Real tree or artificial? [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

razorboy

12-13-2008, 09:40 AM

I usually put up a real fraser fir, but things have been so ridiculously hectic for me as of late, I'm just going to put up the artificial silver tree I have in my garage. I haven't had a chance to put up a tree yet and I won't for a couple of days, so it just seems like it would be a waste to put up a real tree at this point.

midwestjeff

12-13-2008, 09:43 AM

Fir is murder.

Gvac

12-13-2008, 09:45 AM

I put a wreath on my door. That's enough.

KingGeno

12-13-2008, 09:48 AM

I always buy real. This year I bought my first Concolor Fir. It was a little little pricier than the normal Douglas Fir I buy, but so well worth it. It's thicker than a douglas fir, has a sweeter smell to it, and has much more needles and stronger branges. Oddly enough, it isn't shedding that much. I've only had it for a few days now.

Here is a pic. I got a lot of early shopping done, so did a few more people........online only. :p

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w126/ragunax/xmastree2008.jpg

reillyluck

12-13-2008, 09:57 AM

artificial. my cat likes to climb the real ones. so i win, he loses.

Puggle_kicker

12-13-2008, 09:58 AM

Treeless, Im a young and single. Maybe if I had a chick I would get one.

Judge Smails

12-13-2008, 10:06 AM

Growing up my parents always had an artificial one and I swore that I would get a real one once on my own. When I got married we got a real one. That lasted exactly two years and we've had an artificial one ever since.

Its just soooooo much less of a hasle than going to get a real one, finding the perfect one (damn near impossible), carrying it home, setting up, watering, cleaning up needles constantly, disposal etc. etc. Fuck that shit!!!!

Death Metal Moe

12-13-2008, 10:12 AM

I grew up with the same artifical tree that will go up this year as well. Fucking tree is as old as Me I think. Pretty sure my parents got it the same year I was born.

I just like artificial because I grew up with it. It seems Christmasy to me. I can see how someone who grew up with a real tree would think a fake one was bullshit, but I like that I don't have pine needles all over the house and that I don't have a dry fire hazard to dispose of each year.

So artifical all the way.

Friday

12-13-2008, 10:13 AM

Real!

Fake trees make me sad.

This year I got a cute little 6 footer and the guy at the tree place put it into the stand for me because i am a single gal who gives great puppy dog eye. :wink:

the lights are on but i think i will finish decorating tomorrow...

Don Stugots

12-13-2008, 10:34 AM

Growing up we always had a fake tree and I hated it. Now, I will only get a real tree. I love the way it looks and smells.

Gvac

12-13-2008, 10:37 AM

When I was a kid we had a real tree in the living room and a fake one in the basement, which was the playroom.

My mother would decorate the real one all white...BORING.

We'd decorate the fake one all gaudy and trashy, the way it should be.

reillyluck

12-13-2008, 10:39 AM

Jujubees2

12-13-2008, 10:40 AM

Like many other, always had a fake one growing up. But the wife prefers real so we've had a real one for the past 15 years, despite cats who drink out of the tree stand.

Gvac

12-13-2008, 10:48 AM

i wish you had a picture of the awesome beer can christmas tree you told me about with Mark.

HA! BEST CHRISTMAS TREE EVER!

We forced ourselves to drink Miller High Life and Coors Light (YUCK) so we could have gold and silver ornaments, and we smoked Marlboros and Kools to add some green and red. The condom wrappers added an extra classy touch.

That apartment was like Animal House. Ah, youth.

Good times.

Friday

12-13-2008, 10:49 AM

Like many other, always had a fake one growing up. But the wife prefers real so we've had a real one for the past 15 years, despite cats who drink out of the tree stand.

:lol:

my kitten does this and it drives me nuts but he is cute as hell so he wins.

King Hippos Bandaid

12-13-2008, 12:04 PM

artificial for now

wife wants real when we move into a house

real candy canes though

HATE FAKE CANDY CANES!!!!!!

Don Stugots

12-13-2008, 12:05 PM

artificial for now

wife wants real when we move into a house

real candy canes though

HATE FAKE CANDY CANES!!!!!!

a fake candy cane? WTF?

reillyluck

12-13-2008, 12:07 PM

artificial for now

wife wants real when we move into a house

real candy canes though

HATE FAKE CANDY CANES!!!!!!

umm....thats not a candy cane

http://www.allglasssextoys.com/cart/images/ht1.jpg

King Hippos Bandaid

12-13-2008, 12:07 PM

a fake candy cane? WTF?

not really fake, but foam canes, buy the real ones please

Chip196

12-13-2008, 12:12 PM

We do real normally .. but we're going without a tree this year. We're up to the in-laws for about 10 day over Christmas (my brother-in-law is coming back from Iraq) ... so there was no need for a tree in our place.

MacVittie

12-13-2008, 12:15 PM

I agree with patsopinion's opinion's opinion.

Jughead

12-13-2008, 12:16 PM

I have both a fake one in the back room..A real one in the front...35 years of being together ya gather a lot of ornaments

drjoek

12-13-2008, 12:19 PM

Same here, tons of ornaments. Im also not at all selective about what goes on the tree. What ever comes out of the box is what goes on. We've probably got all those expensive ones that never see the light of day while some plastic bent thing goes on because its at the top of the box.:lol:

IMSlacker

12-13-2008, 12:19 PM

Fake, pre-lit tree. It's fucking awesome.

Jughead

12-13-2008, 12:44 PM

A.J.

12-13-2008, 09:15 PM

Treeless and decoration-free.

Dude!

12-13-2008, 09:18 PM

artificial christmas trees scream 'double-wide'

KC2OSO

12-13-2008, 09:23 PM

Real tree. Merry Christmas everyone! Peace.

Please, go hate someone else.

jennysmurf

12-13-2008, 10:55 PM

I always wanted a real tree when I was a kid. I got one a few years ago, and discovered I was allergic to them. They make me itchy. What can I say, I am a delicate flower.

PapaBear

12-13-2008, 10:57 PM

Real up until 3 years ago. I'm having trouble getting into the spirit to have either this year. If I don't, it will be the first time EVER.:flush:

tele7

12-14-2008, 05:33 AM

Real. An 8 foor frasier fir that I got just yesterday. Smells great!

SatCam

12-14-2008, 06:05 AM

fake one if my family even bothers putting it up. nothing like the smell of the fako coming down from the attic...... that's the smell I associate with xmas...... good times

sailor

12-14-2008, 06:07 AM

haven't had a tree in a dozen or more years. for baby's first xmas i just got a tacky one foot pre-lit fake. it's awesome!

~Katja~

12-14-2008, 06:11 AM

I have always insisted in a real one... but last year I went to Germany right after X-mas and only bought a small potted thing... and this year I went out to buy the tree and realized how much more expensive they had become... as well as the fact that alone I would probably not be able to carry it and set it up...
so I end up getting a fake one.
I am not liking it too much yet, but it needs much more decorations which are in my basement and to go up today.
On the upside the cat has no interest in it at all...

Friday

12-14-2008, 02:07 PM

and this year I went out to buy the tree and realized how much more expensive they had become... as well as the fact that alone I would probably not be able to carry it and set it up...

Next year maybe take a drive to Home Depot if they are near to you.

They get a lot of real trees and charge WAY less than the other guys ... (mine was $20 for a 6 footer)
you can also get one of the guys there to put it in the stand for you. That's what I did this year, being alone for the first time...
Of course, I gave him a tip but he really was quite sweet and very willing to help out a single gal. :)

Fez4PrezN2008

12-14-2008, 02:16 PM

We have an artificial tree, would like a real one but son and daughter are allergic :-(

drusilla

12-14-2008, 02:18 PM

put up my first christmas tree a while ago. we went with a small 4 1/2 footer that we got at the christmas tree shops for $14.99. pretty sweet. got most of the ornaments from box sets at target & my mom bought us a few nice ones from crate & barrel. eventually we'll get a bigger one, but the small one is good for our apartment now. i wonder if i'm allergic to a real christmas tree. i wouldn't be surprised.

hunnerbun

12-14-2008, 02:19 PM

Real, just put it up. Its standing in the corner so it can fluff out before I start to put the lights on it. Will finish decorating it tomorrow,

~Katja~

12-14-2008, 02:22 PM

Next year maybe take a drive to Home Depot if they are near to you.

They get a lot of real trees and charge WAY less than the other guys ... (mine was $20 for a 6 footer)
you can also get one of the guys there to put it in the stand for you. That's what I did this year, being alone for the first time...
Of course, I gave him a tip but he really was quite sweet and very willing to help out a single gal. :)

I know, but I always liked to get it from the local garden center right around the corner... but he charges 35 and up this year. The other thing is if I get a 7 ft tree they are quite heavy, I have a saw and stuff to get it in the stand... but have to get it in the car, off the car and in the house...

now that I bought the fake one it will have to do for at least 2 more years before I upgrade or buy real ones again.
Also next year I am planning to go to Germany again, so the fake tree will be good...

In Germany we don't put the tree up until Christmas Eve... usually it's a real big deal and the parents decorate it and the kids can't see it until it's all done.

cougarjake13

12-14-2008, 02:56 PM

artificial

too many probs with real ones, plus they eventually die

Friday

12-14-2008, 03:44 PM

ok here is my completed tree.... no presents under there yet.

geno is such a bloody over-achiever!! :tongue:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t250/Haskellitoberg/tree20084.jpg

~Katja~

12-14-2008, 03:45 PM

took some pictures of mine earlier... should upload them later

Friday

12-14-2008, 03:50 PM

and kitten drinking.... i am glad my new tree stand holds a lot of water!! :D

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t250/Haskellitoberg/kittendrinks.jpg

~Katja~

12-14-2008, 07:34 PM

so here is my fake tree
the stupid topper keeps coming down...lol

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/KatjaVillanueva/2008/Christmas/IMG_9043.jpg
and my kitty has it's own ornament
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/KatjaVillanueva/2008/Christmas/IMG_9058.jpg

and happy 3rd Advent
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/KatjaVillanueva/2008/Christmas/IMG_9069.jpg

tanless1

12-14-2008, 07:34 PM

keep a small one up all year, puts a warm feel on a quiet night. not opposed to putting up a second tree for the holiday.

Friday

12-14-2008, 07:39 PM

fake trees just aren't lit right.
there is something great about the lights going in and out and through the tree that pre-lit trees will never achieve.

my dad has a fake tree now and i bust his chops about it.
i guess to each his own but i can't wait to show my nephew his first real tree next year in Vegas.

drjoek

12-14-2008, 07:43 PM

Finished decorating my tree today. Turned out very nice. Ill get a picture tomorrow. We should have a best tree contest.

tele7

12-14-2008, 07:45 PM

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r209/telecaster7/xmas2008.jpg

The wire hanging from the shelf adds the extra touch of class

nate1000

12-15-2008, 05:40 AM

Real.

And I take the family out to the tree farm every year to chop it down ourselves. The kids love it.

~Katja~

12-15-2008, 05:46 AM

Finished decorating my tree today. Turned out very nice. Ill get a picture tomorrow. We should have a best tree contest.

mine will lose cause it's just not lit right ;) maybe it gets a honorable mention in the fake tree class...

Misteriosa

12-15-2008, 05:46 AM

fake tree for me :o

Friday

12-15-2008, 06:20 AM

mine will lose cause it's just not lit right ;) maybe it gets a honorable mention in the fake tree class...

your fake tree looks really perty! and your pictures are beautiful... my phone camera stinks
i am just being a snobby tree purist :p

~Katja~

12-15-2008, 06:21 AM

your fake tree looks really perty! and your pictures are beautiful... my phone camera stinks
i am just being a snobby tree purist :p

I was kidding.
I felt the same way about fake trees but just all the circumstances it was either no tree or fake...

now if someone could tell me how I could get the friggn tree topper to stay on... it's dangling off the side now for the 6th time.

Thebazile78

12-15-2008, 06:45 AM

I was kidding.
I felt the same way about fake trees but just all the circumstances it was either no tree or fake...

now if someone could tell me how I could get the friggn tree topper to stay on... it's dangling off the side now for the 6th time.

What does the base of the topper look like? I usually bend down the branches a bit to give the topper more support and try to get the lightest-weight topper I am able to find. Currently, that's a small angel with porcelain head & hands, lighted "candles" and fabric dress & wings; it's basically fabric, a plastic cone, wires and the head/hands.

(Yes, I am a fake-tree person, mostly because we'll be away from Christmas until Epiphany and won't be able to take care of a real tree. I think we had a real tree a total of twice when I was a kid, partially because we always had either a cat or an infant/toddler or two around, although my grandparents always had a real tree. They haven't the last few years because of Grandpa's ALS being so hard to manage, though. *sigh*)

~Katja~

12-15-2008, 06:51 AM

What does the base of the topper look like? I usually bend down the branches a bit to give the topper more support and try to get the lightest-weight topper I am able to find. Currently, that's a small angel with porcelain head & hands, lighted "candles" and fabric dress & wings; it's basically fabric, a plastic cone, wires and the head/hands.

(Yes, I am a fake-tree person, mostly because we'll be away from Christmas until Epiphany and won't be able to take care of a real tree. I think we had a real tree a total of twice when I was a kid, partially because we always had either a cat or an infant/toddler or two around, although my grandparents always had a real tree. They haven't the last few years because of Grandpa's ALS being so hard to manage, though. *sigh*)

it's a star and the base is like a metal spiral. I figured I could get it on top of the tree core but it seems to thick. The upper branches are not strong enough to support it so I bent them to the side. In my later attempts I even wrapped them around the base so it would stay... but it comes down as soon as I get too close to the tree.

I used to have a glass ornament tree topper before... damn thing broke.
Maybe I should look for a different topper...

hunnerbun

12-15-2008, 06:57 AM

Real.

And I take the family out to the tree farm every year to chop it down ourselves. The kids love it.

Ohhh I so miss doing this. The trees always last so much better and are really nice and fat, not all flattened out ans skinny.

Got my lights on last night and discovered I didn't have enough...how does this happen, do they just go missing like socks in a dryer?
Off to Canadian Tire for a couple of more sets today....ahhhh Canadian Tire, how do you Americans live without it?

NewYorkDragons80

12-15-2008, 07:13 AM

My family has been cutting one down at the same place in CT for as long as I've been alive. They were Blue Spruce for the longest time, but then I worked at a Nursery during college one Christmas season and convinced them to switch over to Fraser Fir for theirs. From my experience, Noble Firs are the best out there, but the cut-your-own place we go to doesn't have them. So Fraser is a close second, IMO.

razorboy

12-15-2008, 07:58 AM

The wire hanging from the shelf adds the extra touch of class

That and the vertical blinds.

Thebazile78

12-15-2008, 07:59 AM

it's a star and the base is like a metal spiral. I figured I could get it on top of the tree core but it seems to thick. The upper branches are not strong enough to support it so I bent them to the side. In my later attempts I even wrapped them around the base so it would stay... but it comes down as soon as I get too close to the tree.

I used to have a glass ornament tree topper before... damn thing broke.
Maybe I should look for a different topper...

OK, I had one of those for the tree I bought for the guy I was dating in 2001.

Try bending the top branch, get some electrical tape and a set of takeout chopsticks. Tape the chopsticks to the bent branch to make it thicker & more stable and see if that fixes it. It won't be pretty, but it should stay up correctly.

Thebazile78

12-15-2008, 07:59 AM

Ohhh I so miss doing this. The trees always last so much better and are really nice and fat, not all flattened out ans skinny.

Got my lights on last night and discovered I didn't have enough...how does this happen, do they just go missing like socks in a dryer?
Off to Canadian Tire for a couple of more sets today....ahhhh Canadian Tire, how do you Americans live without it?

We have Walgreens and WalMart instead.

~Katja~

12-15-2008, 08:05 AM

OK, I had one of those for the tree I bought for the guy I was dating in 2001.

Try bending the top branch, get some electrical tape and a set of takeout chopsticks. Tape the chopsticks to the bent branch to make it thicker & more stable and see if that fixes it. It won't be pretty, but it should stay up correctly.

hehe- I was thinking of whipping out the duct tape...lol
I may look for some big ribbon to cover up the bottom part that attaches to the tree.

Contra

12-15-2008, 09:22 AM

Growing up my mom would put up a real one. Then when she married and we moved to PA (I think I was like 10) we got a fake one. I haven't put one up since I left her house at 18, so its been 8 years. Living with my girl the past two christmases I've wanted to put one up because I really miss having a tree (I'd use a fake one, real is just too much hassle with 3 dogs and 2 cats) but we got lazy about it, as is the case this year too. Hopefully next year I will purchase one.