmas real tree then another one for when it's actually Christmas?

Tumbleweed101 · 07/12/2020 16:32

Not something I'd thought about. I have artificial due to convenience with a busy family - don't have to water and dispose of it. I also feel a little uncomfortable that a tree has died but status has never been part of my consideration.

peaceanddove · 07/12/2020 16:33

@MessAllOver

Oxfam goats make good presents for people you dislike. Though personally I prefer to sponsor a donkey on their behalf.

That is true genius [logs on to Oxfam website]

MereDintofPandiculation · 07/12/2020 16:38

If the artificial ones looked as good as a real one I'd be tempted but they're always so uniform and triangular! Ours is 30 years old, uniform and triangular it is not

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