Real tree vs artificial....

[onzephyrstdayofchristmas]

We've had an artificial tree for the last 5 years. When I was little we always had a real one and that was a big part of the excitement of xmas for me, going to get a real tree. So, I'm thinking of getting one at the weekend. I vaguely remember lots of needles everywhere when we used to have them and my Mum getting pissed off with it.. but they do ones that don't drop now don't they? I also remember the arguments and laughter over trying to balance it in a bucket full of bricks!! You can get stands for them now can't you?

I have dd who will be 5 on xmas day, ds is 2.6 and 8 month old dd2.

Good or bad idea??!

Good idea! I've had a real tree for the last 2 years and I'm totally hooked now - I'd never had one before.

I have a plastic backed picnic blanket that I put (plastic side up) underneath the tree. Chose one that doesn't drop much and you can just shake the blanket outside when you take the tree down to get rid of any needles that did drop.

I'll be getting mine at the weekend dd loves going to get them.

Is there a specific name of ones that don't drop too much?

I love real trees - the artificial one never looks quite right!!

I think its a lovely idea. We have always had real trees ds now 3 and dd now 9. So far they have always been ok with them. As for needle drop. I always get one with long needles. With a bit of water daily it seems to last into the new year really well. Plus the smell is fab!

Id go for real, but DS will be 9 months and only DH and I will enjoy it, so will buy artificial for this year, then real when Ds is old enough to get caught up in the excitment of buying it etc. I always remember going on the last day of school which was usually a 1/2 day to get one... being squashed in the back with the top of it over my head, holding onto it for dear life so it didnt fall onto mum whilst driving... all the cursing and swearing when it kept falling over You can get ones that dont drop needles, also dont forget to water it. That helps

I'm allergic to real Xmas trees, they make me itch, so have to have artificial.

oh no
i like the SMELL

Love real trees, there was a mutiny at my dad's when he got a (fairly horrendous) artifical tree and he ended up getting a real one anyway. Poor man!

Yes you can stands now - some of them have built in reservoirs for water to keep the trees from drying out. There will still probably be some drop but try to buy one as fresh as possible too.

2 years ago dh came out in a huge allergic rash to our real Christmas tree - so we've had an artificial tree ever since (cunningly bought in the January sales just after his allergic reaction!). I do miss the smell, but I don't miss the mess or the prickles trying to decorate the damn things!

If you can have a real tree I'd say nothing beats it. Buy a stand with a bowl underneath and top up the water daily. Also supposed to give the tree a shake before bringing into the house to shed the loose needles outside.

i always feel sad for the old brown trees after christmas so have a fake one

I always used to be a "real" tree buyer. Thought it wasn't quite "the done thing" to have a fake one. Then one year as I dragged the 5ft bugger from the garden centre into my car with two whiney kids, got home & errected the spikey, heavy thing all by myself (well apart from the "help" of my small children) I couldn't help wondering what the hell I was doing.
So last year got a fab fake job from homebase & it was bliss - can't wait to get it out again this year!

In Lancashire there's a company who you can "buy" a living tree from. They deliver and then collect it after Christmas so more like hiring really. Haven't done it but am really tempted this year.

hat idea Northender. In asda they are doing 'pot grown' trees so they are still living in their pot and I guess you can just put them outside and keep growing them again after xmas. They weren't very big though...about 4ft.

That should have said 'I like that idea'!

I looked on the website the other day and you could choose any size up to 6 ft I think (£35). Having looked at the bank balance think we will have to get the artificial one down again though.I'm sure other areas must have similar companies/schemes. Always had a real tree as a child and nothing beats it really.

we had a nightmare situation a few years ago - a tree infested with tiny black beetles (we were still finding dead beetles years later). It was most un-festive.

Have had an artificial one ever since.

Our area recycles real trees after xmas (they deliver them to the local farm who mulch them). I really like the idea of hiring a living tree though, never heard of that before.
This year we'll use the little fake tree I bought a few years ago for dowstairs as budget won't stretch.