Who has an Artificial Christmas tree Who has a Real Christmas tree?

[welsummerchicks]

We usually decorate a tree that is already rooted and outdoors. Occasionally, we buy a fir tree and decorate it, then keep it indoors, then plant it out in the spring.

I started getting a little weirded out by the incredible volume of trash from thrown-away Christmas trees some time ago, so tried to think of something better we could do.

 

[Moabite]

I don't have room for storing an artificial tree the other 11 months of the year. The last time I bought a harvested tree, I felt bad knowing it was 9 yrs old and died for our 3 week holiday. It was grown for this purpose, I know. It is still a little sad but I've decided that it wont go to waist. I'll trim the needles off into the compost (adds acidity), cut the little branches for kindling, and the trunk into 18" sections and stack for next years wood heat pile.

I believe that the whole idea behind the Christmas tree is to bring green "life" back into the surroundings to help with the gloom associated with the darkest part of winter. All the lights help too. Maybe that is why chickens' egg laying improves after adding lights, they were suffering from SADD (Seasonal Affective Depression Disorder).

 

[eenie114]

We're cutting ours from our woods.

I've already picked it out.

Whaddo you MEAN, "Have my parents approved that tree?"

 

[Mattemma]

We have a fake tree behind the big screen tv by the door we never use.Just pull it out and plug in,lol. I do buy evergreen seedlings in the spring to plant,but I doubt I would ever cut my *babies*. I have considered buying a small tree(with roots) that could be replanted,but the fake is so much easier.

When we did do real we got the fraiser trees.

 

[mom'sfolly]

We've had both in the past but now use a prelit fake tree. The real ones here come from so far away that they aren't even close to being fresh. When I was a kid we just went out in the woods and cut one. Buying a tree always seemed wrong to me.

 

[KCchickens]

I love real trees! The smell of them is amazing and just makes Christmas that much better
for me

plus afterwards we had something to throw on the fire.

Oh also we put mouse traps UNDER ( so no one gets all mad at me) the skirt, that way the cats stay away from it

 

[CrazyChickieMama]

We just got our tree yesterday! Real Frasier Fir. I reaaaaaallly don't like faux, but there are some years where we travel hither and yon for the holidays so fake is best.

The first year we were married, we were so broke that we couldn't afford a tree.
We waited until after midnight(technically Christmas morning) and swiped one off a compost pile at the tree stand.

Then we put our 4 ornaments on it and enjoyed the fruits of our labor.

We did that for about 3 years actually. But the other 2 we asked if we could have one. They knew we were struggling, so they would give us a really nice one if we waited til closing time Christmas eve to come ask.

 

[acid_chipmunk]

We live on a Christmas tree farm and I have a fake tree. I just can't justify the expense of a real one that is going to die. Plus, I have a new kitten this year and am afraid of what she would do to a real one.

 

[Drk_Wlf]

We had a real tree once.... turned out I was severely allergic and I had stay cooped up in my bedroom to avoid swollen eyes and sneezing fits the whole time we had the tree.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

We always had real trees, until I developed a sensitivity. My husband and I would rather have me in the house, than a real tree. "cause we can't have both!

I do have a lot of fond memories of going out to cut the tree and taking the dogs with us. They always had so much fun, too. Those were good years.