I have a confession to make... B and I have never really gotten a tree. When we moved to Hawaii, we had a little fake table top one but we all know, that isn't really a true Christmas tree.
Now that we have a home and babies and we're
Growing up we only had real Christmas trees. Every year we went out and picked a tree from the lot. Some years the trees were better looking than others but every year we had the real tree smell, the needle mess, and the lasting memories.
I want to get a fake tree mostly because I am cheap. It seems like a better idea to spend $350 on a tree one single time instead of $100 a year. Not to mention, they are pre-lit and look good (better?!?) every year. Here's my problem. THEY ARE CHEESY. Because I grew up with the real thing, fake trees just scream fake, plastic, doucheness.
What about you? Real or fake? How did you make your decision?
I grew up with fake trees. It was just easier. My family lived in Rhode Island, it was cold, and a fake tree was so much easier. Especially since both my sister and I were very young at that time. In the past... oh I don't know 3ish years, my parents now by real trees. The shocking thing though about the real tree has been that it doesn't have that smell that you expect it too. It's disappointing!!!
ReplyDeleteXo-L
simplylowcountry.blogspot.com
i grew up with fake trees, and then my parents got real trees when i was in HS... they are back to the fake, pre-lit. while i LOVE the smell of the real trees, you have to keep up with vacuuming the needles and WATERING it every day, sometimes twice!! its a hassle... AND to top it off, they don't always hold ornaments the best easier! so myself, we just bought a pre-lit tree, and it doesn't look cheesy at all!! they are making them so much better now! :) i hope you can figure out what youre going to do. while you have little one, it may be so fun to bring her out and pick out "the one". so hard! but i'm all about the easiest and the pre-lit just works for me! :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up with fake trees as well. We had our first real tree when I was 15 I think. It was a treat for us when we got a real one, you know, something to splurge on when money wasn't so tight that year. My mom also loved having the fake one along with it those years because then she got to decorate her tree, and the kids got to decorate theirs. But that's what I'd suggest.
ReplyDeleteREAL REAL REAL REAL!!!
ReplyDeleteWe had both in my family...the real tree in the living room and our fake tree in the basement. I have that fake tree in my apartment now because I can't have a real one.
My bff's mom has a fake one because she is a neat freak and doesn't like dealing with the mess.
But I don't there is anything more magical than a real tree, with real smells at Christmas.
REAL REAL REAL! xoxo
I grew up always have a fake tree in the family room (where the presents went!) and a real tree in the more formal living room (that had the train set and little village under it). I definitely choose real over fake. I am SO frugal, but I still love to spend the money on a real tree every year. Plus, my husband would NEVER let a fake tree in the house (he always grew up with real trees). I love the fun activity of going to a Christmas tree farm and cutting down the tree together, and I am so excited that Landon will be with us to take part in that holiday tradition this year. We usually get our real tree for about $60, so it isn't that much to shell out every year. Either way, I'm sure your tree will be GORGEOUS!!
ReplyDeleteI grew up with a real one. We now own a particularly Charlie Brown Christmas looking fake one. Maybe this will be the year for a real one?
ReplyDeleteI have a fake one & everyone always thinks it is real when they come over.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with fake ones but the first thing I did when I moved out, was get a real tree each year. There is just something more magical about it!
ReplyDeleteI grew up with fake trees because my brother has severe allergies, so we couldn't have a real one (something about mold, I'm sure). That said, fake trees have come a long ways. I don't think they look as cheesy as they used to. Especially if you invest in a good one.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up I always had real trees, but since I've been a single gal out on my own, I've starting going with a fake one. It always seemed a lot easier to setup my $20 walmart tree and decorate it than go through all the hassle to get a real one. However, I think if you have a man around to do some of the dirty work and a family, a real tree is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteFake!!!
ReplyDeleteThey don't look fake anymore!!! Plus you can put it up in November and have it last all and still looking amazing in on January 1st.
And they don't look cheesy and plastic anymore :)
Fake!!! Anymore it is so hard to tell the difference between real and fake. I would rather be able to pack up my tree for next year instead of tossing it to the curb.
ReplyDeleteHusby and I are in the same situation right now {kind of}....we have always grown up and had real trees our first few years of marriage. We moved though and where we would put the tree is kind of tiny plus I think we are going to be doing some major traveling over the Holidays. Anyways I LOVE real trees and they are fun but I totally wouldn't blame you for going to the fake route!
ReplyDeleteREAL!! Both my husband and I grew up with real trees. Neither one of us have ever had a fake tree and we never will. Yes, it is expensive every year. But going and picking out our Christmas tree is now a special tradition for us. This will our 10th together. I love everything about a real tree. And if you get one from a real tree farm that is healthy, and keep it watered, there should not be many needles that fall off.
ReplyDeleteI like fake trees. But it has to be a good one. You can't get a chintzy one. Real trees are messy and they don't hold up heavy ornaments very well. This year get a real one, then after Christmas pick up a $350 tree for half price. Just a thought :)
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way as you minus I don't have a family and don't need to be a grown up yet. But I still hate the idea of a fake tree even though it just seems so much simpler. Buttt my trees don't cost $100 they cost about $20 so it still makes sense for me to buy real ones.
ReplyDeleteBoth my husband and I are allergic to real trees, so we happily ventured to Costco a few years back and spent $100 on a really gorgeous real looking tree. We did have a real tree the first two years we were married, but the second year our new puppy kept trying to eat it. I love our fake one, no pine needles to vaccuum constantly!
ReplyDeleteI'm a fake tree gal. I never had a real tree growing up (neither did my husband), so I've stuck with the status-quo. I think they look better and require WAY less maintenance than a real one.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with fake trees (we always had a really nice one that actually looked REALLY real...you'd have to touch it to know it wasn't!) and now my husband and I do a fake tree also.
ReplyDeleteOurs was only $80 at Walmart and again...you'd almost have to touch it to know it isn't real! Also...we don't have any Christmas tree farms here, and I'll be darned if I'm going to go hike 20 minutes out in 2 foot deep snow (or 2 foot deep mud, depending on the weather) to drag back a tree that's going to die in 2 weeks. ;)
Fake. And then burn a pine scented candle. ;)
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ReplyDeleteReal trees are really nostalgic but I think fake trees are the way to go. With a fake tree, you already have your tree so you don't have to go and buy one every year. And like it's been said fake trees are alot less cheesy then they use to be. My mom and dad have a fake and my mother decorates it every year and it is gorgeous! Fake trees are what you make of them. If you want the "real" tree smell, they do have sprays that you can buy. Or you can buy a small tree (in a small pot) for the smell and then plant it in your yard and every year have your very own Christmas tree. Okay, I'm talking too much. You know what your really want :)
ReplyDeleteWe have a fake one, though I think maybe when the baby is older we might get a real one, for memories sake.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the fake trees, they are easier and cheaper in the long run. OUr current tree is tiny and we need a new one so my husband (who prefers real ones) insisted since it's our son's first Christmas we get a real one this year and then in the future go back to fake.
ReplyDeleteI prefer fake, for two reasons I have allergies and so does my significant other and the real ones are so messy and a lot of work watering and such. You are right they have come a long way now with the pre-lit (which I have and love...makes it so much easier to decorate).
ReplyDeleteI had a fake one growing up because of my brother's allergies. Once he moved out, my parents kept the fake tree but they also bought a small real tree to put on a table. It was fun to have both. I have a fake tree. For me it just seems easier than buying a real one every year. Maybe when my kids are older, I will try the fake and real tree thing like my parents did.
ReplyDeleteREAL! I grew up with fake trees, and only started getting a real tree since 2009 (when I started dating my husband). Now, I couldn't imagine getting a fake tree. I mean, I could, maybe for a "theme" tree or for something like that. I love real trees, even though they are a lot more work. I think they look so much better and are much nostalgic. We usually buy our tree at the end of November after Thanksgiving/early early December, and it still lasts well into January.
ReplyDeleteThere is just something about a REAL Christmas tree! They get my vote!! :) No matter how much "pine smell" you spray on those fake suckers, they're just that: fake.
ReplyDeletexo
My mom always gets a real tree and I love it, but we have a fake tree and it is amazing. I think there's something to be said for the lack of hassle needed with a fake tree. That and you can get ones that look completely real and even come with lights on them. Once we get a place that fits a tree bigger than three feet tall that's exactly what I'm going to go for.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, though, on the real tree. They're so nice but so much work.
Real! When we were at Fort Meade the USO did a tree giveaway.. you just had to sign up and then go to the tree farm and pick which one you wanted. I loved our tree!! We do real every year. Except last year.. and that's cause I lived on the third floor and was NOT dragging a real tree up there. Regardless there is just something so magical about a tree period.. but keep in mind if you get a fake one, it's another thing you gotta move when you PCS!
ReplyDeleteI bought a fake tree the year my daughter was born & 21 years later we are still using fake. Easier; cheaper; cleaner; safer; less allergy problems.I can manager put up/take down all by myself. No brawn required. I missed the smell, but fixed that with candles, scentsy and/or real greenery in other places...wreath, swag, boughs on mantle.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a real tree. We didn't have them growing up (why, I'm not sure) so I never felt the need to have one. Joe's family, on the other hand, has always had real trees. Just about every year, he's asking me about getting a real one. I know they're pretty and everything, but... I feel like it's a waste of money. It's only up for a month or less. We're usually traveling during the holidays anyway... And I can use a fake one until I get tired of it!
ReplyDeleteWe have a fake tree... it's just too much work right now to get a real one. I'd love to do a real one once I have kids but for now fake it is.
ReplyDeleteReal! But here in Oregon (one of the leading states of christmas tree growing) I can get a tree for 10-30 dollars. We always go and cut down our own tree too. It's been a tradition since I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteI always loved fake when I was little, but living in an apartment the hassle and the fire danger is just never worth it anymore so I broke down and bought a $30 dinky fake one. Once it has everything on it, it doesn't look bad at all.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, we always had both. We had a fake tree that we put lights and ornaments on as a family in the den, and then we had a small real tree that was more for decoration in the living room. Because the fake tree was the one we opened presents under and had family Christmas parties "under", that was the only Christmas tree that meant anything. It's not about whether it's real or fake, it just comes down to the fact that it's the center of your family and celebration during the holidays. Your kids will remember the people and presents and events, not what kind of tree it is!
ReplyDeleteWe always always always had a fake tree and we even had one that was white and I thought it was just as pretty as a fake! One year, my Dad broke down and got a real one and I'll never forget how much of a mess it was with the dogs and cats! I'm pro fake tree all the way!
ReplyDeleteFake. I have had my Christmas tree since I was a kid. It's 24 years old and looks amazing. My mom got it on sale after the holidays were over.
ReplyDeleteMaybe do a real tree this year and then look for a nice fake one for the future. what I like about fake is because of kids. They don't fall apart like real trees. They aren't as big of a fire hazard as real trees. You don't have to do anything but decorate it.
It's all pref though. I prefer fake. My son has a fake 4ft tree in his room that he just loves so much. :)
Definitely REAL! I had them all growing up and it's just so much more Christmasy!!
ReplyDeleteFake for us! SO much easier to deal with, and since we all have allergy issues fake trees are the way we go.
ReplyDeleteWe're kind of in the same debate! We've always done real but this year we've been contemplating getting a fake one.
ReplyDeleteReal!
ReplyDeleteIt's the family tradition :)
I like them both! But this year we're thinking we'll have one real tree and one fake one - the real one will go in the front room and smell nice, but the fake one will be bigger and in the den!
ReplyDeleteI vote real! Nothing beats the smell of a freshly cut tree!
ReplyDeleteThey have some really nice fake trees now. I never grew up with Christmas trees (Sad, I know...) But now that I do I have tried both real and fake and I must say while nothing beats the smell of a real Christmas tree, it is such a pain in the ass to clean up the needles!
ReplyDeleteBut then again I am a clean freak and was constantly vaccuming them.
Lanaya
www.raising-reagan.com
I;ve always only have a fake tree, but for the first time ever the hubbs mentioned getting a real one this year. He's anti real Christmas trees so I don't know what has come over him. Either way I think I'll take it. I've never had the experience of a real tree even growing up. I told him if we do it I want the full experience, going to the tree farm and picking one out ourselves, not at a road side stand. lol We will see what we end up doing.
ReplyDeleteMy older sister had an allergy to pine so we never had a real tree growing up. My husband's family also had fake trees so when we got married, it seemed crazy to us to spend tons of money to kill a tree then throw it away after a month. It just seemed wasteful and expensive. Especially since we were on such a tight budget (we bought a gorgeous 7 foot, pre-lit tree on 75% clearance after Christmas at Target the first year we were married and it has served us well!). Aaaaanyway, we still have fake trees and love them, but we do plan to do the real trees at some point when we have kids. We're not against it now like we once were. We do have a pine tree in our yard that we like to decorate for now! :)
ReplyDeleteWe have an 8' prelit fake tree. Fake because our son and myself areallergic to pone....
ReplyDeleteWe love it and got it after Christmas clearance
I grew up with a real tree, but for space (we have a small house), we have gone with a 4 foot fake tree that I got at a garage sale. Honestly, with all the ornaments, lights, and icicles, I barely notice. I guess that it's because it's MINE...MY FAMILY's tree, it has come to mean a lot, ya know? I can't wait to set it up this year.
ReplyDeletePersonalized ornaments help too. Every year I make ornaments from personalizationmall.com with a photo and the date from the year aka "christmas 2011, etc" I've done it for the last few years. Anything you can do to make your tree YOURS and the real vs. fake issue seems to fade away. At least it did for me.
Oh and make memories while you are putting it up. Christmas music, get the daughter involved, that kind of thing.
I would go with fake. Only becuase you do have little ones, it makes it a lot easier to put up and take down. I love the smell of real ones, but they are too much of a pain in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteSo I vote for fake. But that is just my opinion. :)
I grew up with a ginormous fake tree that my mom decorates so prettily (is this a real word?) every year. When my brother and I were young we bugged my parents enough one year to buy a real tree and it was just meh. I now put up a fake tree every year at my house. And yes, I totally leave the lights on it when I pack it up.
ReplyDeleteMy vote? Fake tree and light a christmas tree smelling candle :-)
We have a fake tree that we put up every year and we love it. We never have to worry about pine needles on the floor, it's not hard to put up, and it's convenient. Plus, it looks really nice. We always have a beautifully decorated tree that welcomes the spirit of Christmas :) that was cheesy, but it's true.
ReplyDeleteIf you like the smell, get a candle!
We have a fake tree. For two main reasons.
ReplyDelete1. Less vacuuming and less mess.
2. We don't have to buy a new tree EVERY year. Instead I can use that money on other gifts, new decorations, or whatever else might come up.
And I agree. For the smell, grab a candle!
Love, The Skinnys
I've always had real trees, but those fake ones are tempting with the fancy "pine smell" sprays and better construction. I really like the process of going out to pick out the tree each year so I would miss that. Maybe a nice fake tree, and then a tiny real tree for a table? See how I'm totally helping you save money there?! Buy both! Haha
ReplyDeleteI love real trees, but I own a fake. It's just so much easier to put up and to put it away.
ReplyDeletehttp://heidiswanderings.blogspot.com/
we have a fake tree...less mess and much easier and I totally suck at putting on lights!
ReplyDeleteReal one ALL THE WAY!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a real tree girl. I cannot get past the fake plastic crap exterior no matter how much easier they are. Daniel grew up with fake trees and it makes me want to gag. Might as well pack up and move to the trailer park. hahaha
ReplyDeleteWe had real when I was little, but then switched to fake. Myparents found a good one that seemed real other than the smell.M omma bought the candles that smelled like Christmas tree and it was all good!
ReplyDeleteSince I have a lead free artificial Christmas tree for almost 5 years and did not experience any health problems so far. I also did not want to gather pricks and dried leaves everyday. So Fake Trees is the best option for me sort of people.
ReplyDelete