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

Its got to be real, if not just for the smell of the tree!

We use to have a real one until we had children and the little one shook the pine needles off the tree! Now we have a HUGE lovely Fake one... I'm sure we will return to real when the kids are older, they bring a lovely smell into th whom.

Real! I would love a real... i love the smell and the pine on the floor! its all part of Xmas Magic..... But i have to many little hands and feet that can be pricked with the needles! so until my kids are older its Fake for us :) which is just as good sometimes :) x

Definitely artificial - with two boys who seem to love to wrestle and throw balls around I wouldn;t be able to cope with a real one !!!!

Fake always...Real is too much mess

would have to be fake that way we can recycle it in the loft

I LOVE the idea of going out and choosing a real tree but I love our fake tree. Kiddies love putting it together, x

Got to be real! My husband hates the length of time it takes me to choose one each year bug it's got to be perfect!!

Artificial - dogs, kids and real trees - too much work at Christmas!

I really do love a real tree! The smell just smells like Christmas to me. Although, I have been swaying towards buying a pre-lit artificial tree more and more the past couple of years, due to the fact I absolutely despise putting fairy lights on trees. It literally takes me hours to get it right!

love the smell of a real tree...

This year we have our usual fake tree with loads of baubles but next year when my little boy is older we will try a real one . probably just to say we have done it.

I LOVE real Christmas tree's! They smell so nice and I even like the sound they make when the needles drop.

Trouble is, they're not very Eco friendly. They cost about £40-£50 these days. I finally succumbed to a fake tree 6 years ago and have still got the same tree. It's looking good and wont need to be replaced for a while yet... doesn't smell the same though!

artificial for me although i do love the smell of a real chiristmas tree xx

Ahem, we have both! I get my big real tree, and he has a fake tree so he can enjoy the experience of getting it out of the loft and putting it together

I like real ones but it makes me want to cry when they die. For years I tried to keep them alive, buy potted ones, care for them etc. They still died.

So we have an artificial one now. It's less traumatic.

Never had a real one, although DH this year wants one. I'm surprised at the cost and also don't want to have all the needles shed on the carpet. Not sure when is the best time to buy a real one too, so that it lasts until 12th night...

With children, a dog and a cat, it's artificial for us at the minute. I've never had a real one though and would love to one day!

Real. We all go together to choose the tree from the local Christmas tree farm. We then take it home and decorate it together. You can't beat the fresh fir smell it's so Christmassy.

I do artificial. To me Christmas isn't about the tree, but about how it feels as a whole. We have great enjoyment decorating it. We use the same one each year but always change up the decorations which DS loves helping with.

Real if I know it's not been sprayed with nasty chemicals.

Thank you all for your comments. The winner of the prize draw is SleepIsForTheWeakAnyway :)