CHRISTMAS tree: real or artificial

[Viking]

How about no Xmas tree? I'm not a big on holidays, unfortunately Xmas has been more of a 'marketing holiday' then ever.

Make xmas what you want I say!! I'm not religous or from a religous family so I view it more as a festive get together with friends and family. I try and avoid the overly commercial side of things, we don't do big presents or anything, I never had them as a child and it never did me any harm. Only thing we tend to go full bore on is the xmas dinnner!!

Oh yeah, we have a fakey tree!! Allways had a loved real trees growing up but fakey ones aint half easy year on year!! 

[Switchy]

How about no Xmas tree? I'm not a big on holidays, unfortunately Xmas has been more of a 'marketing holiday' then ever.

It is all good bro., I have went years with out one after the divorce .  Can live with one or out one.  LOL sometimes with family , and presents, kids, they are nice other times they suck !  It is what Christmas is all about Tom, my bro.. But oh yes how I know what you are saying , give me a candle and let me count my blessings  as you and I know it could get ah heck of alot worse.

[Frontier Guy]

One other thing we started several years ago, was a small "memorial tree". This has only lights and few decorations.  The decorations are actually silver-plated picture frames with pictures of loved ones we have lost over the years.  It is a great way for us to honor them and has been great for the kids to know some of the relatives they never met or would not remember too well.   We are sad when we have to add a new picture to the tree, but are happy to have a unique way to remember them at Christmas.

That is brilliant - what a great way to remember people, to keep their spirits/memories alive, and to integrate them into your children's lives.

[clarinetguy]

Real tree here- when you live in New England it just works well.

[Slyfive]

Real tree for me, we never have, and never will have a fake one, such a wonderful smell... Although I did notice while putting it up, that the feeling of pine needles on the bald done is horrible

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Although I did notice while putting it up, that the feeling of pine needles on the bald done is horrible

True, very true, particularly when it's taken down and become dry--then they feel like pins.  Not without its benefits though, it's a lot easier to get any pine sap off your head than when it's gotten attached to hair--yes I remember that and it's part of Christmas I'm glad I don't have anymore!

[Petunia]

I have my Mom and Dads Christmas tree up this yr.  My Mom passed away in July of thie yr and with the Grandkids (all 10 of them) I wanted to put something up.  OOps!  It's artificial.

[benlen]

I think it's incredibly wasteful to use a real tree if you don't chop it up/let it sit for firewood later! Those who cut the trees and then toss them to rot, shame on you!

[mahaw90]

Mine. Fake this year as the dogs get the pine needles in their feet!

[Drainman66]

Just bought a fake one from Sears it has the lights already on it and it took only 2 minutes to put it up.

[tomcj2]

Christmas tree farming is one of the major agricultural items in Oregon;  they are shipped from here throughout North America.  There are plenty of service, youth or charitable organizations that sell them for $10 to $20, and dozens of U-Cut farms nearby.

DO NOT put your tree in a stand.  Hang it from the ceiling.  I have screwed a 5/16" hook into the ceiling, wrapped thin, strong aircraft cable around the tree about a foot from the top, and hung it so the bottom is a couple of inches off the floor.  Put a water filled bucket under it and you are all set.  It automatically hangs straight, and it cannot be knocked over.
To make life even easier, put another bucket beside the tree, and set up a siphon hose. To add water to the tree simply keep the second bucket filled and let the siphon do the work.

[baldjoeg]

We have always had a real tree. I love the fragrance and the look of a real tree. In the future if I ever buy an artificial tree, I will make sure that it is pre lit. That is the hardest part of decorating the tree I think.

Merry Christmas to all my sly brothers.

[mahaw90]

I do love the smell of a real tree, very festive smell.

[Slyfive]

still loving the smell and look of our tree!

[Switchy]

Mine is also going to last until the 1st.  Also have loved that smell.