Fake tree this year, I think because of the drought over here there isn't many trees available, The ones I've seen are small and sick looking. We usually get a real one but not this year.
We've been using artificial for about 5 years. So much easier... no needles falling off, no need to worry about watering it so it won't become fire kindling, no need to buy a new one every year.
We have a small blue spruce in a pot. That way we don't have to worry about it losing needles or drying out. We just keep it watered and fertilized. Next summer, it'll go in a bigger pot and we'll have a larger tree next year.
If we were more ambitious, we'd just string lights around the 80 foot balsam fir outside
I have both, a real one and an artifical one in every other room in the house all with different themes.
The real one in the living room is decorated with all the special ornaments that were given as gifts to us and have meaning and all the handmade ornaments that my kids have made over the years that I cherish.
The artificial trees:
folk art in the dining room
victorian in my bedroom
woodsy/forest theme in the bathroom,
yes I have a christmas tree in my bathroom and I love taking a bath and watching the twinkle lights.
lodge type in the boys room such as bears, snow skies etc. along with a few of santa playing sports
a sweet little tree in my girls's room decorated with pink, purple and silver ornaments with a purple velvet tree skirt
a fun childrens' tree in the foyer, the younger children decorate it anyway they like, they use their imagination and crafts skills to make all kinds of things for it.
I collect old fashioned santas and have quite a few on the real tree, I may do a santa tree in the future.
I have never gone without a real tree, I love them.
I love the way they smell and just the feel I get when we all go out shopping for our Christmas tree, the kids are so excited shouting out whenever they think they have found the perfect tree.