Real or fake Christmas tree? Share your opinions with Homebase for a chance to win a £300 Homebase voucher. NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

‘Tis the season once again. With Christmas on its way, Homebase is keen to get Mumsnetters’ views on the pros and cons of getting a real or fake tree.

Here’s what they have to say: “The Christmas tree is at the heart of everyone’s Christmas look but where do you stand on the annual dilemma - real or fake? Are you a fan of the fresh pine scent and traditional feel you only get from a real tree? Or do you go for a versatile artificial tree most years? Let us know if you go as far as ‘lights included’ or if your fake tree came already snow-tipped and adorned with berries and cones. Tell us all about your trees from over the years, whether you decide on authentic or artificial this Christmas and any tips you have on caring for real trees.”

So what do you think? Does the authentic smell of a real tree win you over? Or are smaller artificial trees better suited to your home? Do you get your family's much-loved tree out of the loft each year or is it a Christmas tradition to go together and choose one? Does real or fake really matter to you and your family?

Whatever your opinion, Homebase wants to know.

We’ll enter everyone who posts on this thread into a prize draw to win a £300 Homebase voucher.

Thanks and good luck.
MNHQ

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We've only ever had a fake one, and did when I was a child too. I'd love to try a real one though, think they look lovely although am a bit daunted by the mess!

This is our first year in our new house and we are having a real tree - I am super-excited! I have been buying one decoration a week (mainly different woodland animals) since the beginning of October, this week am going to buy a box of gold baubles and next it will be lights and tinsel. In the flat before it was a fairly small, very kitsch pink one, with silver and turquoise decorations.

You can get stuff to hang better on an artificial one!

We had a real tree when we lived in this beautiful 200 year old cottage in Guernsey with a large open fireplace but now we live in a modern terrace we have a fake tree

Fake - but real in the garden!

Fake - lot less messy and can reuse it

Fake as you can use it over and over again. its all about saving the planet

keep it really every time !!!!

Fake - I like those fibre-optic ones.The way the lights twinkle :)

Having never experienced a real tree that was be something of an anticipation for us.

we had a real tree for the first time last year and I have to say that we absolutely loved it, just looked so lovely...it was one with roots and we tried to keep it alive after christmas but unfortunately had no luck...we were a little devastated!

We have always had real Christmas trees. I like the tradition of going & choosing one the right size & shape & then bringing it home. We always used to get it the day the children break up from school but their senior schools break up too late.

Real ! love the smell and the excitment of going to pick one :)

In our house it is definitely fake. We live in a flat and are out and about a lot over Xmas visiting relatives so it is much easier not to have to think about looking after a real tree. I always liked a real tree when I could plant it out in the garden after but since we don't have a garden any longer I don't like the thought of killing a tree for my decorations.

Nothing beats the smell as you come downstairs in the morning when you have a real Christmas Tree however saying that the artificial ones are amazing these days and you can always buy a scented candle, so my vote goes me fake. SAVE THE TREES!!

We always have a real one.
The smell of the tree when you walk into the living room is amazing!

We always used to have a real one and then when we moved to a 3 storey house, the real one was a massive ordeal so we bought a lovely artificial one, but it just doesn't quite do it so after 8 years of artificial, we're going to have a real one this year

Real

Fake tree - I love a real tree and do find fake trees a little tacky but we always have fake because I feel sad killing a tree and watching it slowly die (I'm the same with flowers!), hate the needles everywhere and they are quite expensive. I also like traditions so find our trusty old tree comforting

Real for me, but we have high ceilings and an ideal space for it. We do gave the ritual when my husband has to soak it in a bucket of water first. Not sure it makes any difference!

I'd love a real tree, the smell always takes me back to my childhood. Sadly, our living room is too small and we have to have a slim artificial tree...maybe when we win the lottery..

A fake trea is easier and less expensive however a real tree looks nicer

We have 2 fake trees - one green and one purple and they have been with us for many years and still look as good as new

I would so LOVE to have a real tree - I grew up in a home where we always had one, and there is still nothing like that "real tree" smell to make me feel Christmassy!
However I am married to a Grinch. Some years I am just relieved he'll tolerate a tree at all! So artificial it is. And I usually buy a tree-scented candle or room spray to attempt to recreate the smell!

REAL - anything else just doesn't look "right"!