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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
Sequoiadendrongiganteum · 07/12/2020 13:29

Real tree growing up. Artificial now. All those needles under the carpet! No thanks.

Gooseygoosey12345 · 07/12/2020 13:30

Oh and my sister is far better off (financially), and she always has artificial

Momsincharge · 07/12/2020 13:31

Artificial trees are good for people with allergies and are less of a faff. Good ones aren’t cheap.
That said we always get a real tree. It’s a ritual that the kids love.
Themed trees are not my thing, unless in hotel lobby. But really, is any Christmas tree bad?

Europilgrim · 07/12/2020 13:31

We've had our artificial tree for over 20 years so I feel it's paid its way environmentally by now. It does drop needles though - maybe it thinks it's a real tree. Grin

FatCatThinCat · 07/12/2020 13:31

@HitthatroadJack

Cats are a pain with trees, any tree, but dogs? Never had a problem with mine.
The only problem we have with the dog and the tree is that he knows which present under it is his and growls at anybody who goes near it.
PatriciaPerch · 07/12/2020 13:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

UncleBunclesHouse · 07/12/2020 13:34

We usually have a real one (or several) and prefer it, but now with toddler we have resigned ourselves that artificial is going to be a lot more practical for a few years. Just put it up and am very impressed with it, it looks very realistic and I’d happy use this forever, just missing the smell so far!

AcrossthePond55 · 07/12/2020 13:35

Not in the UK so I suppose the 'class' thing doesn't factor in for me. We always had a real tree and I was violently opposed to a 'fake' one. I'm glad we had real trees when the DC were growing up. Going to the lot together and picking the 'right tree' was wonderful.

But now DH and I are retired and the DC are grown. It just became a hassle to go to the lot and traipse around to find the 'perfect' tree. Then the hassle and mess of putting it up and stringing the lights. Then remembering to water it. Then the needles in the carpet as it slowly dried out plus the mess of taking it down and disposing of it.

So a couple of years ago we 'splurged' on a high quality Balsam Hill pre-lit tree. It wasn't cheap but should last us the rest of our lives. It has both clear and colored lights and even a remote control with 5 settings. It's just so easy to put up and take down, plus no watering and no mess.

I admit if we still had small children we would still get a real tree and I do miss the smell. But we found a candle that smells like an Xmas tree and at this point in our lives easier is better.

I don't look 'down' on anybody's choice. From a real tree to a vintage '60s silver tree with a color wheel, it's what feels like Xmas to each of us that matters.

IsabellaMozzarella · 07/12/2020 13:36

I looked it up a few years ago as to which was better for the environment. A local, real tree is best for the environment from what I read. Growing trees is good for global warming, and flood protection. Local = less transportation emissions.
Aside from that, always had real tree and would be placed in the middle class category.

InglouriousBasterd · 07/12/2020 13:37

I’ve definitely found this! The school (outer London, wealthy area) has a Christmas tree sale where they start at £45. I could never afford that so the trusty artificial is rolled out every year Grin DDs (richer) classmates have real trees.

The decorations are collected over the years on holidays etc. and they all mean something to us.

Wolfff · 07/12/2020 13:37

I did used to judge people with fake trees. However living in a 2nd floor flat, paying extortionate prices (London) for a real one and with grown up kids, plus the hassle of disposal (chopping up with secateurs), we invested in an Argos fake one 2 years ago. It looks real when the baubles and lights are on and I happily trade the pine smell for less hassle and mess.

speakout · 07/12/2020 13:37

Always real.

THis year we will have zero guests over christmas- and the tree is not at a window, so if it's snobbery I'm not sure who I am trying to impress.

Shesellsseashellsontheseashore · 07/12/2020 13:38

I have an artificial tree. I got it for an absolute bargain about 4 years ago and will keep it for many many years. Its 7ft tall and for the price I paid its looks much more expensive. Never had a real tree and don't intend to ever get one. People I know are a mixture of real or artificial trees.

HopeTheHeraldAngelsSing · 07/12/2020 13:39

This reply has been withdrawn

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

Sparklingbrook · 07/12/2020 13:40

An artificial tree= fake plants. That’s a new one. Grin

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 07/12/2020 13:40

We were poor when I was growing up and we had a 3ft wire and tinsel job, except one year (which is still going, its 1970s retro cool now) , when I was about 10 I was ill and asleep on the sofa, and I remember waking up and there being a smell of spruce and a big real tree standing there. It was magical.

So we always have a great big real tree now. DH is posh/middle class but his upbringing was chaotic so no trees at all at xmas when he was a kid. : ( : (

OneForMeToo · 07/12/2020 13:42

We sometimes add a real tree to the collection but we have two main fake trees one is approx 13 years old so very eco friendly. The newer one is now 3 ish years old. The children decorate both main trees as well as smaller ones in their rooms.

Its a hassle keeping a real tree and personally unless you have the space for a huge real one I find they look very meh and spindley.

HitthatroadJack · 07/12/2020 13:42

An artificial tree= fake plants. That’s a new one.

technically, it is, artificial tree are also called fake tree. It's hardly new.

UndertheCedartree · 07/12/2020 13:45

I grew up in a very middle class home - we always had an artificial tree. But us DC weren't allowed to decorate it as it had to be perfect! Now, I'm on a low income but we always get a real tree. I just love the fresh smell of it and the feel and look. We decorate it as a family - it is a mish mash of decorations. I think it is just personal choice.

Sparklingbrook · 07/12/2020 13:45

@HitthatroadJack

An artificial tree= fake plants. That’s a new one.

technically, it is, artificial tree are also called fake tree. It's hardly new.

Ok but can’t really see the comparison. 🤷‍♀️
HarrietOh · 07/12/2020 13:47

Yeah definitely not a class thing. I grew up working class family with very little money and always had a real tree, couldn't afford a fake!

FourTeaFallOut · 07/12/2020 13:47

The mould spores on a real tree have me wheezing within a week so I have to slum it with an artificial tree that looks gorgeous, that doesn't shed, that we don't have to hunt for each year, that we don't have to commando crawl under the tree to water getting jabbed in the back, that I don't have to lug to the tip in January, that is ten years old and cost £50 in a sale.

ArtichokeAardvark · 07/12/2020 13:47

Not so sure about class but it might be more of a town v country thing. My parents are rural so we always had real trees growing up. When I moved to London and was living in a top floor flat, I had an artificial one as there was no way I was going to lug a real tree up 4 flights of stairs. I've now married and moved back out to the countryside and this year we have our first real tree again.

Shesellsseashellsontheseashore · 07/12/2020 13:48

@HopeTheHeraldAngelsSing

To me it would be like having fake plants, it just wouldn't occur to me to have a plastic tree. If I'm honest I think it's a bit of a weird thing to have.
A christmas tree is not the same as a house plant though is it. Its a decoration (holder) that you have for approx a month. So a fake tree with fake decorations looks fine to me. Thinking about it really, cutting down and tree and then bringing it into your house could be seen as weird Grin
Wexone · 07/12/2020 13:49

Always had a real one growing up - dunno weather its a class thing or not. An artificial tree is more energy intensive to produce than a real one and is not recyclable, so will languish in landfill for years and years. Real trees, on the other hand, can be bought locally and replanted or recycled. Yes my tree cost 60e but it was bought from a fella down the road, its his business he provide employment to 10 other people in the community. Then you bring it back to him and he shreds to go into chippings to use in gardening. So for me am doing my bit to help our community and the environment. I ma not going to judge though if you have a fake tree. Each to their own