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

[CatsWhiskers1976]

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?

But what about the 'look' @WillingWarlock burying the tree under Wilko's finest will spoil it?

It t'aint what the tree looks like. It's what the tree be.

@TheKeatingFive

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?

Clearly, and in a lot of cases contradictory...

Clearly, and in a lot of cases contradictory

Well there’s no objective standards around what a Christmas tree ‘should’ look like is there?

One person’s perfectly styled is another persons totally naff. One person’s genuine and homespun is another person’s big fat mess.

I just wish I could get into some people's houses now to have a good old judge and smell.

It's all about "authenticity" @Sparklingbrook, with a side order of pretentious wankery in many cases. Bit like those folk who think one doesn't buy furniture, one inherits it. Except with tree baubles and making them is permitted

In reality most people buy at least some big multi packs and then add to them over the years with individual decoration they like. I added a second tree this year and I don't like sparsely decorated trees so many new ones were needed.

I just don't like artificial Christmas trees. In the same way that I don't like pencil pleat curtains or wallpaper. Nothing to do with class, ( the poshest person I know always has an artificial tree) just personal taste.

Never had a post go to the Daily Fail before! And well done on totally twisting what I actually said in the opening post. I DID NOT say 'a genuine fir is always a mark of wealth'. How bizarre.
Thanks for all the responses so far.

Perhaps we could get people to send pics and then we’ll take a stab at class/income/part of the country.

No smell though.

@StatisticallyChallenged

It's all about "authenticity" *@Sparklingbrook*, with a side order of pretentious wankery in many cases. Bit like those folk who think one doesn't buy furniture, one inherits it. Except with tree baubles and making them is permitted

In reality most people buy at least some big multi packs and then add to them over the years with individual decoration they like. I added a second tree this year and I don't like sparsely decorated trees so many new ones were needed.

It's an education, it really is. I don't understand it but it's fascinating.

Oh is it in the Daily Mail? Brilliant.

@Averyyounggrandmaofsix

I have never seen so many people declaring themselves Middle Class, even on here. Hilarious!

Me too.. I am world class btw

Do we have a link to the mail?

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9027227/Can-tell-someones-social-class-choice-Christmas-tree.html

Grew up in a working class, single parent family.... we always had a real tree.

Now we always have an artificial tree, mainly due to loads of cats and young children. The needles are an issue - both in terms of mess and getting splinters.

When our kids are out of toddler stage we may get a real one.... but we’d have to keep the cats out of the room.

I do see a fair bit of tree snobbery on Facebook but just ignore it. We do what works for us.

Hmm, I don’t think that’s in anyway an accurate reflection of this thread.

But I’m not surprised that’s the Mails take on it.

@Level75

I can't understand at all the appeal of fake trees. I would never have one in my house. It's just so weird and, well, fake. It's not a Christmas tree.

Because I'm not allergic to it? And can therefore sit in my living room without wheezing and feeling unwell? Damn good reason not to have a real one if you ask me!

I'm glad others have said they are allergic to real trees, whenever I tell anyone that in real life they seem to think it's not a thing 🙄

It’s definitely a class thing. Usually the old school middle class types who have room to put the tree in their Volvo and country piles which are perpetually cold but they’re far to ‘robust’ from their days at boarding school to put the heating on. They also look down their noses at anyone who has a theme rather than a mish mash of decorations that have been handed down over the generations and anyone who puts their tree up before “the twelve days of Christmas start”.

Artificial, worried about dogs paws with pine needles. Tree was 16 years old, though I have bought a new one and given that one to dd for her place. I heard that after 10 years artificial are more environmentally friendly due to the diesel used to transport real trees. It's also cheaper to have fake, my good one was £125, a real one this size would be £40 every year plus delivery because I don't have a roof rack

Growing up it was always a real tree.
But that was because we lived across the road from a pine forestry and would steal the perfect tree each and every Xmas.

Now CB it’s too hot to have a real one do we have a fake tree, same one for the last 10 years.

We’ve always had real trees mainly because up until 2 years ago dh and I lived in a flat without much storage. So no space for an artificial one.

The going to buy a tree has become a sort of tradition too. But Dm has always had artificial trees. Hers look lovely.

Artificial here and themed!!
I do envy those who can let their kids throw any one tat on the tree.
Sadly it’s not for me, makes my teeth itch mine is very organised even down to the choice of wrapping paper , gift tags and ribbon.

I don’t care what other people do, but I like longevity with my Christmas baubles. I like having the same things on the tree year after year.

We live in a 5 bedroom detached in a leafy London suburb. 3 kids at private school. I'm a SAHM. We have an artificial tree every year and I love it! 🤷🏼‍♀️

I don’t care what other people do, but I like longevity with my Christmas baubles. I like having the same things on the tree year after year.

Yes me too. It’s lovely to get them out year after year and remember where you got them, think back over the years.

This does not lend itself to theming though.