Would you put up a tree if you weren't at home for Christmas

[TabithaTwitchet]

We are not going to be at home for Christmas day, going to relatives on Christmas Eve for 5 days.
Not sure whether to get a small (real) tree for our house, even though we won't be there.
If I got one, we would put it up on 20th so would have it a few days, then for a week or so after we get back after Christmas.
Part of me (and all of DH) thinks it would be a bit pointless, but I think DD would enjoy having one and decorating it etc (she is nearly 2) even if it wouldn't have presents underneath it on Christmas morning.

We are going away for 3-4 days over Christmas and we will have a real tree. But we are putting it up earlier so we get to enjoy it for longer

When we used to spend Christmas elsewhere I used to just put up a tiny artificial tree in our own house.

no, i wouldn't. i might get a small artificial one or something, but not a big one or a real one

We're having a small artificial tree instead of the usual big real one.

I would put up a fake one, not a real one.

We are going away for Christmas and we are having a real tree - we did the same last year.

We always have done, even pre-children when we went to dh's family's house/my parents. I love Christmas trees.

We usually do. Fake though.

Not bothering this year as we are away from 18th Dec to 10 Jan and DH moans when he has to take it all down again himself!

So I am putting a few Xmas bits and bobs and some lights up tomorrow. Just to feel Xmassy.

Of course, the burglars would be appalled if they found the halls undecked for Christmas

Aargh, still can't decide. Don't own a fake one (and not really that keen on them tbh - I love the smell of real trees) so seems just as much a waste to buy one of them as a real one.
I'd only really be doing it for DD, am I being stupid to think she'd be bothered/interested by the whole thing? (she's almost 2 as I said above)

Oh yes but we only have an artificial one anyway - I will not be having the fresh pine decorations however but IMO a tree is not just for the 25th !

We went away last year for the whole of Christmas and New Year. Didn't put up tree, but did the rest - front door wreath, banister garlands, Christmas knick-knacks around etc.. Plus cards. Thought that'd do fine.
Got to America and discovered the entire place lit up like Las Vegas. Flashing reindeer, snowmen, Santas on sleighs, house lights wherever you looked. Then felt a bit 'Bah Humbug' for my paltry efforts back home.
It can also advertise to the burglars that you're away.

Good to at least have some xmas lights somewhere on a timer! Makes me feel more comfortable about leaving the house empty if I think passers by can see lights on/think someone's in.

We always go away to family for christmas. We never bother with a tree here.

Actually, at almost two, it's not that your DD'll be bothered if you don't have one, but she'll be laying down some memories if you do. Next year, therefore, she'll get excited when she sees it all happening again, as she makes the connections.