We always had real at home, and still do (in the sitting room - DM now has 2 more fake trees in the conservatory and study!).
When DH and I bought our first house, we got the keys in September to the shell (builder's finish) and worked like demons to finish it off. We were getting married in February. And we were smashed broke! (Still had a concrete floor downstairs, bare floorboards upstairs and we had 2 folding chairs to sit on). So I got a very cheap 5' fake in Primark and splashed out on a small collection of decent-ish glass decorations there, which were sparse on the tree, and a set of lights and 3 strings of tinsel to hide the bareness. We've used that tree at least 10 times since - every year we travel "home" (lots), the year DD was 1 (Boxing Day babe) and probably another couple. But I really do like a real tree when we stay in our own home.
We are in our current house 15 years now. DH announced the other day that we finally have a proper place to put the tree (it's tried a few spots over the years!) as we got a big bookcase built in which includes the tv, so that's not in the sittingroom window anymore. So I suspect we may have a real one this year.
If we don't, I will be sourcing a replacement fake. The Primark one is still functioning, surprisingly well!, but it's starting to get a bit bare and we have a LOT more decorations now which we can't fit on it. So if that spot is the permanent spot, we'll need a 6, 6.5 or 7 foot tree really. I must look again at Balsam Wood - and if I pass my interview next week and get a promotion, I may splash out on that. Otherwise, hunting for a decent one in Ireland is harder, but probably places like good garden centres may be an option.