The virtue of artificial Christmas trees

[Perpetual_Christmas]

After my "adventure" buying and setting up my Christmas tree today (haven't decorated it yet, that comes tomorrow), I've decided starting next year I'm going with an artificial Christmas tree. :neutral:

As much as I like the look, feel and smell of real trees, the ... um, difficulty ... of getting the darn thing something resembling straight, and getting tree sap all over the place, not to mention needles everywhere, doesn't really seem to be worth it to me. :(

Just when you think you've got the tree pretty straight, and then you start screwing in the screw things on the stand, then you step back after you're done screwing them in, only to discover that the act of screwing in the screws made your nice, straight tree crooked, is enough to make you want to mad:

[Goofy]

yup ,,, the same thing drove me to artifical two years ago!!!!

I feel for ya, and welcome to the world of plastic~!!!

[theedwin]

2 years ago, I was looking for the "Perfect" Christmas tree. Well, at the time I wasn't really looking for it, it found me.

A 12 footer from a thrift store that I love to visit. $10. I asked one of the associates if I could open the box and look at it. (it was a really big box) He said I could, and I was going to buy it, but he told me that he would mark it down to $5. I said "SOLD" and here it is tonight with 1700 lights on it!

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq158/theedwin/039.jpg

All LED's by the way. I am so happy with my tree! I wish my ceiling was just a bit taller so that I could put the top of the tree on it... But when you put an Angel up there, no one will notice. (oh, and I have to put ornaments on it yet..) :D And some presents would be nice!

Never had a real tree, never ever will!

[putrid]

I feel for ya Perpetual_Christmas. I gave up on real trees a long time ago. When you do make the switch buy a good one. Secondly never use a plastic stand. They make good sturdy metal stands for artificial trees. They have a hole in the bottom for the metal pole. Worth what you'll pay for em.

[Perpetual_Christmas]

I think I'll buy one just after Christmas when everything goes on clearance sale. I was looking at some today and good ones are quite expensive!

[bethene]

well, we still use real trees, and have one of the stands that no matter what the tree can be made straight, it has a lever and then you can position the tree how you want, then click the lever back in place, just point the center to the ceiling, and voila,,, it is a wonder! also we have the tree baled which keeps the branches out of the way until you get it set up,,, the tree stands are fairly expensive, but they are worth every penny,,, the reason I don't have a artificial tree is cuz I can tell even from out side a house if they are fake,,, and while some people have lighting and prop priorities. ,mine is the tree,,,, if I could find one that looks real,,, then maybe, we are not getting any younger,,,, but it would have to be something I could live with ,,,,, and yeah,,, they are very expensive!

[chris]

Edwin your tree looks great tons of lights!

I would like to go and cut one down just not enough time to. If it was crooked it would be fine with me just as long as it didn't tip over lol.

[lisa48317]

I have a really small living room, so an artificial tree is best for us. We leave off the branches in the back on the lowest layers so it can be pushed closer to the wall. We're pretty happy with how it looks. I do miss the smell of a real tree, though!

[Rybcon]

Our main tree has always been real and probably will continue that way since the only artificial tree we've liked is expensive.

[Nevergoback]

We like to mix it up, this year we are using a 'porch' tree due to travel plans before Christmas. It's actually one of the bigger ones and looks quite nice. I purchased 'scent sticks' at Michaels and they are pretty good at giving off a cedar smell when you are within about two feet of the tree. I only used one, I think I will just put all of them on it.

But every couple of years, we go for a real tree, mess and all. Edwin, your tree is gorgeous.

[lisa48317]

I purchased 'scent sticks' at Michaels and they are pretty good at giving off a cedar smell when you are within about two feet of the tree. I only used one, I think I will just put all of them on it.

Whew - I got some of those....I put one on the tree & it gave me such a headache that I had to take it off! I thought it was a really good idea at the time. Maybe when I put the tree away, I'll toss one in the box and see if the scent lasts til next year!

[Hilda]

Ahhhhhhhhh I think this is a debate that will never have a winner. There are so many pros... and cons... on each side of the aisle. No matter real or fake... it's how you feel about it that matters! LOL There is definitely no right or wrong on this one.

Technically, don't artificial trees have a long and well respected past? Aren't those beautiful feather trees considered artifical and the bottle brush trees? (Is that what they are called?) They deserve a place of glory in Christmas history right along the noble Fir and Spruce! LOL

I am sorting through my first artificial trees that my three year old and I are putting together to add to my outdoor display. It's helping him with his color skills. He is handing mommy the 'yellow' branches... the 'red' branches. LOL He grabbed two branches and stuck his arms out and said "Look at me! I'm a Snowman!" LOL Can't put a pricetag on that!

So as long as I am able, we will trudge into the woods and drag out a tree and stand it all crooked and beautiful with it's snowfall of needles that inevitably wind up stuck in the bottom of your foot. I'll know when the time is right, like many of you already have, to make the leap to an artifical tree.

Enjoy your trees everyone!!

[putrid]

/\ agree! Great post Hilda.

Another feature of an artificial tree is you can move the branches around. Bend them if needed to fill or make a hole.

[Hilda]

Thanks Putrid!!!

... I am wondering why I typed artifical each time instead of artificial!!!!! LOLOLOLOL Sorry!!!! I think there is juicy-juice residue on my keyboard.

[Perpetual_Christmas]

I bought my new (fake) tree for next year today.

At Macy's Holiday Lane, they had a slightly-frosted 7-1/2 foot tree, originally $500, marked down to $200, the lady behind the counter gave it to me for $125!! :)

I had to take the display copy, they didn't have any boxes for it, so I had to take it apart into its 3 parts and lug each part individually all the way out of the mall into my car in the parking garage. I think that's why the lady gave me the extra discount. :D

[theedwin]

Ah, the things we do for Christmas Perpetual!

Agreed Hilda, great post! (I'm a snowman, how cute!) :D

[halorene]

i use to be real tree all the way. everyone said that was the only way to go. i remember as a small child how much fun we always had going to the tree farm, picking out our tree, getting it home, to big, and dad cutting it down. it was so much fun. but...when my daughter was about 5 we were gone for a few days after we got our tree, so noone kept the tree watered and all the needles fell, and a dry tree is considered a fire hazzard, and not as pretty without the needles. but the real killer was cleaning up all the needles. and they prick, so i went out and after Christmas purchased my first fake tree. i enjoyed that artificial tree every year for 30 years. i got a new artificial one last year, although i think every kid should still have at least one time they get to pick a real tree.

[bethene]

well, the real tree is still up, I am sure that there will be plenty of needles,, don't feel well enough to take it down,,,, but still am not giving up,, needles schmeedles,,,, it is the look of the tree that matters to me,,, I have been looking, they are all too skinny and "fakey" looking for me,,, I guess I am a tree snob,, but I don't do the big out door stuff most every one on here does,,, the tree is it,my favorite decoration for christmas,, got hubby looking at fake trees... he is the one that was thinking of going to them,,, he says. "they are so skinny" so he now realizes what I have been trying to tell him,,,and how expensive a nice one was,,, and they mostly come with lights which I don't want either,,,,,,
don't get me wrong,, not dis-ing anyone who has one,, it is just not for me at this point,,,, I guess I will really be old when I have to go to one of them............

[Perpetual_Christmas]

Here's the wondrous mess my tree made. It took me at least 4 hours of vacuming and other cleaning to get all this up (including stray needles that made their way to my upstairs).

Here's the tree stand, complete with dejected-looking cat disappointed her favorite hiding spot had just disappeared.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/680/mess1ld.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/140/mess1ld.jpg/)

One issue I have is, unlike some people who have a living room next to, say, a patio door, I've got this thing that's like a townhouse, with the garage and front door on the bottom floor, and the main floor on the 2nd floor, so the tree has to get dragged up and down a flight of stairs to get to its intended destination in my kitchen. So, going to the stairs I get this:

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4949/mess2.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/mess2.jpg/)

And here's the stairs themselves. Ugh, these are a bitch to clean!

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/741/mess3.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/100/mess3.jpg/)
All pics uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Fun fun fun!

[putrid]

Bummer Perpetual_Christmas. Nasty looking mess. Two things that may help you, or anyone else with a real tree. First use larger than what's needed tree skirt. Something like an old bed sheet that you can wrap the tree up from the bottom when you get ready to take it out. Second would be to block the heat from a register or duct that close to the tree. As air rises it'll suck the moisture right out. Something as simple as using a decoration like a fake gift on the tree side of a duct. The air will hit the decoration and be redirected into the room. Not sure what the safest way would be for a register like the one you have. Never had em.

[bethene]

you do have a long way to haul it,, I don't have a patio door any where near, I pull it thru a couple of rooms,,,as Putrid said,, the register probably didn't help,, but I am lucky not to have to put a tree close to one,, I have had it over the years near one, but I am lucky mine have a shut off valve,,, I had a huge pile of needles yesterday too,,,, with carpet I take a broom first,, it is amazing how many get swept up with it,, then take a vacuum,,, one year hubby and my son thought they were being nice, and doing me a favor, and got it cleaned up when I was at work,, came home to a totally plugged up vacuum,,,I haven't in a few years, but have in the past, used one of the tree bags pulled up and over it, it did help keep the needles in it,,,,some what any way,,

[lisa48317]

One issue I have is, unlike some people who have a living room next to, say, a patio door, I've got this thing that's like a townhouse, with the garage and front door on the bottom floor, and the main floor on the 2nd floor, so the tree has to get dragged up and down a flight of stairs to get to its intended destination in my kitchen.

When my parents used a real tree, they always bought this special huge garbage bag that fit around the trunk of the tree & could be hidden by the tree skirt, so once they undecorated, the bag could be pulled up over the tree & tied to keep the mess to a minimum. I have no idea if those even exist anymore - but in your case - it would be awesome!

[halorene]

lisa, those tree bags still exist. they are pretty reasonably priced. i buy a few at Christmas time to cover halloween props with.

[Perpetual_Christmas]

@putrid,

I tried the tree skirt thing, but let's just say ... it and my cat weren't a good combination. :D

I did leave the heater next to the tree off the whole time, so that wasn't an issue.

[Perpetual_Christmas]

lisa, those tree bags still exist. they are pretty reasonably priced. i buy a few at Christmas time to cover halloween props with.
Hadn't heard of those things before.

Well anyway I already bought the fake tree, so that's what's getting used for the next several years regardless.

[putrid]

Looking forward to seeing your new tree all set up and glowing for Christmas.

And now that we've got you to use an artificial tree it's time to let you in on the REAL virtues!!!

The dust of Christmas past. That's right. Unless you put it out in gail force winds for a day or two it will gather more than it's share of dust. And like the warm memories of Christmas past it will have no trouble sharing year after year after...LOL

The giving of Christmas present. They shed. Yep, you will find that the older the tree gets the more it likes to leave it's 'leaves' behind. Perhaps better than sap and oils but still messy.

The reshaping of Christmas future. That beautiful perfect cone shape. That deep fullness. Like a 18 year old beauty queen. Sags the older it gets too. Eventually you may end up with a 'good side' of the tree.

With all that in mind there is one cool thing about em. The tree is made from dinosaurs. The water the dinosaurs drank is the same water we drink today! Not only do you get a cool tree but a science lesson for the kiddies!

[Perpetual_Christmas]

Well said. :)

[theedwin]

Putrid is right, you still get the "needles" from a fake tree.

And taking them out of the box is easy, putting it back into the box - not so easy.

[Perpetual_Christmas]

I don't even have a box for the tree I bought, so that's not an issue.

When I was transporting my new (fake) tree to and from my car, I did get a few needles and some other stuff falling off, but it wasn't remotely as bad as the real tree.

[stormygirl84]

We've always had an artificial tree. I remember, when I was little, going over to my aunt's house one Christmas and being perplexed that she had a REAL tree... INSIDE the house! I wondered how it stayed alive, and how she knew that she hadn't accidentally brought bugs and spiders and squirrels into the house with the tree... Needless to say, I wasn't impressed by it.

Years later, I'm still partial to artificial trees. I'm too lazy to deal with the hassle of a real one, and I'm still bothered by the idea of dragging extra bugs and spiders into the house. Yuck. If I want the lovely pine smell, I go to Yankee Candle and pick up one of their pine-scented candles. (Mistletoe is my favorite, but Balsam & Cedar is nice, also.)

[Ivan]

After my "adventure" buying and setting up my Christmas tree today (haven't decorated it yet, that comes tomorrow), I've decided starting next year I'm going with an artificial Christmas tree. :neutral:

As much as I like the look, feel and smell of real trees, the ... um, difficulty ... of getting the darn thing something resembling straight, and getting tree sap all over the place, not to mention needles everywhere, doesn't really seem to be worth it to me. :(

Just when you think you've got the tree pretty straight, and then you start screwing in the screw things on the stand, then you step back after you're done screwing them in, only to discover that the act of screwing in the screws made your nice, straight tree crooked, is enough to make you want to mad:

Well you're not the only one Perpet. It's April, and yea, we're on the brink of biting the bullet and going with a fake tree. I just finished cleaning out the garage of Christmas stuff and I was thinking I only have about 6 months and I have to pull it all out again! Not only that but my wife has this collection of artificial Christmas trees that aren't necessarily full-sized but the tabletop variety we got from there there link. I'm talking about the BIG type of 9 or 12' artificial Christmas tree. It isn't very easy to find a good one that doesn't cost a fortune. I'm looking for choices between www.treetime.com, Tree Classic, or Balsams Hills.

[Perpetual_Christmas]

^
Wait until after-Christmas sales! That's when I bought mine, I got it for 75% off! (see post #15).

Though I suppose that means you'll have to do one more Christmas with a real tree.

[Buggula]

I love the look and smell of a real tree, but they aren't really practical where we are;

a) in an apartment
b) the choice of real trees is really limited ie: think the Charlie Brown tree.
c) in an area where facilities to recycle your tree are limited (the British are hopelessly behind in the recycling game), and I don't think it's right to have a real tree if you can't have it re-purposed after the holidays.

We got super lucky about five years ago and found a beautiful 6.5 ft Val D'isere spruce tree at Woolworth's. Unfortunately ""Woolies" is no longer with us, but the tree is going great.

[RiskyEuphoria]

I'm really a fan of the artificial tree, for the reason that I live in a dorm-like apartment, and there's no room for a real tree, or for the mess. My roommates and I can get a smaller artificial tree and it saves us a lot of the mess. We also add christmas-tree airfreshners inside of it, to kind of add that at home, real tree smell and feel.