TELL US: Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees
It's a decision families make every year - are you willing to withstand the cold, sap and needles necessary for an 'authentic' Christmas?
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Sure, everyone appreciates some good holiday decor. But have you ever been tempted to take it easy on yourself and purchase an artificial Christmas tree?
Purists won't go near them, but for others, the thought of chopping down a tree - leaving needles, sap and leaking water in your living room - is not their idea of a happy holiday.
Despite the hassle, real trees outsell their artificial cousins by more than a 3-to-1 margin each season, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Bear in mind, of course, artificial trees can be reused every year.
Tewksbury Patch Readers, what do you think? Are you undertaking the Griswold family tradition this year, or are will an artificial tree do the trick for your family?
SD From T-Bury
12:07 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
We cut down our tree every year at a tree farm. Wouldn't have it any other way! I have an old artifical tree in my attic. Hasn't been out of the attic in a decade.
Karyn
12:22 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
A bit too old to do the cutting anymore but not to do the picking out of a fresh tree to support local business! Already too much artificial stuff in the world. Nothing like the smell of fresh balsam at Christmastime!
Steevo
9:20 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
It seems they can now make artificial trees completely real. At a short distance you wouldn't know the difference. Just add some Glade pine freshener or a pine scent candle and you're home hassle free. I'm all for FAKE.
Julia
8:46 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
It kills my kids every year when I put up our fakey tree. I bought it right after Christmas 2 years ago and it looks just like a real tree, without the mess of constantly vaccumming pine needles and getting down on all 4's to water daily. I now put it up early and leave it up through New Yrs now, with no worry of decay. I agree, I miss the smell, but thats about it.
Michael Iannacci
8:55 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
I love getting a real tree. To me, the whole event of the entire family getting together to go on a mission to find that perfect tree makes great memories and signifies that the Christmas Season has started. I don't mind the mess or inconvenience. To me, the smell and uniqueness of our tree more than make up for it.
CM9
9:46 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Faux tree all the way. We have one with built in lights. You wouldn't even know it's fake until you touch it. Don't have to worry about watering or it drying out or picking up needles that fall off. Ever step on a dry fir needle that you missed? Ouch! We light a yankee candle tree scented candle and it's like we have the real thing.
Bob
10:38 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
We go "Christmas tree hunting" the first weekend of December and love every minute! The farm we go to has so many great trees it is a tough decision but every year we find the one that speaks to us all! It lasts through the season and is usually still green and fresh around January 10th when we put it in the backyard for the birds to find refuge.
satisfied customer
11:41 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
I use to be a big fan of hunting down and cutting of a tree every year too until we found out that our daughter had a "mold" allergy. Yup they are full of it!!!! Think about it, they live outside for years and then we chop them down and put them in the house, of course they are full of n=mold. They sell beautiful artificial trees now and a few yankee balsm sticks and no one is the wiser.
Bob
12:20 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
I get it! I am allergic and sneeze and take allergy meds day and night! I will never give up my real tree! I suffer in silence (except the sneezing part).