Trying to decide whether to buy a real Christmas tree this year...

[Arcadio]

I've always used the artificial trees. Does anyone know the disadvantages of buying a real pine tree? Or should I stick with the plastic ones?

 

[AstroManLuca]

Advantages to an actual tree:

- Smells nice
- Usually looks less tacky

Disadvantages:

- Leaves needles everywhere
- Leaves sap everywhere
- Have to get a new one every year
- Unless you live in the woods, can be a pain to dispose of it

Growing up my family always got real trees, but it helped that we live in the woods and could just toss the thing off the deck in January. Now that I live in the city I stick to a fake tree.

 

[highland145]

Too damn early. Repost on 11/25.

 

[Demo24]

I can't say I'd want to go with pine for a christmas tree, but whatever floats your boat.

Lately we just stopped bothering with big trees and get smaller potted ones, and stick it on a ledge somewhere. Then once the season is done just go outside and plant it somewhere.

 

[ConwayJim]

do it and then don't worry about it.

 

[ponyo]

The only real disadvantage is the cost of having to buy a tree each year. But that's part of the fun. The tree is different every year.

 

[Macamus Prime]

I got this little sucker last year.
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Tree...ref=pd_sim_b_1

It seems discontinued, so this one is available.
http://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Chri...1294027&sr=8-1

It's so tiny!!

O.O

 

[BoomerD]

Disadvantages?

Needles all over the carpet
Sap can get on anything it touches
Insects get brought into the house
If you have dogs, they MIGHT "hike their legs" and piss on it.
Potential fire hazard if it dries out before you're ready to take it down.

Advantages?

Wonderful fresh pine scent


We switched to an artificial tree when we bought our house to avoid the needles in the carpet issue.
She bought an expensive artificial with a 25 year warranty...and the fucking thing drops needles just like a real tree. :| (of course, that's not covered by the warranty)

That particular tree isn't going back up this year. We're looking for a smaller "slim" tree that doesn't take as much room. Since it's just the two of us nowadays, we don't need a big tree.

 

[DnetMHZ]

Real or nothing.

 

[AstroManLuca]

We switched to an artificial tree when we bought our house to avoid the needles in the carpet issue.
She bought an expensive artificial with a 25 year warranty...and the fucking thing drops needles just like a real tree. :| (of course, that's not covered by the warranty)

That's a good point. You always end up having to clean up after an artificial tree as well. They might not drop as many needles but you still have a few needles as well as glitter dust and stuff.

Oh another advantage to fake trees is you only have to string up your lights once. Then you can just leave them on the tree from year to year.

 

[Homerboy]

Too damn early. Repost on 11/25.

this is the best response you could possibly hope for.

That being said, the day I can no longer get a REAL tree is the day I will no longer put up a Christmas tree.

I hate fake trees.

 

[fatpat268]

That's a good point. You always end up having to clean up after an artificial tree as well. They might not drop as many needles but you still have a few needles as well as glitter dust and stuff.

Oh another advantage to fake trees is you only have to string up your lights once. Then you can just leave them on the tree from year to year.

Or you can just buy a prelit tree.

I've always had an artificial tree. Don't really see the need to switch to a real one.

 

[BoomerD]

Or you can just buy a prelit tree.

I've always had an artificial tree. Don't really see the need to switch to a real one.

Definitely get a pre-lit tree if you buy an artificial. The minor savings isn't worth the PITA of putting the lights on every year...or of trying to put them on properly to leave them on.

 

[SandEagle]

how about no tree? donate the money to those in need instead. isn't this the true meaning of Xmas, Charlie Brown?

 

[BoomerD]

how about no tree? donate the money to those in need instead. isn't this the true meaning of Xmas, Charlie Brown?

Iz you on drugs?

The Christmas season is all about "ME, ME, ME!" It's about what I get...not about doing good for the poor.

Where the fuck did you get such screwy ideas?

 

[FoBoT]

get a used fake tree off craigslist

 

[Red Squirrel]

Get a fake tree, get some Christmas air freshner, spray it. You get the advantages of a fake tree and the advantages of a real one.

And donate the money you would have used to buy a fake one to charity, because you must already have a fake one stashed in the basement right? Everyone wins!

I can't wait to put mine up. Probably next week some time.

 

[MrChad]

Real or nothing.

:thumbsup:

 

[snuggliestbear]

Disadvantages:

- Leaves needles everywhere
- Leaves sap everywhere
- Have to get a new one every year
- Unless you live in the woods, can be a pain to dispose of it

I would have to disagree with 2 of your disadvantages here - the only problem I have had with sap is when I am putting it up and I have to handle the trunk a lot. Also, a lot of places have a designated date for Christmas tree pickup/removal - all you have to do is have it at the curb.

For the advantages, I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said and I would add that you don't have to find a place to store it for 10.5 months every year and you don't have to lug it up from the basement either - all while dropping ornaments and breaking lights.

 

[slayer202]

definitely real. can't beat the smell

 

[DrPizza]

Part of the holiday celebration is getting together with the family and decorating it. If you treat it like a chore, (oh woe is me, I have to string the lights on the tree), then why bother with a tree, artificial or real, in the first place?

Around here: real tree = $0 to $20. Hell, I think they're under $20 at wallyworld. Artificial tree that doesn't look like a tacky piece of plastic crap = $100. Usually, after 5 years, those prelit trees start getting to be a hassle with lights burning out. Real tree - once the bulbs start burning out left and right, you just throw out the whole string and get a new string right after Christmas for $2 on sale.

Needles in the carpeting? Depending on the type of carpet, it can be a pita. Depending on how long you have the tree in the house, the humidity in the house, how good you are about keeping the water filled in the tree stand so it doesn't dry out, etc., you can sometimes go a few weeks without any serious dropping of needles. Of course, you can buy the tree at wallyworld, hope that it wasn't cut down in Guatemala 2 months prior, and discover that by New Years, there isn't a needle left on the tree. Personally, and particularly with younger kids, I would never go a Christmas without going out and cutting down our own tree.

And, why the hell are people having trouble with sap? Seriously?? I've never heard of that problem before, except perhaps sap on the hands of the person trimming the bottom of the trunk just before sticking it in the tree stand.

 

[BoomerD]

Part of the holiday celebration is getting together with the family and decorating it. If you treat it like a chore, (oh woe is me, I have to string the lights on the tree), then why bother with a tree, artificial or real, in the first place?

Around here: real tree = $0 to $20. Hell, I think they're under $20 at wallyworld. Artificial tree that doesn't look like a tacky piece of plastic crap = $100. Usually, after 5 years, those prelit trees start getting to be a hassle with lights burning out. Real tree - once the bulbs start burning out left and right, you just throw out the whole string and get a new string right after Christmas for $2 on sale.

Needles in the carpeting? Depending on the type of carpet, it can be a pita. Depending on how long you have the tree in the house, the humidity in the house, how good you are about keeping the water filled in the tree stand so it doesn't dry out, etc., you can sometimes go a few weeks without any serious dropping of needles. Of course, you can buy the tree at wallyworld, hope that it wasn't cut down in Guatemala 2 months prior, and discover that by New Years, there isn't a needle left on the tree. Personally, and particularly with younger kids, I would never go a Christmas without going out and cutting down our own tree.

Until we moved to California almost 25 years ago, the annual Christmas tree trip was a great family outing. We scouted places to cut weeks in advance, (and obtained permits where required) then everyone loaded up, and off we went. Great fun for the kids...and for the adults as well.

Where we're at nowadays, it'd be at least a 200 mile drive to cut a tree...IF we could get the necessary Forest Service permits...and they're hard to come by here. (of course, we could always "find" a nice one in a city park... )

If you go buy a "fresh" tree, they're usually not cheap. $20 will get you a 6' plantation-grown tree that has been "sheared" to the "right shape." If you want a more "natural" looking tree...be prepared to shell out closer to $50 for one in the 7 foot tall range...or up to $100 (or more) for a 9-10 foot tree.

 

[Sluggo]

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...1&ddkey=Search

 

[IronWing]

What happens if you buy a Christmas tree but when you get it home, you find that it is really a holiday tree? Should you take it back?

 

[Bateluer]

We always had real trees growing up, but they transitioned to a fake tree years ago because its easier.

I don't bother to set up a tree or go through the effort since its just me.