If you tend to get a fake Christmas tree, why?

[Spidermama]

Wouldn't you rather have a real one?
I don't understand fake trees. What are the advantages?

Spidermama - I LOVE real christmas trees and would be more than happy to have one every year, but unfortunately we're stuck with an artificial tree because I'm allergic to the real ones! If I go near the needles it brings me out in a terrible rash. I went into the chemist after one particularly bad episode to ask for some cream. The pharmacist almost whispered, "where is the rash dear?" I could have died! So embarrassed that I had to roll up my sleeves and show her my arms in case she thought I'd got something really nasty

Because its pink

Who does a good fake tree then?

Not pink, white or black though!

The last real Christmas tree we got, I bought a really stupid tree holder from B&Q for it, thinking it would look better than a bucket. The trunk was too thick for it so I sent DH into the front garden to file it down to size.
It was a tricky job and pine needles were shook all over the place, most down his top and into his shoulders and arms and hands which led to a whole load of effing and blinding which charmingly coincided with school going-home-time. The local kids learnt a few new words that day.
It finally found its way into the bucket. My cat loved the baubles and playing with them, knocking off the lower needles. I was hoovering up pine needles a good 7 months later.
The thing is, I would still say real is worth it, but DH doesn't and last year we had fake. It looked great. Yes, I missed the smell, but made some gingerbread decorations instead which smell gorgeous.

PS. I got the fake one from Homebase.

I have always been a follower of fake trees while dds were little. I like real ones. Last year we had a real one for the fist time. We will again. But I still have my fake one too.

If you are worried about the environment take a moment to look at all the Christmas window displays and also all the shop doors that remain open while the heating is on in the shops!

white and sparkly - no maintenence. reusable.looks nice

Because a real tree would kill my lovebirds when they ate it and it's not fair to keep them locked up for 3 weeks while the tree is up.
And DD would ping it, she pings her grandparents, both sets of whom have real trees that we were brought up with.

We have had ours since our first christmas in our flat together 6 years ago and it is still going strong, and you can take branches out of the back so it lies flat on the wall!

I got our fake tree from John Lewis 12 years ago and it still looks fantastic

I am also a fan of real trees because I love the smell .

However,last year having a baby just walking, who would be likely to either pull it over (soil everywhere!) or stand on the pines in bare feet (trip to a and e to remove it!) I thought it would be better to have a fake one while dd was little.

I intend to go back to real ones when the children get to an age where they leave it alone!

Chirpygirl you win the prize for the best reason for having a fake tree. Absolutely watertight.

I have the world's smallest front room. I need a skinny tree and real ones aren't skinny enough!

Also, it saves money.

It looks good (if you get a decent one) and it is far easier to tidy up!

These are why I don't and won't ever have a real tree again

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofFOMnmW9Bk

www.youtube.com/watch?v=javk95WXf7M&feature=related

I don't GET a fake xmas tree, I use one because I have already GOT one. Getting a real one would mean putting my fake one in landfill!! So while the kids are small my 3" fake one will come out every year.
When we manage to get a house with a garden I will plant a tree to put outdoor lights on every year and still have my little fake one indoors. Maybe I do prefer a real tree but hey its Christmas for scrooge too y'know, BAH HUMBUG!!

Maryannsinglemas I like your twig tree
I have an artificial one but some christmases I will have a real one for the sumptuous sweet smelling decadance of it! but not this year I suppose....

We live in a tiny 1st floor flat in the East End of London and we don't drive. The sheer logistics of getting a real tree from the shop/market into the flat was quite enough for me one year. And it was so expensive.
My Argos one is just fine although I agree it does not have the romance of a real tree.To partly remedy this, I burn pine eessential oil and also put a few drops on the tree and voila!! Real tree smell.
And tbh once the decorations and lights are switched on it it looks fabulous!!

Thank you

Do I get a prize?

This one is really scarey

we always had a real one when i was growing up, and despite the mess and money, i couldn't get through christmas without one. i love the smell, makes me feel really festive. and our one from last year has been growing outside for the past 11 months, so i can't wait to bring it in again

Message withdrawn

We are getting a fake one this year as our old (fake) one is now a bit tatty - I am donating it to my mother who has no tree!

Dh and I would love a real one but with 3 children, 1 who is hyperactive and 2 under three's, a dog and 2 new kittens it's not practical at the moment so we have bought a 1ft real potted tabletop tree so we can at least have the house smelling christmassy and can then plant it in the garden.

I was brought up with a fake tree so when I moved into my own home I bought one. I don't like it and wished I hadn't but I guess it has saved us money over the last 6 years.
Am going to get a real tree this year and am excited about it! I have never decorated a real tree Might resort to the fake one next year as dd2 will be 1.5 and into everything!

I have't read the whole thread but we have always had a real tree. When my ds & dd were little we just had a smaller one and put it on a table so they couldn't reach it when crawling.When they could reach but could understand no that worked as well
We have a teeny house and always have a huge tree but we do tie it to the window sill each year so it can't fall over!
The dog seems unphased.

So if you would love a real tree but are put off by small children and animals it can be done!

fake is easy peasy and still lovely
real means more hoovering and prickles