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Original poster

Help me decide whether I should be a new artificial tree for Xmas or go for the real thing.

46 replies

pepsi · 10/10/2005 21:14

I know its a bit early but our artificial tree has been annoying me for years, its always wonky and this year I thought we would buy a new one. Looked in John Lewis at the weekend and the trend now seems to be artificial trees with the lights already on, as convenient as it all is I still miss the real trees we used to have when we lived in a house with a wooden floor, since moving 7 years ago to a fully carpeted house we have avoided real trees so as to avoid needles all over the place. Christmas hasnt been the same for me without a real tree. DH wants a fake one because he doesnt like the effort involved in buying the real one...and the argument which usually goes with it.....pro's and cons please ...would prefer pros so I can feel justified in want my heart wants. Are real trees a real pain on carpets.

OP posts:
emmatom · 10/10/2005 21:16

It's got to be real! You can get a decent sized anti-needle drop one for around £20 -£25.

Worth it for the smell alone and there really is minimal needle drop and a quick sweep around occasionally keeps everything under control.

startingtobehalloweenylover · 10/10/2005 21:18

i LOVE real trees! we always have one (well, at my parents house) and we have carpet!
you just need to hoover after you take it out...

so no, they aren't a pain at all. you can get ones that are supposed to keep their needles too... although not always that great.

they smell lovely

they look better

Rhubarb · 10/10/2005 21:19

Do you know how many years it takes for a tree to grow to 6 ft? And then it's chopped down, plonked in a living room, draped with tacky decorations for a week or two, then thrown out.

Do you not think they have feelings?

startingtobehalloweenylover · 10/10/2005 21:20

no. they're trees

emmatom · 10/10/2005 21:21

Raspberries to Rhubarb!!! (grin)

expatinscotland · 10/10/2005 21:22

Would love a real one, but it would drive our cat bonkers - she's already psycho.

So we've got a nice fake one.

ThomBat · 10/10/2005 21:24

Real trees are wonderful but after a needle nightmare with a cat and young baby we bought a great looking fake one. Everyone always says how lovely it is and we think so too. Real ones are the best though but I also hate having to get rid of it in the new year.

Rhubarb · 10/10/2005 21:28

Just look at what you are doing! You heartless fiends!

SAVE OUR CHRISTMAS TREES!!!!

fairydust · 10/10/2005 21:30

we got a non dropping xmas tree last year - two weeks before xams and had it up for nearly 2 weeks after and i only dropped on the last day up - oh and it was 8ft tall and about 5 wide - this yr that's about the size of the whole room so need to go smaller

Rhubarb · 10/10/2005 21:41

Ha! That made you all think didn't it!

Original poster
pepsi · 10/10/2005 21:42

So...general concensus real ones look best and not to worry about needles.....but Rhubarb has pricked my conscious.....when Christmas is over our Council have special collection points for trees.....does this make it better Rhubarb....please dont shout at me.

OP posts:
spidermama · 10/10/2005 21:43

Keep it real Pepsi. For so many reasons.

Original poster
pepsi · 10/10/2005 21:43

Just looked at the pics.......are you tricking us.

OP posts:
spidermama · 10/10/2005 21:45

Rhubarb, perhaps we could find a picture of all the fake trees taking centuries to biodegrade in landfill.

startingtobehalloweenylover · 10/10/2005 21:48

think of all the crappy plastics and chemicals that go into artificial ones

and the children in chinese sweatshops who make them...

get a real one!

Rhubarb · 10/10/2005 21:49

I just hope you realise that every time a plant is hurt, it screams.

Original poster
pepsi · 10/10/2005 21:49

Its going to be a real one I think. Can I take this opportunity to be the first to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Love pepsi xxxxx.

OP posts:
QueenVictoria · 10/10/2005 21:51

Gotta be the real thing!

spidermama · 10/10/2005 21:51

Rhubabrb
Now I know what that terrible noise is when I'm munching my salad.

I best get off the computer now. The trees won't hug themselves.

frannykenstein · 10/10/2005 21:53

Well if you are actually serious about the environmental thing, I think a nicely made artificial one, that you will keep for ever (or at least years and years) is best. In the past I have made my own and decorated it. It's fun to make up your own traditions, who says you have to chop down a tree to make Christmas special anyway?

Rhubarb · 10/10/2005 21:54

Don't believe me? Check this out, you tree murderers!

startingtobehalloweenylover · 10/10/2005 21:56

just because plants release chemicals when "distressed" doesn't mean they feel anything.

spidermama · 10/10/2005 22:00

Ok, ok I've agonised over this one and I figure the christmas trees are a cash crop grown on farms like brocolli or cabbage.

Their use dates back to days of yore, before the 'Christ' was in Christmas. I believe, and they add significantly to the yule vibe.

It's supposed to be about something ever green in the depths of winter.

Rhubarb · 10/10/2005 22:00

60 years it takes to grow to 6 ft and then what happens? It ends up stuck in someone's living room! Before you know it, people will be carving up real turkey's to eat, I mean, what is the world coming to at all?

Where's your Christmas spirit?

spidermama · 10/10/2005 22:01

The one in my back garden took about ten years to grown well over six feet rhubs.

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