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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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7
JosephineDeBeauharnais · 08/12/2020 12:16

Size is another issue isn’t it? We have a real tree but I can’t stop myself getting huge bushy ones. As soon as we get it home it’s obvious that it’s too big but meh, looks fantastic with multicoloured lights, multicoloured baubles and tinsel 🤣. We’re very middle class but clearly lacking taste.

Lockheart · 08/12/2020 12:20

@lazylinguist

How can a plastic thing look like a better tree than a tree does?!
It's a matter of opinion.

Some artificial trees look better than some real trees. Some real trees look better than some artificial trees. I've seen beauties and shockers on both counts.

I like our artificial one, not just because it's been a feature of my life since I was small, but because it's got a good height, lots of hanging space, it's bushy, and symmetrical (although not perfectly geometric - that would be weird). It doesn't wilt either.

I'm not going to declare it's the most beautiful tree in the world ever and outshines every single real tree there ever was, but to me it's perfect and I love it.

AiryFairyMum · 08/12/2020 12:22

It's a social group mentality, maybe middle class, I don't know how you'd describe it. I grew up with the idea that anything 'fake' was tacky - even expensive things. So to me, while fake tan, tooth veneers, karndean floors, imitation wood burners, UPVC windows and doors etc are all fake, as is a plastic tree, even though they are often more expensive than the 'real' option.

KatnissNeverseen · 08/12/2020 12:22

The Daily Wail must be having a quiet day because they have done an article about this thread lol

teateateateateamoretea · 08/12/2020 12:24

How can a plastic thing look like a better tree than a tree does?!

Easily.

A lot of people like the look of plastic women over the real thing, for example.

CherryPavlova · 08/12/2020 12:25

It's quite interesting that a lot of the 'real tree as it looks better' people are also quite happy to chuck any old mish mash of ornaments on.

Doesn't this rather miss the point?

Sparklingbrook · 08/12/2020 12:27

@CherryPavlova

It's quite interesting that a lot of the 'real tree as it looks better' people are also quite happy to chuck any old mish mash of ornaments on.

Doesn't this rather miss the point?

Yes it does what’s the point of a nice looking tree without nice ornaments. Confused
madcatladyforever · 08/12/2020 12:28

I cannot bear artificial trees, I'd go for a Nordic fur everytime if I had a tree in the house but I don't.
I think it's awful cutting down a whole tree that takes at least years to grow and then having a dead tree decomposing in your living room for 2 weeks before it's chucked out unceremoniously - it makes me feel quite sick.
So I compromise and have an artificial twif tree with integral lights that I can use as a decoration or light source all year round.

Sparklingbrook · 08/12/2020 12:29

@teateateateateamoretea

How can a plastic thing look like a better tree than a tree does?!

Easily.

A lot of people like the look of plastic women over the real thing, for example.

Are we really comparing hair extensions/breast implantswith artificial Christmas trees? This thread has it all. 😂
DrSunnydale · 08/12/2020 12:30

Hmm.

Controversial.

On the one hand, we have an artificial tree in our basement extension; on the other, a real tree in our double-height atrium.

And another real one in one of our sitting-rooms.

Perhaps we are, simply, greedy...

StatisticallyChallenged · 08/12/2020 12:31

@Sparklingbrook

It's quite interesting that a lot of the 'real tree as it looks better' people are also quite happy to chuck any old mish mash of ornaments on. Grin Grin
Well that's because it's tacky/classless/soulless/hopelessly nouveau to have any sort of theme to your decorations. You must only have baubles handmade by your children, handed down from grandma or bought on your travels and must reminisce over the background of each as your children randomly lob them at any part if the tree.

"Came in a John Lewis multi pack" just doesn't have the right class to it Wink

tinytemper66 · 08/12/2020 12:31

We have a real tree and then burn it in the year in our log burner.

TheKeatingFive · 08/12/2020 12:34

A plastic tree cannot be as good as a real tree at looking like a real tree.

I suppose what people mean is that it can be more uniform/better shaped and therefore to some eyes a nicer facsimile of a tree.

But like I said earlier, if your aim is a tree that looks like a real tree, it’s a category error to suggest that a plastic tree could do that better.

AiryFairyMum · 08/12/2020 12:35

Yes, I also think 'themed' tree decorations, where they are all from the same shop, are tacky. We reuse the same mish mash of homemade ones every year, but I can't quite put my finger on why.

SuperCaliFragalistic · 08/12/2020 12:36

No needles - what's wrong with needles? They stay on the tree mostly.
No constant hoovering - I hoover my living room 2-3 times a week, the tree doesn't add to that. Nothing wrong with a small handful of pine needles on the floor under the tree inbetween hooverings. They cause no harm or distress to anyone.
No messing the car up collecting it and then taking it to be chipped - a small number of needles in the car when I collect it. Not messed up at all. Council collect trees to be chipped at the kerb side round here.
No having to water it all the time - once a week, when I'm doing my other houseplants.
No slightly rancid smell as it slowly dies - I've never noticed this. It just smells more piney and woodlandy if anything.

teateateateateamoretea · 08/12/2020 12:37

But like I said earlier, if your aim is a tree that looks like a real tree, it’s a category error to suggest that a plastic tree could do that better

No, it isnt. A friend has an eye wateringly expensive fake tree that you can't tell the difference from a real one, its incredible. It has the scent and everything. It looks better than most peoples real trees. Like, loads better.

Sparklingbrook · 08/12/2020 12:37

Oh @StatisticallyChallenged, is that it? The inside of loo rolls decorated with glitter look better than tasteful decorations from JL. Got it. Grin

I haven't even got my tree up yet, so I probably shouldn't be allowed on the thread anyway. Sad Grin

TheKeatingFive · 08/12/2020 12:37

Surely your desire (or not) to have a tree that looks like a real tree is very separate to your decorating preferences. I expect all permutations of themed/haphazard/classy/tacky exist.

TheKeatingFive · 08/12/2020 12:39

A friend has an eye wateringly expensive fake tree that you can't tell the difference from a real one

I expect a person with even a modicum of knowledge about trees could tell isn’t real if they looked at it properly. And the sensorial experience would do it for them regardless.

LeahDownTheLane · 08/12/2020 12:40

This is our first year with an artificial tree as our main one. Bought from balsam hill and it really is lovely but it’s not the same. Though I do like that the log burner won’t turn it brown a week before Christmas and there’s no needles to hoover and I don’t have to try and get rid of it in January.

ZoeTurtle · 08/12/2020 12:40

I'm from a poor working class background and we always had a real tree. I think real trees look better (probably because they remind me of lovely childhood Christmasses) but I don't make any class assumptions based on what someone else chooses. I just assume the choice is based on aesthetics or practicality - like my friend with a baby who thinks he'd eat the needles of a real tree - rather than income or 'taste'.

TheKeatingFive · 08/12/2020 12:41

It looks better than most peoples real trees. Like, loads better.

What you mean is its a ‘better’ facsimile. Imperfections are part and parcel of a real tree.

Sparklingbrook · 08/12/2020 12:41

@TheKeatingFive

Surely your desire (or not) to have a tree that looks like a real tree is very separate to your decorating preferences. I expect all permutations of themed/haphazard/classy/tacky exist.
It's just all the talk of 'a real tree looks better so if tree looks are important to you then you would want your real tree to look good with some amazing ornaments. Well IMO anyway.
WillingWarlock · 08/12/2020 12:41

@Sparklingbrook

It's quite interesting that a lot of the 'real tree as it looks better' people are also quite happy to chuck any old mish mash of ornaments on. Grin Grin
Of course! That's how I like it. My kids decorate the tree. It has that "Wilkos threw up over an evergreen bush" vibe.
TheKeatingFive · 08/12/2020 12:42

a real tree looks better so if tree looks are important to you then you would want your real tree to look good with some amazing ornaments.

But everyone’s idea of what a decorated Christmas tree should look like is different, surely?