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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I love real tress as we had them when I was a child, sadly my other half wont have them in our house. So we have a fake but its still lovely :)

We have a real one but only because DH insists. If I had it my way we would be fake all way, I hate forking out money every year to essentially buy a massive plant for the house and then chucking it away a few weeks later with nothing gained except a carpet of pine needles

It's once a year people, got to be a real tree.

Real tree! Its the gift that keeps on giving- you find pine needles in the sofa all year round. grin

Artificial all the way, the dogs ruined the real one by thinking it was theirs...

Fake, less mess and I like the fibre optic lights you get on the artificial trees.

Fake for us! Thank goodness we have a loft to store it in though. It's done 10 Christmases so far so excellent value as still in great condition. (We got it from Homebase). I love to decorate it with all the bits and bobs we've accumulated over the years that hold memories for us. We don't have a particular colour scheme for the tinsel and baubles as I like the more homely feel of all our different things. We put it up right at the beginning of December - can't wait to get my toddler to help me!

As much as I'd like a real one, with 3 boys under the age of 10 and 2 dogs (one being a puppy still) I don't dare entertain the idea! lol

Real. Although we've only had one real in our house as have a cat who likes to attack Christmas trees! Fake are more practical.

A fake pre-lit one, as much as I like real trees, fake ones are so much easier - and with inbuilt lights, no annual untangle!

Fake, real is too much mess :(

Fake - I prefer the shape and love not having to sweep up pine needles! We actually have 2 trees (one black and one green) that way both me and my husband get the tress we both want - one contemporary and classy and one traditional full of colour!

its got to be real - cant find a fake one big enough. also think fake ones are too expensive and don't smell like the real thing.

Fake! We found an amazing tree in the loft when we moved into our house 4 years ago. Doubt we could afford to buy a real tree every year on top of the expense of christmas

Real. One of things I always remember from Christmas as a child is the smell of the Christmas tree. Loft dust just doesn't cut it.

fake all the way, looks amazing every year, no needles to sweep up so no complaints from little feet!

Real trees are nice but I think they are harder to decorate because the branches are often very spaced out. Fake trees are much easier and more suited to a home with small children so we have been using the same fake tree for a few years now. It's money-saving too!

I love the smell of real ones but they're a faff to put up and you end up with pine needles in the carpet for 6 months after, therefore I go with fake plus I prefer the uniform look of fake trees rather than unconventional shapes you can get with the real when there isnt much choice.

Never had a real tree, and the last few years haven't bothered with one at all.

Always real here. After my ex and I split up and it was my first Christmas "alone" I had a fake one and it just looked so sad and sparse and well...fake! Like it was pretending to be Christmas.

We now live in a tiny house so have a very tiny tree, I think this year ours will be about 3ft but it's still so much nicer. I love the smell of them.

Meant to add ours never shed too badly and never cost more than about £15. Apart from the year we had an ENORMOUS one, about 6ft high (bigger house then) and it cost about £40. We don't buy in loads of food or alcohol for Christmas so the cost doesn't make a dent, and it's so worth it for that festive feeling!

I love a real tree, its the excitement of going to view it and collect it that starts Christmas. We haven't had one for 3 years as I was just about to give birth, then having baby and toddler put me off. Hoping to convince OH to go back to a real one this year though :)

Fake- it's less messy and can be used again and again so no annual expense.

We have always used the same artificial tree for years mainly because they cost so much. This year though we are having a real one because I just LOVE the smell!

why do so many people complain about needles with a real tree? put a white plastic sheet round the bottom and decorate over it with fake snow and presents so you don't see it and when taking it down wrap the tree up in an old sheet and take it outside - you don't get any mess...