Real or Fake?
You’d think with that kind of subject header that I was referring to diamonds, nails, designer purses, or even boobs, but I’m not. 
I’m talking about Christmas trees – is yours real or fake? 
mastree:
When I first got married, my husband and I always bought a real Christmas tree, flocked in pretty white stuff. I loved it. But when it started costing us upwards of $100 for a Christmas tree, I decided to go to an artificial tree – and I’ve never gone back to real. Honestly, I love the quick ease of having a fake tree. You put it together in three easy steps, and whaa-laa! It’s ready to decorate. I think this year is about it for our current artificial tree – the bottom branches are broken and drooping due to our cats climbing in there and thinking it’s their own personal jungle. 
But I’m so ready for a new (fake) tree. And this time, I want one with all the lights ATTACHED to it, so that will eliminate one less hassle of having to string lights on the tree. :santahat:
As far as decorating the tree – ours is a mismatch of ornaments collected over the years. Ornaments from friends, family, and some favorites I’ve picked up since Don and I got married. And then there are a ton of ornaments that belong to the girls – since every year I get them a new one to hang on the tree. When all is said and done, our tree is loaded up with fun and cute ornaments that have lots of meaning to them. I love that! I also love going through the ornaments every year with the girls and remembering when I bought it for them, what it represented, etc. They do, too. And someday when they have a family of their own, I’ll make sure they get all those ornaments that I’ve bought for them throughout the year to use on their own tree (if they want, of course!). :snowmanhead:
So, if you celebrate Christmas and put up a tree, do you like having a real or fake one? And what does your Christmas tree look like once it’s decorated? Is it fancy-schmancy and all coordinated? Or is it a mismatch of ornaments like mine?
And now for your viewing pleasure, check this out: Plotmonkey Elves! The Plotmonkeys wish you very happy holidays! :elf:
Growing up we always had real trees, and I loved that pine smell. Now it’s all fake - low maintenance, less hassle, and the choices are endless. It’s worth the investment.
My tree is small, but it’s a hodge podge of ornaments - no special theme. But those are usually the best kind, with lots of memories attached
mastree:
Comment by Stacy ~ — December 20, 2007 @ 7:05 am
Goodmorning guys…
Real or fake? is a great title Janelle…definitely made me wonder what today’s discussion will be about…
I celebrate Christmas, but I never get a tree…is that bad? My mom just started putting one up about 15 years or so ago…she usually gets the artificial kind to use over and over again…after all we could never afford a real one…You see, growing up in Jamaica we never really had a tree…my grandmother did, but we didn’t and it was real…I loved going to her house and just looking at it…granted I was easy to please between the ages of 0-6…lol….I remember just looking at it in wonder when it was all lit up with all the presents underneath it…this was in the 70s…
If I was to have a Christmas tree, I would want a real one…I have never had one…I think the real tree makes it more Christmasy…do you know what I mean? It has a great smell, which I have been told and I read about them in wonderful little romance novels…just going off and choosing which tree you want with members of your family, etc…I guess that’s what I really want…to have quality family time…going to get a real tree would represent that…
Well, my family is not like that after all…
As for ornaments, my younger brother (he’s 26 now) is the one who usually sets up my mom’s Christmas tree…he buys all the ornaments, with her money of course and he does a really good job of it….there are no little family momentos or anything like that added…If my sister wasn’t so young, I think my mom would forego the tree…I know last year she didn’t put one up…we will see what this year brings when I get to NYC this weekend or next week…
I will talk to you guys later…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — December 20, 2007 @ 7:05 am
Mine’s fake. I like to put it up Thanksgiving weekend so it is up for a looongg time. And the cats just had more fun with a real one…
I have tons of ornaments too. I usually end up with 2 or 3 trees up. this year tho with the kitten, I only put led lights on the tree and nothing else. So far he hasn’t broken anything.
As for the pre-lit trees. I had one. It was great the first year. The 2nd only half the lights worked and the 3rd year I had to put lights on it myself. I got rid of it. Besides, with the LED’s I save more money on electricity that with the bulbs they put on them.
I can only do a fresh cut tree. The chemicals they put on the pre cut ones makes me sick. ick
mastree: :wreath: 
mastree:
Comment by ev — December 20, 2007 @ 8:12 am
Oh this topic of
mastree: kills me. Obviously I don’t celebrate but how funny would it be for ME to worry about getting a REAL tree and dealing with the mess and the dropping pine needles? :wreath: But when it comes to purses and diamonds, Ladies, its REAL all the way! :elf: I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!
Comment by Carly — December 20, 2007 @ 8:20 am
I have an artificial
mastree:. I have allergies, so I try not to be around real trees for long periods of time. I really love the real trees and hope one year my shots will allow me to have a real tree. I cheat with the lights on my tree. I can actually carry the tree down to my storage unit without taking it apart, so I never take the lights off the tree. This is good until a strand goes out…then I have to put all new lights on the tree.
This year my tree looks kind of sad. I saved decorating for my 3 nieces and then they only put like 10 ornaments on the tree(not a huge tree, but needs lots mor ornaments). Plus the 3 year old only put them on the bottom 2 branches. I haven’t had time to finish the tree, and I leave in the morning for my Dad’s, so my tree will just be really sad this year.
Comment by Liza — December 20, 2007 @ 9:40 am
I’m allergic to cedar/pine, so it’s an artificial tree for me. And it’s only decorated from the knees up - I have cats. Multiple. It’s a hodgepodge of different themes, kittens, Thomas Kinkaid, It’s a Wonderful Life, Irish, a couple of handmade. Every one of them mean something to me. Which is why it’s only decorated from the knees up. LOL
Comment by Bailey Stewart — December 20, 2007 @ 9:42 am
The Plotmonkey elves are hysterical!!!
Comment by Bailey Stewart — December 20, 2007 @ 10:10 am
I have an artificial tree and won’t have it any other way. I love my tree. I don’t have to water it and there is no mess. The smell can come from a candle and the image is perfected.
Comment by Patty L. — December 20, 2007 @ 10:16 am
Every year (my folks started this tradition and I continued it with my boys), they get an ornament that has to do with something that they did/liked that year. Yes, they get more than one (because otherwise, they would have only a few ornaments and they love to put them on the tree). When they are married, they’ll get them. Hubby asked what I will do if they don’t want them when they are married and I said I’d give them to their wives or keep them until they want them.
It’s interesting, the ones from my childhood that are the most important are probably the most dumb.
mastree: 
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Comment by katie — December 20, 2007 @ 10:18 am
I forgot…Carly…yes, real purses are the way to go…I love my Kate Spade purse!
Comment by katie — December 20, 2007 @ 10:19 am
We’re back to a real tree. We all have allergies, and so several years ago we gave up and got a fake tree. But it smelled funny, like I didn’t wrap it up good enough and it got dusty in the attic and that was even worse for our allergies. So, when we moved last year we sold it at a yard sale and are back to a real tree. We all love it and have decided we’d rather deal with the allergies and have a real tree than a fake one.
We’ll see how it goes with my parents sleeping on the futon in the living room right next to it. My mom is seriously allergic to pine and I didn’t even think about that until just a few days ago but it’s too late now! But I do imagine that tree will be coming down on the 26th since she’s here until the 29th!
Comment by Jodie — December 20, 2007 @ 10:31 am
I’m faking it because the munchkin has allergies. My esteemed ginger cookies are also a fake and I’m in trouble because there isn’t a single roll of Pillsbury gingerbread cookie dough in the city. I’m hitting the grocery stores in the next town this afternoon hoping to find some. Cross your fingers for me.
Comment by Darlene R — December 20, 2007 @ 10:41 am
LOL, everyone in my family, including the dog has been elfed :elf: I love that website! I’ll bet you ddin’t know you could move like that
I haven’t had a real tree
mastree: since I was a little girl, and since I’m married we’ve always had a fake one. I love being able to put it up the day after Thanksgiving and leave it up as long as I can…I HATE taking it down, the house always looks so depressing once its gone. My tree is alot like yours Janelle, mish-mosh of memories we’ve collected over the years, I have a few ornaments that are older than me that my grandma, passed on to me when I got married. And many that we’ve bought for our children…I love our tree 
mastree:
Comment by Tina Martinesi — December 20, 2007 @ 10:44 am
I love real trees for the smell. But the branches are not sturdy enough for all the ornaments. I’ve had artificial for a few years now. I don’t think it’s easy to put up. Mine has the individual branches to insert and then spreading them out. It takes forever but the ornaments can all go on.
We usually do the mismatched ornaments and I love that. This year hubby wanted something different so we decided on white lights and all red and gold balls. It looks nice but I miss my ornaments. I can look at each one and know when I got it or who gave it to me and what it means. I know I’ll go back to that again.
Comment by Michelle — December 20, 2007 @ 11:12 am
We have a an artificial
mastree:. Real trees flare my asthma so artificial for me. This year my tree looks really pityful (sp?). Hubby put it up while I was OOT helping my mother recover from surgery. I appreciate that he did it and made an effort but a tree decorator he is not. Our tree is always a mismatch of ornaments. I think those are the best.
We are also considering getting a new tree, a pre-lit one. I hope I can find one after Christmas.
I probably won’t be back online until after the holiday so I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope you all have safe travels and Santa brings you what you want. :santawhat: :stocking:
Comment by Kelly H — December 20, 2007 @ 11:45 am
Good Morning, everyone! :snowmanhead: I’m just checking in before I go MIA today, kinda like Julie did yesterday. I’m pretty much done with my Xmas shopping. Today is GIRL’S day out! Shopping (for fun!), lunch, movie, etc!
I’ll be checking back later!!!! :wreath:
Comment by Janelle Denison — December 20, 2007 @ 11:52 am
I too love real purses…Katie, my mom used to work for Kate Spade and she would employee discounts…I can’t tell you how many I have…they are nice….
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — December 20, 2007 @ 11:56 am
A few years ago we bought a fake
mastree: with the lights attached and it’s great! So easy to put up and down. Our ornaments are eclectic. Some are really old from when my FIL was a kid, to ones my hubby and I had as kids. Now there’s some newer ones too. For each of my boys I bought a small fake tree years ago and put it in their rooms. Every year I buy them an ornament that represents their interests or hobby’s that year and put it on thier own tree. There’s lights too and every night when they go to sleep we turn it on so they can fall asleep with the glow of the tree in thier room. 
mastree: It’s a tradition even my almost 15-year-old still enjoys.
Loved the Plot Monkey elves! :elf: Happy Holidays!
Comment by Robin — December 20, 2007 @ 11:57 am
We do not have a tree yet this year. I do not want to put up one, but my friends are insisting because of the kids. So we will see what the next couple of days bring.
When I was a kid and the first couple of years married we had a real tree. But now it has been fake. Although, maybe I will get a minitature real one for the kids…….I don’t know it is so late……
Comment by debb — December 20, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
Since we moved into this home 8 years ago, I’ve done 2 trees, 1 real, 1 artificial. I love to go downstairs in the morning to the smell of the pine tree in my family room. Our artificial tree goes up first and is up the longest, I get my real tree about the 2nd weekend of Dec. so it will last through New Year. Last year however, we went to Florida to be with my MIL for Christmas, so no real tree last year. This year, hubby and I are flying to Miami for our cruise next Friday, so once again, no real tree. I put up the artificial and everything else, I’m just hoping it’s all still standing when we get back, seeing as our 20 year old son will be home alone. I’m
that there will be no parties, and nothing broken when we get back.
I believe everyone has been elved this year. My husband did that with us the other night and sent it out to his friends. I’ve seen it from 3 different people. It is a riot to watch though.
Take Care all and Have a good day!!!!!!!!!!!! :elf:
Comment by Kathy — December 20, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
Good morning all,
We always had real trees growing up but I lived back east then. When I moved to Colorado twenty years ago and then got married, we had a real one for a couple of years but they dried out so badly we decided to go with an artificial tree. We got a new one this year and it is gorgeous–pre-lit. I started collecting Christmas ornaments back in the late sixties and probably have upwards of at least 500 or more so our tree is a mixture of all different kinds.
Take care everyone and have a great day,
Cher
mastree:
Comment by Cher — December 20, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
Paula R….can I be your bestest friend? I am so jealous. I had to beg for hubby to buy it (and then, it was the day after the Nordy sale, so he had to pay FULL price and it was an anniversary/birthday gift). He still doesn’t get it. My only problem with it is that it is so messy (it’s a little ‘tote”
, but that’s my fault, not hers….what’s funny is that I used to be a Coach girl (real, not fake)…I had to upgrade a little 
Comment by katie — December 20, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
We have a fake tree. The real trees would kill the hubby’s allergies. But I do so love the smell of real trees. Hate the needles everywhere.
Our ornaments are a mish mash of this and that, and I love it that way.
Comment by Jaci Burton — December 20, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
After both my husband and I were traumatized as a children with an silver aluminum tree with Orange colored balls and a multi color wheel, we vowed when we got married we would always have a real tree.
Our tree is decorated in a variety of ornaments in every shape, size and color. We have some ornaments that were made during World War II that use paper and string, since tin was used in the production of war materials. My youngest daughter has a seagull that she places in the tree to remind her of her visit to Bodega Bay where the move “The Birds” was filmed. The tree is completed with lots of colored lights and an old fashioned angel watches over our Ohana.
mastree:
Comment by Ardie — December 20, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
Dear Janelle,
It’s a kind of tradition that really belongs to Christmas in my family. I know, of course, that a fake one would be much easier: You just have to buy it once and therefore it’s much cheaper, it doesn’t lose its needles… Nontheless, I stick to the real one. But I think the only reason is that it is tradition and I can’t imagine to change it.
Love this topic as much as I love our tree. It has always been and will always be real one. Amen.
As for our ornaments: I’s an old collection my father inherited from his father. So it has a long history. And if there is anything cordinated in our house at Christmas, it definitely is our Christmas tree. Back then, my father was always very picky and just the nicest ornaments would be put on it.
I have good news, too. I’m finally done with Christmas shopping. Thanks!
I’m crossing my fingers for all those who still have to buy things. Good luck.
See you
Vero
Comment by Vero — December 20, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
I have a fake one, I would kill a real one! My husband won’t let me have plants anymore since I kill those too. We have a mis-matched tree and I love it like that. I have ornaments that my mom and grandma crossed stitched and other hand made ornaments. Right now the bottom half of my tree is no longer decorated because of my 18 month old son. Ever day he comes walking down the hall with an ornament in his hand. I didn’t even have the tree up for 3 hours and he broke 3 bulbs. My lights are pulled and the branches on the bottom all bent and flat from him backing up to it and laughing at the branches tickling him. Next year I’ll shoot for a full decorated tree!
mastree:
Comment by Jeannine — December 20, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
Cher, my daughter lived in Colorado for a little over 8 years. Here where she grew up there are lots of tree farms & Christmas trees are easy to come by. When she & her husband bought their first tree in Colorado they were shocked at the price!! The next year was even worse!! :snowmanhead:
My tree is a real eclectic mix when I have one. Since I live in a small duplex I only have a tree that might sit on a table top & they don’t hold to many ornaments, but I love having the tree.
Gotta go, I have an appointment to get a hair cut! Don’t want to be late even though I usually have to wait on her!!!!!! :santahat:
Comment by Donna M — December 20, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
Gotta love cats
Comment by KelSue — December 20, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
We have a fake one, but I would rather have a real one. Fake ones are more economical and no mess y disposal needed. Wish my fake tree smelled like pine.
Comment by Jane — December 20, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
Oh, Ardie! The silver tree with the color wheel???!!!??? JOIN THE CLUB!
Real for us, too. We tromped around a tree farm to cut our own last Saturday for 2 hours, couldn’t find a single one we liked. Ended up at a local nursery lot and found one right away–just beautiful. I love the smell. And we have a mishmash of ornaments from year after year, but also lots of red ornaments, bows, ribbons and beads to tie it all together.
Comment by Leslie — December 20, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
>>Gotta love cats
lol KelSue! Gotta love your Dad, too!
Comment by Leslie — December 20, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Our tree is decorated with a plethera of differant ornaments from the one that hung on my bed in the nursery of the hospital to the snowman made of popsicle sticks that my youngest just made this week at school. From homemade (my favorite kind) to Hallmark ones.
Comment by Laura J — December 20, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
Used to have a live tree every year, but now we have a pre-lit, long-needled 6 1/2 ft. fake one. It looks very real to me and I don’t have to fool around with putting the lights on so I love it. I enjoy doing the decorations though and some are very fancy while others are very sentimental for me. I like to have loads of ornaments on the tree and also ribbons and bows.
Comment by Shari C — December 20, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
I have a fake tree with the lights already on it and I love it. No mess and no fuss. We usually start out with a theme or a color scheme but by the time we put on all the “must use” ornaments, it looks it was decorated by a group of preschoolers. I wouldn’t change a thing.
mastree:
Comment by Carol R — December 20, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
We’ve always had a fake tree and I love it. I too would like a newer version with all the lights already attached. That would make it a whole lot easier.
Our ornaments are like yours, Janelle, a collections of ones bought over the years that have many sweet memories attached. We have so many “OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS” and “BABY’S FIRST CHRISTMAS” ornaments to have a separate tree. I will pass on my son’s to him when he has his own tree someday. I have all of mine since I was born that my Mom gave to me when I got married. They are all very special.
mastree:
Comment by Carolyn A. — December 20, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
Our
mastree: is fake! It is one that has the lights already in it so we don’t do the whole stringing up the lights thing anymore. I got it at Wal-Mart last year the week after Christmas for around $5, I think. We’ll keep it around until it starts looking icky, then buy a new one. Much cheaper than a real $30-40 tree that dies and sheds needles everywhere.
Our tree ornaments are all mismatched and include everything from Star Wars characters to penguins, which are my favorite animal. And there is no rhyme or reason to how they are put up because my 6 and 4 year-old kiddies did most of the decorating. The dog has also managed to knock some off the bottom, but we’re working on him :santawhat: Happy holidays!
Comment by Nellymom — December 20, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
Whoops! I lost a comment in Cyperspace! I accidentally clicked something or hit a wrong button!! Love technology!
:elf: Since I had to leave for an appointment I didn’t get to say how much I loved the
:santahat: Janelle, I hope you had fun on the “girls day out”.
Comment by Donna M — December 20, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
Not only do my wife and I use a fake tree (for the last ten years), but after Christmas we put a giant plastic bag over it with the lights and ornaments still on. We put it in a corner of the garage and just whip it out the following Christmas (the tree that is). A couple of shakes (in case any bugs took up residence) and we’re all set for another year.
I guess it’s getting so bad that eventually we’ll all just put a giant photograph of a Christmas tree on the wall.
Tom
Comment by Tom Allen — December 20, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
We have a fake tree for the first time. It has multicolored lights and a silver garland on it.
Comment by Estella — December 20, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
We’ve been getting a real tree for 38 years. And I’ve been collecting ornaments for that long too - from vacations, friends, family and that includes all the home-made ones too.
mastree:
Comment by catslady — December 21, 2007 @ 12:28 am
No
mastree: for me. I just moved in and i know im slow and getting a tree. My friend calls me scrooge. lol. Haven’t had the time to get one. If i did it would be fake with the lights on it. I have a cat and I know she will be climbing in it. She will probably jump 
to get to the branches.
Happy holidays everyone… :wreath:
Comment by Elisa Varey — December 21, 2007 @ 12:34 am
Fake. We grew up with fake trees (including a 7 foot one that my brother knocked over one year, permanently tangling at least three strands of lights), and although my wonderful husband surprised me with a real tree our first Christmas together, since then we’ve acquired a reasonable fascimile and happily put it up in December and then store it in the garage the rest of the year
BTW, you four are such talented dancers!!
Comment by Fedora — December 21, 2007 @ 12:35 am
Our tree is fake, but on its last legs. Next year we will need a new tree and hopefully it will be prelit. Our tree is like yours loaded with all kinds of ornaments, some handed down, some collected thru 32 years of marraige and ornaments that my two boys have made.
I loved your video.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Sharron
Comment by Sharron Paterson — December 21, 2007 @ 2:08 am
Fake and not coordinated - no theme. I put my fav ornaments that I have collected over the years with some representing special things in our lives. :wreath: :wreath: :wreath: :wreath: :wreath: :wreath: :wreath: :wreath:
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Comment by Pat L. — December 21, 2007 @ 8:35 am
Donna
Comment by donna — December 21, 2007 @ 11:02 am