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

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[Woodruffshaz]

We have a fake tree... Mainly because one year we decided to get a real one but our dog kept trying to pee up it!!!!! So its fake all the way now, (although he still eyes up all the baubles on it heehee) x

[sweetnuttydogs]

We love a real tree, The smell of pine needles in the morning is just a sign that it is christmas. They look so much better than a fake tree, also I find they are more of a centre piece !

[mclarkie]

When I was a nipper we always had a real tree, now we put up an artificial fibre optic tree, as it's cheaper. and instant.

[VickyRsuperstar]

We have a real tree...outside in the front garden and we decorate it every year with outdoor lights and decs. It's been growing steadily ever since we bought it at the end of 2009! I chose a real tree as I thought it would be much nicer to have a real one, plus more environmentally friendly and because I have 9 children I decided many years ago that the safest place for a tree was outside away from the kids meddling constantly with it! It's right in the front garden outside the living room window where everyone can see it and it's nice for anyone walking past our house to look at too! I like the fact that we have re-used the same real tree year after year and we are now quite fond of it!

[kel1981]

Fake! - cheaper and less mess

[Jocelynne123]

Fake. I would much rather spend the money on my childrens gifts than buying a tree. I have had the same tree for 15 years and it's still lovely. We even put a note in the box when we pack it up. So there are 15 years of messages about what a good christmas we had. What we did. Everyone's favourite gift xx

[Deeceeha]

I have a very realistic artificial tree. Although I like the thought of a real one with smell of pine forests, it's the thought of the needles everywhere and having to dispose of it afterwards that puts me off. I also feel sorry for the poor thing, roots violently amputated, sitting there slowly dying in the corner of my lounge :-(

[serendipity1980]

As a child we used to have a real tree, then switched to fake one. I remember them being really spiky. As an adult with our own children, nothing beats a real tree, the whole experience of choosing it together as a family, decorating it, the smell and the thrill of wondering if it's too big to fit in the house!!

[12LuDo]

I love the idea of a real tree. The smell and the feel of pine needles under my feet reminds me of childhood, but fake is so much more practical for saving space and time!

[aligiraffe]

Fake for me. I had a real one was & the cat destroyed it within 24 hours, so fake all the way from now on!

[happylife88]

We have a fake fiber-optic one it is very pretty! I do like the real ones but there just not very practical in our small house with 2 young children and a giddy dog! I love the way ours lights up especially in the evening! :)

[sundial040]

I probably will not have a tree up this year as i got a puppy and will be working wierd hours so I don't want to deal with the mess when I come home x

[WhatWouldFlopDo]

I love a real tree, it's the start of Christmas for me when we go and choose it.

[helcrai]

Both- we have a real tree in the living room as I love the pine smell. Always do this one tastefully to match the decor. We also have a fake one in the dining room which we let the kids go mad decorating- totally chintz with baubles, tinsel and glitter!It's tatty as anything but well-loved. I have to say I think the fake one looks best- really Christmassy.
My mum and dad had a turquoise(!) fake tree for about twenty five years when we were at home. It was so threadbare you had to smother it in about three layers of tinsel to make it look okay. We all associated that tree with such happy times though.

[sue55]

I do love real trees, we have a very tall but slim artificial tree that fits into the only space we have, we bought the most realistic one we could afford and I prefer to dress the tree ourselves with all the lights and decorations that we have - we try to buy something new each year. If money and space weren't an issue I'd probably buy a real one

[mummyto2boys01]

Artificial - much more cheaper

[jacqroberts68]

Never had a real one how bad is that? Thing is we have a huge mad dog who would wreck a real one.

[eirrac63]

Fake inside, much easier with a real one in the garden

[whizzybop]

I've always had a real tree as they look stunning and have a lovely pine scent adding to the Christmassy feel. Last year my Husband bought us a fake tree on his way home and I loved it. It is very real looking, makes less mess and I don't have to dispose of it each year, which I find sad and wasteful. I shall be sticking with my fake one from now on and will save money too as the real trees are getting quite expensive.

[maxxximus]

Fake - all the best things are fake (.)(.)

[ha2el]

A fake tree for me. I can't stand the thought of the mess of the pine needles of a real one!

[OurBlanche]

We bought an expensive and very realistic fake the very first summer we lived in a house rather than a 2nd floor flat, where we had a table top hideousness. The summer purchase was an impulse buy, it looked so real and we could just about afford it, so we took a deep breath and took it home.

It looks great, has been put up at various heights as we have moved over the years. I usually buy pine needle essential oil and scent a woodland pot pourri that sits near or under the tree.

[Aethelfleda]

Real every time. I know it's decadent but it just takes me back to childhood, I love the scent and the look. Fake trees are just too tidy!

[Carolle]

Cannot beat the smell of a real tree as it evokes the feeling that Christmas is nearly here. Having said that, I have a fake tree at the moment!

[jwjuliejulie]

I just love a real tree - you cant beat the smell and character! I do however have an artificial in case funds are tight like this year as I have moved house :-)