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

[Lovewhereilive]

Faked it for years now real all the way!

[EDisFunny]

It always a real tree for us, it just doesn't feel right to have a fake one.

[chocomochi]

Would love a real tree but so expensive and only last a couple/few weeks. Also hate the thought of planting a tree and cutting it down just for Christmas for it to be thrown out in the new year.

We have had a plastic one for the past 8 years or so and still going strong. We love getting it our first weekend of December!

[ShatnersBassoon]

Fake. We bought it in B&Q about 12 years ago and and it's still looking decent enough. With coloured lights and tinsel, of course. I go for a shabby shite theme.

[prettybird]

I refuse to buy pre-netted trees: I have to see the full shape of the tree before buying. I like a really bushy tree - the last few years we've had to compromise on height ( only getting an 8-9 footer ) in order to get the required bushiness

We have on occasion had to make do with string around the branches as it's been too bushy to go through the netting doofer

[DickDewy]

I refuse to buy pre netted too.

I have been known to get the obliging staff to strip the nets off only to re-net them. I always think my sitting room is larger than it is though.

[slithytove]

Real. But I hate doing the lights so might get a decent fake with built in lights in January.

We buy the ikea tree though so it only costs a fiver in the end

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

Growing up we always had an artificial tree (and my parents still do these days).
However I've since discovered the joys of a real tree and have had one for the last 10 years or so.
It just seems so much more Christmas sy - more authentic, the smell, the look, the dreaded pine needles dropping (& finding them in the carpet way into the new year!).
I love going shopping for one (always amusing to see my other half struggle to carry it home!) and I love decorating it too - white & silver all the way (no tinsel!).
Once it's up it's a sign Christmas has begun!

[ItsTimeForDuggee]

Has to be real non drop spruce. Love the smell and the texture if looked after properly they last longer than a few weeks

[TheFairyCaravan]

We have artificial ones. A really tall, slim green one in the sitting room and a smaller white one in the dining room.

I used to hate it when we were children and the needles of Christmas tree stabbed us in our feet.

When the children were little and they'd "helped" decorate the tree, I'd have to re-do it once they were in bed because I hated having 2 red baubles next to each other! We used to do the new bauble each year, too, but we stopped once they got to their teens.

[trixymalixy]

It's not Christmas without a real tree. It has to be the traditional type that smells amazing and drops all the needles. The non drop ones don't smell as nice at all.

[Vijac]

We will have a fake one with lights on this year. We bought it in the sale last year, it's a really good and pretty pricey but we will use it for by years now. We also have a smaller old woolworths one, think it was £10 that goes in the other room. We had real trees for quite a few year which felt a bit more authentic. Quite exciting going to choose them but ultimately more hassle-sweeping leaves, dragging home, cutting the bottom, watering, recycling. Also more expensive over time. With young children I am taking the easy route and I think they look just as nice if not better. Though everyone will know it's fake if that bothers you-it doesn't me.

[cakedup]

Always had a fake tree. Only time I had a real one was when I was a young child. Every year, normally after I've put my fake one up, I see the real for sale and wonder if I should try it one year. Having said that, I've always loved white artifical trees, something magical about them. And people always moan about the needles. That's the kind of thing that would probably quite annoy me too.

[GingerIvy]

We have had both over the years. I much prefer the real tree but it played havoc with my children that had allergies. So it is unfortunately artificial in our house but at least there aren't needles all over the carpet and I don't have to worry as much about tree placement as you do with a real tree to prevent it drying out too soon.

[Benzalkonium]

Would hAve a real tree despite environmental implications if house was big enough.

Hard to find a space for it as it is.

[DillieDoily]

It wouldn't be Christmas without a real tree. I love the excitement of choosing the perfect one, the divine smell and the fact that each one is unique. Artificial trees always look far too fake, same-y and neat for my liking- nowhere near the same shape as a real one.

[pillowaddict]

I love a real tree and always have one now I have space. I also get a couple of the mini real ones for bedroom and office desk. I love the smell and authenticity of colour etc. I also (randomly) Love the line coverings over the present pile - seems like an extra sprinkling of chrstmas on the gifts!

[VirginiaWoofs]

Fake! You can get brilliant fake ones (although they are £££) but they last for years and look just as good as real ones

[toptomatoes]

Real! Pine needles are the only thing I don't really mind sweeping up. We've got a small one in a pot this year to put outside the front door as well.

[gazzalw]

Brought up with real trees, but defected to artificial ones for ease and safety with the arrival of DCs (and a climbing cat!). However, our expensive M&S one, bought last year, has an incline , so this year we're opting for a real one.

Expecting pine needles everywhere with an active tomcat who no doubt will be climbing in it. It will make a welcome change though - hopefully it will have a lovely pine scent too.

But real trees are expensive and effectively 'money down the drain' so not convinced that we'll be changing to real trees permanently - it may be a one-off.

[WarmHugs]

I have no sense of smell, so real trees have no appeal to me at all!

I prefer artificial trees, as you don't have to spend money every year on a tree, just whip out the old one. Then I get to spend money on new decorations each year instead!

[PurpleThermalsNowItsWinter]

Fake. I would consider a real one if I was in a bigger house and it could go in the entrance hallway (think downton abbey big house) but in a traditional 4 bed house I am happy with fake. No worries over pine needles in the dc's feet.

[dgcoco5]

We love real tree but going for fake this year because last year real tree was a nightmare to get out of the house ! Couldn't break it down , needles was ever where & our hoover nearly broke down after clearing the needles! ! Much as we love the pine scent of it & expecting a new baby anytime now we're going for fake this time & spray tree with pine scent

[Notgrumpyjustquiet]

Definitely a real tree. And it's compulsory to sing it home and also compulsory to crack open the first bottle of Port and have mince pies to hand while decorating it. Well worth the expense and faff of hoovering up all the needles for ever more. Apart from the year I only paid a tenner for one that was bald after a week.