Real or fake tree this Christmas?

[Ditsyprint40]

We've had a fake one for the last few years, and I really want a real tree this Christmas but am coming up against opposition!

What are your preferences?

Gerrard Ah yes I'd forgotten about the bringing life into the home in Winter thing. It's the way we've always thought of it and why we always have flowers in throughout the darker months. I think you swayed me back towards a real one.

Odins Thank you. We had a look in our garden centre last year and they were all £300-£800! More than I want to pay. Haven't seen any I like in B&Q etc. John Lewis is a good call thanks. I'll have a look, although I think it might be a real one again this year now.

Can anyone tell me the best type of Christmas tree for the smell? Had a real one the last few years and they've smelt of nada. Faking it with Jo Malone Pine and Eucalyptus so far

Why not Balsam Hill Enid? I've just got ours from there, seemed a bargain but I've not unpacked it yet!

I've never seen a fame tree that I loved in the way that I love real ones. I like Frazer firs best - they have a sort of citrusy pine scent, and don't shed needles all over the place and are narrower than Nordmans which is good in my small sitting room.

Bears Just fancied browsing somewhere else as well. They do look lovely. Which one did you go for? Did you get pre lit? I'm curious how bright the lights are as I like a very warm glow rather than white.

foodie I saw some pine scented sticks somewhere recently. Could've been on Cox & Cox. You hang them in your tree and they apparently smell realistic.

Foodie Sorry! Realised you mean a real tree. Our real ones never really smell that much. They don't shed needles at all either though.

I've not found the appeal of a real tree smell, it's never worked for me.

I bought these last week at John Lewis, the berry ones - they smell lovely!

m.johnlewis.com/brand/scentsicles/_/N-1z0vs9d?s_kwcid=1dx43700013381931560&tmad=c&tmcampid=1&gclid=CPHj0MyG_s8CFeUOcgodbq8Lbg&gclsrc=ds

They're the ones Mothers. I'm not fussed about the smell of pine either. DH loves it. Much prefer berries and spices.

We have gone for prelit, figured it was easier with little DC!

Both. We have two fake (one in study and one in living room) and a real for the conservatory where it survives quite well for three weeks.

I prefer decorating the real trees, and they do look 'prettier' as the branches are evenly spread, but choosing and taking home a real tree feels 'christmassy'.

I meant to say that we prefer decorating the 'fake' trees.

Thanks Edin for both! Yeah same thing really. I had romantic notions it would fill the house with a fantastic smell. It doesn't. Fun going to pick it though

Enid !! Jeez... Puts down...

Thought you were telling me to put the down then and I've only got tea.

I've decided to stick with real this year and have a look in the sales for a fake one for next year.

Oops nope me ha! There are some fab fake ones - and they wouldn't droop...just don't think I'm ready to give up the real tree dream just yet

I always swore by a real tree but every year they get pricier and wider. By the time you've butchered it with the secateurs to fit the corner it's hardly worth it. I bought a fake one in the sales and it looks pretty good, IIDSSM.

this is the one we bought last year. It's beautiful and very quick to put up, just need to fluff our the branches a little. Our previous one took ages as every branch had to be inserted separately. That was also b and q and lasted around 10 years. I fully expect this one to last a similar length of time. At that rate, the price is very good.

I've also bought scentsicles,but from Amazon. I bought the spiced orange and the cinnamon ones. They seem quite strong in the jar so I will add them one at a time until the level of aroma is just right. not that I keep having a crafty sniff of them in their jars, oh no, not me