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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LinnyBee your tree is gorgeous!

We always have had an artificial Christmas tree, purely for convenience. A real tree would be a treat but I would worry about the mess from the fallen needles and how to dispose of it afterwards.
Our tree is plain green and we decorate it with tinsel and baubles. No theme so it looks quite messy haha!

We have a fake tree which has to fit right into the corner of our oddly shaped living room. Its a very slim tall Homebase tree, we call her Kate(Moss)
Our first year living here in our excitement at having our own home, we went out and bought a big fat enormous real tree which would only fit in one place. Right in front of the French windows/the only exit into the back garden. The big fat tree, although very lovely, fell completely over and had to be totally re-decorated maaaannny times that first year. Basically every time anyone needed anything from outside(which was where the alcohol was kept to keep it cold, in the shed. This being Christmas there was a lot of shed traffic.) Causing many not very festive pointed fingers and crossed words!
Hence the following year we purchased Kate! A reliable slim beauty, and a peace keeper. We love Kate the fake tree!

I have always had a fake one - but would love to try a real one just once x

REAL, my daughter has requested a real one this year and I must admit it feels more Christmassy with a real tree xx

artifical

I always wanted a real Christmas tree. Growing up we had a tiny silver tree and I dreamt of a big green one! After I moved in with DP we went to go get one and I was all confused as they were so sparse! Not much room for ornaments or baubles and try were prickly and expensive! So we didn't get one and I ended up buying a massive (green!) artificial one from Homebase - has loads of branches and looks amazing! Miles better than a real one. Also my faux one lasts ages and was a one off expense rather than having to buy a new one every year. I still like the idea of real trees, but I think the fake versions suit the job better for me.

got to be real- although they are getting so expensive these days

Definitely real - I love the smell of the pine!

It's a fake one here! I love real trees and had one a few years back, it was lovely but wasn't as full as I'd hoped. Unfortunately my darling Nanny passed away and I have inherited her tree, it holds sentimental value of course, however it is stunning. I believe very expensive originally, very real looking, full with varying colours in it. A real one wouldn't treat it! Can't wait to put it up!

I love a real christmas tree, unfortunately, our cat drinks the water and eats the pine needles!

real!!!
even though they are expensive and it seems like a luxury - it's my favourite bit of christmas I think

Fake for me - I don't like the idea of a tree slowly dying in my house. If I could have one in a pot and it would survive coming in every year then going back outside, I might consider a real one then

would love a real tree but with a crawling baby and two other children under 5 its just not practical so I think I will wait until they have grown up to go back to my love of real trees - as I was growing up my mum used to keep the real trees and spray them after Christmas they really look pretty in the garden!

Fake. Real trees used to be reasonably priced but not any more so we always go with fake now.

We've had artificial for some years - practical, but not very exciting. Then we had a little growing one - different ones every year as they never seem to thrive. Which is kind of sad and almost defeats the point of getting a growing tree.
This year we're getting a real (cut) one. It won't be a big and expensive one though.

Got to be real; I resisted for years with childhood memories of dropped needles being found by bare feet for months after.

But now I pick well, normally a Fraser or Nordman fir, and have no issues at all (other than disposal!)

I am definitely for fake, have tried real and just didn't think it looked as good. Also fake is less messy :) love my Xmas tree I have at the moment and that's fake u also get the pine sent to make it smell like a real tree :)

A fake one but would love a new one this year hopefully I might win some vouchers !

Real.. its one of our christmas rituals for my husband and lads go to get one. Thats when christmas starts for us.

Has to be a real tree for me. Can't beat that Christmassy scent.
I used to hate real trees when I had carpet, picking all them needles out lol.
Now I have a wooden floor it's not such big a deal.

fake, so much easier

I have both a fake tree indoors and a real tree outside the house

fake, would love a real one but rather but fake so can be used every year

For years now I vow to get a fake and this year I particularly like the minimal bare branch style, but I'm always over-ruled by the family and we buy a small real tree. I'd put up a fight but the smell is so Christmassy there's nothing else like one to feel really festive.

Fake. It lasts longer and with my 2 kids, the bits of a real one would end up absolutely everywhere