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General Discussions => General discussions => Topic started by: Julia1996 on November 26, 2017, 08:58:42 AM

Title: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on November 26, 2017, 08:58:42 AM
Hi everyone. Last year I bought a really pretty 6 foot artificial Christmas tree at an after Christmas clearance sale. It's pre lit with Led lights. So yesterday I told my brother to bring it down from the attic for me. My dad said no, he didn't want a fake tree. Ok, last year when I bought the tree he said it was fine. Now he changed his mind. I'm tired of real trees. For one thing you have to worry about keeping water in the stand so the tree won't dry out. Another thing is needles on the carpet. My dad said that wasn't an issue because our vacuum cleaner is really powerful.  That doesn't matter. Some of the needles get woven into the carpet. A black hole couldn't pull those out. I have to get down there and work them out one at a time.

The fake tree already has lights on it. You just plug it in and decorate it. My dad and brother always pick a huge tree. 7-8 feet tall.  Since they both always seem to not be around when it's time to decorate the tree I have to use a step ladder to string the lights and garland. That's tedious! I kind of understand why my dad wants a real tree. My grandparents have this silver monstrosity they've put up every Christmas since before my dad was even born. There's this spotlight thing that shines on the tree that changes colors. It's hideous.  So I told my dad if he has to have a real tree he and Tyler could decorate it. They both started saying they didn't know how to decorate a Christmas tree. I told them it wasn't brain surgery.  So now they are calling me a grinch.

This made me wonder how other people feel about real vs fake trees. Do you have only a real tree or would you be happy with a fake tree?
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Devlyn on November 26, 2017, 09:07:50 AM
Oh, now you've done it! We had a nice forum but you had to bring up this divisive topic.  :laugh:

I like a real tree....in someone else's house, of course.   ;D

Hugs, Devlyn
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: RachelH on November 26, 2017, 09:08:45 AM
Hi Julia,
I prefer the smell of a real tree but they are definitely more work and depending on the species, can be much more expensive in the long run.  While I love everything about them, like you we opted for a very good Martha Stewart 9' tree a few years ago.  It was close to $500 but it looks great today as it did when we fist took it out of the box new.  Since it is so tall, we still have to use a ladder but it is lightly flocked and brightly lit and to be honest, the lights are the hardest part to me.  If I want the smell, we will but some fresh garland or swags and hang them but the kids are getting to the age where they don't really care so we just do what we do and I will stick with the artificial one.
Good luck!
Paula
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: RachelH on November 26, 2017, 09:10:04 AM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on November 26, 2017, 09:07:50 AM
Oh, now you've done it! We had a nice forum but you had to bring up this divisive topic.  :laugh:

I like a real tree....in someone else's house, of course.   ;D

Hugs, Devlyn

Yep, let them vacuum the needles that are stuck in the carpet when they take it down!  LOL
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: sarah1972 on November 26, 2017, 09:20:44 AM
Hahaha... can we add the question candles versus incandescent versus LED lights to the mix?

Personally I prefer a real tree. With cats and a 20 month old, we usually end up putting it on the front porch...

And on the lights... meh... I am "one of those"... in good years I had 50,000 + LED's on my house blinking to music, yard filled with inflatables and I would spent way too much time on it. So I am all crazy about stuff like this.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on November 26, 2017, 09:24:13 AM
Quote from: PaulaLee on November 26, 2017, 09:10:04 AM
Yep, let them vacuum the needles that are stuck in the carpet when they take it down!  LOL

Last year after it was time to take out the tree, instead of opening both of the double doors, like when they brought the tree in, my brother left one door closed and just jerked the tree through one door. I think every needle on that tree fell off when he did that. My brother just stood there with a dumb look on his face. He said he didn't think that would happen.  Really? You snatch a tree that's wider than the door through it and you're surprised all the needles fell off? DUHHHH. A mess doesn't even cover it. I had to use a broom and dustpan before I could even think of using the vacuum.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: HappyMoni on November 26, 2017, 09:28:17 AM
You know Julia, forget a show about Jazz's family. I would love to see a reality show based on your family. You paint such a picture in your posts. I picture it as full of adventure and love. Oh, I guess I better answer the question huh? Real tree, love a real tree. I was the youngest of 5 kids, and my sister and I would go behind the tree as our special place. She died in 2007 but I will always have that memory. The smell kicks it in every time. Plastic doesn't do that for me.
Moni
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Faith on November 26, 2017, 09:28:45 AM
First, yes. Let them deal with the tree

Second, i prefer real. We had an artificial last year and likely will use it again this year. Ir's easier.

Third, we've always tree burned on New Years Eve. I can't do that with an artificial.

Pros and cons, there is no right answer

Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on November 26, 2017, 09:31:49 AM
Quote from: sarah1972 on November 26, 2017, 09:20:44 AM
Hahaha... can we add the question candles versus incandescent versus LED lights to the mix?

Personally I prefer a real tree. With cats and a 20 month old, we usually end up putting it on the front porch...

And on the lights... meh... I am "one of those"... in good years I had 50,000 + LED's on my house blinking to music, yard filled with inflatables and I would spent way too much time on it. So I am all crazy about stuff like this.

Candles?  How could you use candles on a tree? It would catch on fire. Oh yeah, the outside decorations. My dad is totally anal about the outside decorations and really I think he over does it. Though it is fun to listen to he and Tyler arguing and debating over what will look good where. I always worried about the cat wrecking the Christmas tree but it was my dog who actually did. She grabbed the garland on the very bottom of the tree and I guess she played tug of war with it and the whole tree fell over. Thankfully she didn't get hurt.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Devlyn on November 26, 2017, 09:39:47 AM
When I do have a tree, I use only flashing lights. I love that occasional split second when the strings sync up and the whole tree goes dark.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Dianne H on November 26, 2017, 09:49:17 AM
We always had a real tree for the kids.
Every year my wife would ask me to plant it in the back yard when I took it out of the house.
Like a dummy, I did.
The tree faithfully died each year.
The frozen ground and using a pick should have foretold this but I love her.
Ten years later one of the tress that survived is six feet tall.
My son comes home to live with us in the summer.
He cuts the tree down for a place to park his 4X4.
It'll be a fake tree this year.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Laurie on November 26, 2017, 10:03:50 AM
  My Dear Julia,

  You are not a grinch. I have yet to relinquish that title. If one my have a tree then it must be a real tree. For many years I made the drive to the mountain forests here in the snow with my to hunt down a nice fresh tree to cut down and fetch home myself. Many times I was alone and in other years I brought my nephews to help find "The  Tree" Getting the tree and setting it in place was my contribution to the holiday I've disliked since childhood. Yes I bought presents and hated shopping for them. I didn't mind giving presents but wanted none for myself. I got some anyway and was hard press to appear appreciative. I still hate receiving gifts for many probably unreasonable reasons. I would much prefer others honor my wishes. I have a difficult time with gratitude.
   Since my mom died (she loved Christmas) my sister and I don't celebrate the holiday. We get a few gifts for others yes and get a couple in return. But no tree, no decorations and no special meal. It is just another day around here. The last several years I would spend a few days at my daughters with my grand children and attend Christmas services with them at their church but even that is gone this year. I am no longer welcome there.
  I'm good with being The Grinch. I fit the part well.

Laurie
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: MaryT on November 26, 2017, 10:13:08 AM
Quote from: Julia1996 on November 26, 2017, 09:24:13 AM
... A mess doesn't even cover it. I had to use a broom and dustpan before I could even think of using the vacuum.

Don't cry CindersJulia, you WILL go to the ball.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: MaryT on November 26, 2017, 10:16:26 AM
Quote from: Laurie on November 26, 2017, 10:03:50 AM
  I good with being The Grinch. I fit the part well.

Well, this year I know that many members will be raising a glass to the Grinch.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: MaryT on November 26, 2017, 10:28:22 AM
Quote from: Dianne H on November 26, 2017, 09:49:17 AM
We always had a real tree for the kids.
Every year my wife would ask me to plant it in the back yard when I took it out of the house.
Like a dummy, I did.
The tree faithfully died each year.
The frozen ground and using a pick should have foretold this but I love her.
Ten years later one of the tress that survived is six feet tall.
My son comes home to live with us in the summer.
He cuts the tree down for a place to park his 4X4.
It'll be a fake tree this year.

So sad.  While spending Xmas in what is now Zimbabwe many years ago, I heard of someone planting their tree in their garden, and that it sprang up rapidly.  Some advantages to having Xmas without snow, I suppose.

I have never even seen a real Xmas tree inside a house.  I have been tempted by miniature real trees, just a few inches tall, that I have seen for sale, though.  This house hasn't seen decorations for at least seven years but this Xmas I will put up an equally small fake tree that I was given as a child.  It is bent and missing a couple of baubles but it will be nostalgic.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Shambles on November 26, 2017, 10:33:11 AM
We always go fake but i do pine for a real one
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on November 26, 2017, 10:50:20 AM
Quote from: Laurie on November 26, 2017, 10:03:50 AM
  My Dear Julia,

  You are not a grinch. I have yet to relinquish that title. If one my have a tree then it must be a real tree. For many years I made the drive to the mountain forests here in the snow with my to hunt down a nice fresh tree to cut down and fetch home myself. Many times I was alone and in other years I brought my nephews to help find "The  Tree" Getting the tree and setting it in place was my contribution to the holiday I've disliked since childhood. Yes I bought presents and hated shopping for them. I didn't mind giving presents but wanted none for myself. I got some anyway and was hard press to appear appreciative. I still hate receiving gifts for many probably unreasonable reasons. I would much prefer others honor my wishes. I have a difficult time with gratitude.
   Since my mom died (she loved Christmas) my sister and I don't celebrate the holiday. We get a few gifts for others yes and get a couple in return. But no tree, no decorations and no special meal. It is just another day around here. The last several years I would spend a few days at my daughters with my grand children and attend Christmas services with them at their church but even that is gone this year. I am no longer welcome there.
  I good with being The Grinch. I fit the part well.

Laurie

Cutting your own tree sounds really cool. I'm sorry you don't like Christmas but I can understand that you don't.  I was getting to the point where Christmas is far more work than fun. My mom has never been wild about Christmas and does as little as possible to prepare for it. She made me decorate the tree and wrap all the gifts. When I turned 16 she gave me her credit cards and lists and made me do her shopping as well. I enjoy Christmas shopping, but I enjoy doing my own Christmas shopping. When you have endless lists of stuff including a crapload of gifts for her friends and the people she worked with , that wasn't enjoyable. I also like wrapping gifts I'm giving to people and i don't mind wrapping stuff my dad and brother bought , but when you have to wrap a mountain of stuff for people you don't know or people you don't like it gets tedious fast. Plus I had my mom criticizing everything I did and telling me to use good paper and wrap them right because they were for people she worked with. And having her tell me some of them looked like a monkey wrapped them and to re-wrap them.

So I do understand why the holidays can be hard for some people. I'm sad to say I'm looking forward to Christmas this year because my mom won't be a part of it.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Laurie on November 26, 2017, 10:58:59 AM
  You cannot beat cutting your own tree from a free growing forest for freshness and aroma. There is also is something attractive about getting a tree that you have searched for yourself that is the best untrimmed shape you can find. I abhor the commercial trees that appear to have been trimmed in a huge pencil sharpener. Give be a wild grown one any day.

Laurie
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: KathyLauren on November 26, 2017, 11:11:29 AM
My mother always used to have an artificial tree.  I used to help her set it up and decorate it.

My wife and I don't do a tree at all.  Never have.  It's all humbug.  We string up some lights outside, because it's so dark this time of year.  That's all.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Charlotte F on November 26, 2017, 11:13:50 AM
I can't believe you're even asking this question Julia - it has to be real

That smell that fills the whole house just brings back every good childhood memory of Christmas for me

They are a pain in the bum though.  This year when I was laid up recovering, I wouldn't let anyone take my tree down.  It lasted until March and brightened up the living room until I was well enough to take it down!  Unfortunately, one tap on the tree taking decorations off and every needle fell into a huge pile on the carpet!  I swear, even now I still seem to be finding needles when I clean
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Devlyn on November 26, 2017, 11:14:57 AM
Quote from: Shambles on November 26, 2017, 10:33:11 AM
We always go fake but i do pine for a real one

Badum-tss!  ;D
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: MaryT on November 26, 2017, 11:17:53 AM
Quote from: KathyLauren on November 26, 2017, 11:11:29 AM
[Bah!]  My wife and I don't do a tree at all.  Never have.  It's all humbug.

Christmas a humbug, Kathy!  You don't mean that, I am sure?
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on November 26, 2017, 11:19:51 AM
Quote from: Charlotte F on November 26, 2017, 11:13:50 AM
I can't believe you're even asking this question Julia - it has to be real

That smell that fills the whole house just brings back every good childhood memory of Christmas for me

They are a pain in the bum though.  This year when I was laid up recovering, I wouldn't let anyone take my tree down.  It lasted until March and brightened up the living room until I was well enough to take it down!  Unfortunately, one tap on the tree taking decorations off and every needle fell into a huge pile on the carpet!  I swear, even now I still seem to be finding needles when I clean

That was one argument my dad had for a real tree, the smell. I told him I would get pine scented air freshener. He just shook his head and told me I was very cold and clinical about some things. I am not! I just don't like messes.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Megan. on November 26, 2017, 11:22:51 AM
Never owned a real one,  my family used the same fake one for thirty years! Now that's value for money [emoji16]

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: MaryT on November 26, 2017, 11:25:38 AM
Quote from: Shambles on November 26, 2017, 10:33:11 AM
We always go fake but i do pine for a real one
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on November 26, 2017, 11:14:57 AM
Badum-tss!  ;D

When no pun is meant, there should be no punishment.
Badum-tss!  ;D
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Shambles on November 26, 2017, 11:29:39 AM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on November 26, 2017, 11:14:57 AM
Badum-tss!  ;D

Yay! Someone got it lol. I thought i saw some tumbleweed roll over for a min
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Devlyn on November 26, 2017, 11:32:55 AM
Quote from: MaryT on November 26, 2017, 11:25:38 AM
Quote from: Shambles on November 26, 2017, 10:33:11 AM
We always go fake but i do pine for a real one
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on November 26, 2017, 11:14:57 AM
Badum-tss!  ;D

When no pun is meant, there should be no punishment.
Badum-tss!  ;D

Well done!  :eusa_clap:
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Cenna on November 26, 2017, 11:34:59 AM
Always liked a real tree but carpet is meh. get an it bitty one and put it on a table I say. trees a tree don't need any of this 8ft nonsense - unless you plan on having a bonfire after Christmas.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Shambles on November 26, 2017, 11:44:23 AM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on November 26, 2017, 11:32:55 AM
When no pun is meant, there should be no punishment.
Badum-tss!  ;D


Well done!  :eusa_clap:


Are these offically mum jokes now ?!
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Laurie on November 26, 2017, 12:07:24 PM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on November 26, 2017, 11:32:55 AM
When no pun is meant, there should be no punishment.
Badum-tss!  ;D


Well done!  :eusa_clap:

No matter how you cook it, fresh cut wild grown Christmas trees are rare, are heaven scent, and are best served with all the trimmings.

Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Devlyn on November 26, 2017, 12:14:50 PM
Laurie, yew knew that comment wood go against the grain of the topic.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Roll on November 26, 2017, 12:20:00 PM
I choose option 3: Real, but not a traditional tree. I'm all about the rosemary bushes trimmed to look like Christmas trees. Not only do I have something for Christmas, I get delicious rosemary! I'm feeling very Martha Stewart-y with this post. You know, without the unbridled evil.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: HappyMoni on November 26, 2017, 12:27:01 PM
Yule have to excuse me but what is a Badum-tss?

Seriously
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Devlyn on November 26, 2017, 12:30:34 PM
I maple some strings and have some of the posts here replaced with stakes.

Quote from: HappyMoni on November 26, 2017, 12:27:01 PM
Yule have to excuse me but what is a Badum-tss?

Seriously

You know, a rimshot. And with that, our fair topic is doomed.

Julia, you should have created a pole for this.

Doomed, I say.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Megan. on November 26, 2017, 12:34:32 PM
Fir goodness stakes this thread is becoming a real cracker.

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Allison S on November 26, 2017, 12:37:35 PM
I walked by some trees they're selling in town. Honestly I can't tell the difference by first sight if they're real or not.

I like a tree to be next to a cozy fireplace. Too bad I can't have either this year since I'm sharing an apartment and only have access to a bedroom [emoji17]


Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on November 26, 2017, 12:38:31 PM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on November 26, 2017, 12:30:34 PM
I maple some strings and have some of the posts here replaced with stakes.

You know, a rimshot. And with that, our fair topic is doomed.

Julia, you should have created a pole for this.

Doomed, I say.
I should have. I didn't expect this topic to be that popular. Lol
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: HappyMoni on November 26, 2017, 12:39:31 PM
If this joke is about wood, I regret I no longer am qualified to participate. (No I don't)
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Devlyn on November 26, 2017, 12:40:19 PM
Doomed.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Megan. on November 26, 2017, 12:46:58 PM
Quote from: Julia1996 on November 26, 2017, 12:38:31 PM
I should have. I didn't expect this topic to be that popular. Lol
Popular or Poplar??

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Devlyn on November 26, 2017, 12:48:54 PM
Looking back through the logs, it isn't hard to see where this Shambles started.  ;D
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: DawnOday on November 26, 2017, 03:42:39 PM
I live in the land of Christmas trees. Washington. Just go outside to smell the cedar. Anyone beside me remember the old aluminum trees with the color wheels? That may be why I  never really got into Christmas. My Grandfathers real tree with the bubbler lights always looked so pretty.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Shambles on November 26, 2017, 04:11:20 PM
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on November 26, 2017, 12:48:54 PM
Looking back through the logs, it isn't hard to see where this Shambles started.  ;D


Excuse me, i reasemble that remark.


Wrote a funny reply this evening about something on here but had to resisit posting in case i was a little over the mark  ::)
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Cindy on November 26, 2017, 04:35:11 PM
Well we have a fake tree, with fake snow, with Santa Claus wearing shorts and T-shirt and the air conditioning running at full blast so we can eat a hot cooked meal on a hot day when we would be better off with a salad.

Oh and send Christmas cards with snow scenes and warm fires burning with people wrapped up in scarves and big coats.

Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Laurie on November 26, 2017, 04:36:27 PM
 I pre fir a Noble tree but usually cut a douglas down to be spruced up all pretty.
.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on November 26, 2017, 05:56:39 PM
Quote from: Cindy on November 26, 2017, 04:35:11 PM
Well we have a fake tree, with fake snow, with Santa Claus wearing shorts and T-shirt and the air conditioning running at full blast so we can eat a hot cooked meal on a hot day when we would be better off with a salad.

Oh and send Christmas cards with snow scenes and warm fires burning with people wrapped up in scarves and big coats.
I've heard about it being summer in Australia while it's winter everywhere else. I had never heard that before and i thought he was just messing with me until I googled it. That seems totally weird to me. Christmas in the summer? That just seems....wrong. Lol. But I suppose it's weird to him having Christmas in the winter.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Sno on November 26, 2017, 06:04:32 PM
Oh Julia, summer Christmas is weird, really, really weird... our Santa is depicted in Jandals or Gummies, but somehow it always seems better using the BBQ :)

And yes, it still has to be a real tree, even though it drinks litres of water a day... :)


Hohoho bah humbug,

Rowan
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Kylo on November 27, 2017, 07:12:18 PM
All I remember of real trees is having them in the room as a child and accidentally stepping on the needles and having to pull them out of my feet for weeks.

I've always used fake trees since. Always seemed a waste to me to hack one down for a few days in a year.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Lady Sarah on November 27, 2017, 11:46:20 PM
The last time we bought a real tree was two years ago. We got a live one, with roots. It is presently growing in our yard. Of course, we still use artificial trees. It seems obsurd to kill a tree. To me, it's like dressing up a corpse, and making it look all pretty.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: TonyaW on November 28, 2017, 12:06:36 AM
Quote from: Julia1996 on November 26, 2017, 11:19:51 AM
That was one argument my dad had for a real tree, the smell. I told him I would get pine scented air freshener. He just shook his head and told me I was very cold and clinical about some things. I am not! I just don't like messes.
They make something called scentsicles that will make a fake tree smell real. They work pretty well. They hang on the tree like an ornament.

I'd prefer a real tree, but finding one that looks nice and fits in the spaces I've had available to put them is near impossible.  Also have traveled over the holidays so not always around to water etc.  So the artificial one usually wins.

And this little guy is full grown now and climbs even higher so there may be no tree this year. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171128/40291d978ec467cf87d294020d620414.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171128/084668d1c22ef7774431acccec402fe9.jpg)

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Cenna on November 28, 2017, 03:27:51 AM
I seem to recall traveling one year and having a pointsetia as a tree....ahh good times.

Totally not hyjacking the thread.......
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: KathyLauren on November 28, 2017, 10:52:59 AM
Quote from: Cenna on November 28, 2017, 03:27:51 AM
I seem to recall traveling one year and having a pointsetia as a tree....ahh good times.
LOL!  I had a roommate once who decorated a rubber plant instead of putting up a tree.   :D
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on November 28, 2017, 11:19:28 AM
Quote from: KathyLauren on November 28, 2017, 10:52:59 AM
LOL!  I had a roommate once who decorated a rubber plant instead of putting up a tree.   :D

Once when my grandparents visited Florida in December and took pictures of a palm tree decorated for Christmas. That's just wrong. Yuck!
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Kylo on November 29, 2017, 07:24:49 PM
Living in a student house once upon a time, I came home to a literal twig in a pot with tinsel wrapped around it that someone had put on top of the TV.

It had the effect of being 200% more depressing than no tree at all.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Angela Drakken on November 30, 2017, 05:16:37 AM
Quote from: Viktor on November 29, 2017, 07:24:49 PM
Living in a student house once upon a time, I came home to a literal twig in a pot with tinsel wrapped around it that someone had put on top of the TV.

It had the effect of being 200% more depressing than no tree at all.
They went full on 'charlie brown christmas'?! Thats kinda amazing actually..

My grandfather on my dads side used to always have a real tree, 10-12 feet tall and he was so OCD (runs in the family..) hed spend 10 days decorating it, finishing by placing each STRAND of tinsel one at a time..

Growing up we had fake trees. Because mess and because dogs and cats.

Neither really enhanced or detracted from christmas for me growing up. This will be the first year I go without a tree where Im 'living.' (Basically squatting while I move out of my apartment because reasons..)

Maybe Im sentimental but I have to have a tree. Doesnt have to be spectacular. Even a charlie brown christmas tree is something. Hell, the steel pole from seinfeld even..

Sent from my LG-H812 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Kylo on November 30, 2017, 08:49:41 AM
They did.

I would like a tree but at the moment there's almost nowhere for it to go. The apartment is bordering on Tokyo levels of spatial challenge.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: rmaddy on November 30, 2017, 10:22:48 AM
I used to love real trees.  I even planted 250 Colorado spruce and balsam firs out back in hopes of using our own someday.  About 10 years ago, we did--a flawless 9" spruce.  It was the prickliest damn tree I ever met.  We had to decorate it with gloves on, and that barely helped.  In 2 weeks, it went full Charlie Brown.

I'm not really into Christmas anymore except in the Tim Minchin sense,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q)

Mostly, it's because I'm not into Jesus anymore, and the kids are grown.  Nevertheless, we still have a tree--a wonderful, fake tree.  It looks nice in the living room, and for the last 3 years we haven't had to step on needles whenever we're barefoot for the next 11 months, nor worry that the dog will want to pee against it when we're not looking.

Team Fake, I guess.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on November 30, 2017, 11:06:10 AM
Quote from: Viktor on November 29, 2017, 07:24:49 PM
Living in a student house once upon a time, I came home to a literal twig in a pot with tinsel wrapped around it that someone had put on top of the TV.

It had the effect of being 200% more depressing than no tree at all.
A few years ago my dad had bought a tree my brother thought the tree was uneven and started cutting of branches. By the time he got done the tree looked like a 7 foot umbrella.  I nearly died laughing! When my dad saw it he got really mad and went out and bought another tree.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Roll on November 30, 2017, 12:17:50 PM
Quote from: Angela Drakken on November 30, 2017, 05:16:37 AM

Maybe Im sentimental but I have to have a tree. Doesnt have to be spectacular. Even a charlie brown christmas tree is something. Hell, the steel pole from seinfeld even..

Frank Costanza would be appalled, his pole was aluminum. It has a very high strength to weight ratio!

Quote from: rmaddy on November 30, 2017, 10:22:48 AM
I'm not really into Christmas anymore except in the Tim Minchin sense,

His song about prejudice was powerful and moving.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Lady Sarah on November 30, 2017, 07:16:59 PM
Food for thought:  they had a thing on the news this morning regarding real trees. The average live tree has an average of 2000 bugs living in it, mostly spiders and mites.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Maddie86 on November 30, 2017, 07:20:55 PM
I want a real tree this year but my mom said no. We haven't had a real one for a few years now and last year we didn't even put up the fake one. I haven't had any Christmas cheer for a very long time and now that both of my sisters are moved out my mom doesn't care to put the effort into setting one up. This Christmas is gunna be rough, my grandmother died on Easter this year, so this is our first Christmas without her. My sister is taking it hard, she's going to visit my aunt in Dallas because she can't be around for it, and they're gunna go visit the ship that my grandfather was on during WWII. So it's just gunna be me and my mom this year. My uncle invited us over but for some reason my mom doesn't want to go and I would feel bad going without her. It doesn't even feel like we're a family anymore! I want a real tree because that's what we always used to get when I was a kid, and I just wanted something to remind me of the good old days, I really miss the smell. I remember 7 years ago I came home drunk one night from my friend's birthday party and we had a real tree that year and when I got home I saw it lit up for the first time and it was so beautiful! The fake ones have never given me that special feeling.

Sorry, this post was more of a bummer than I intended it to be!
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Cindy on November 30, 2017, 07:22:24 PM

This is the latest fashion fir trees - weird even for an Australian

https://www.babble.com/entertainment/upside-down-christmas-tree-trend/
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on November 30, 2017, 07:32:09 PM
Quote from: Lady Sarah on November 30, 2017, 07:16:59 PM
Food for thought:  they had a thing on the news this morning regarding real trees. The average live tree has an average of 2000 bugs living in it, mostly spiders and mites.
Oh great bugs in the Christmas tree. I should douse it in raid. Hmmm...spiders you say? I think I can have some fun with that.  My brother has a phobia about spiders.  😈😋
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on November 30, 2017, 07:33:30 PM
Quote from: Cindy on November 30, 2017, 07:22:24 PM
This is the latest fashion fir trees - weird even for an Australian

https://www.babble.com/entertainment/upside-down-christmas-tree-trend/

That is totally weird. Who would want an upside down tree ???
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: rmaddy on November 30, 2017, 09:58:06 PM
Quote from: Lady Sarah on November 30, 2017, 07:16:59 PM
Food for thought:  they had a thing on the news this morning regarding real trees. The average live tree has an average of 2000 bugs living in it, mostly spiders and mites.

Great fleas have little fleas
Upon their backs to bite 'em
And these in turn have smaller fleas
And so ad infinitum

And the great fleas themselves
Have bigger fleas to go on
And these in turn have greater still
And greater still and so on
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: TonyaW on December 01, 2017, 04:58:17 PM
Quote from: Lady Sarah on November 30, 2017, 07:16:59 PM
Food for thought:  they had a thing on the news this morning regarding real trees. The average live tree has an average of 2000 bugs living in it, mostly spiders and mites.
What about squirrels?
Quote from: Cindy on November 30, 2017, 07:22:24 PM
This is the latest fashion fir trees - weird even for an Australian

https://www.babble.com/entertainment/upside-down-christmas-tree-trend/
The article mentions old Polish tradition of hanging upside down from the ceiling.  That might be cool, but it looks pretty goofy upside down on a stand. 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Lady Sarah on December 01, 2017, 06:30:30 PM
Quote from: TonyaW on December 01, 2017, 04:58:17 PM
What about squirrels?The article mentions old Polish tradition of hanging upside down from the ceiling.  That might be cool, but it looks pretty goofy upside down on a stand. 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Make the squirrels into a stew, and eat it under the tree.

Sent from my NS-P10A7100 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Roll on December 01, 2017, 06:41:03 PM
I know somebody, somewhere, has one of the upside down tree with nothing but Stranger Things themed decorations.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on December 02, 2017, 08:26:25 AM
Quote from: Lady Sarah on December 01, 2017, 06:30:30 PM
Make the squirrels into a stew, and eat it under the tree.

Sent from my NS-P10A7100 using Tapatalk

OMG, that's awful! Squirrels are SO cute. They aren't meant to be eaten!
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Roll on December 02, 2017, 09:18:46 AM
Quote from: Julia1996 on December 02, 2017, 08:26:25 AM
OMG, that's awful! Squirrels are SO cute. They aren't meant to be eaten!

I wish someone would tell that to every cat and dog I've ever had. ;/ I have seen a squirrel's head bitten off far too many times in my life.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on December 02, 2017, 09:44:58 AM
Quote from: Roll on December 02, 2017, 09:18:46 AM
I wish someone would tell that to every cat and dog I've ever had. ;/ I have seen a squirrel's head bitten off far too many times in my life.

I've had our cat bring rat heads home. It's not like we live in the country so I don't know where she finds them. Cats can be very disgusting!  Our cat had kittens and one was still born. The cat was licking the dead kitten and I felt so bad for her. I decided to wait a few minutes before taking the dead kitten away so she could have a little bit of time to say goodbye or whatever. I came back in a few minutes and she was EATING IT!!!! Only its little head was left and she was chomping away on the rest of it. She wasn't licking the dead kitten because she was trying to bring it to like she was licking it because she was getting ready to eat it! Ewwww!!!!!
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Roll on December 02, 2017, 10:14:07 AM
Quote from: Julia1996 on December 02, 2017, 09:44:58 AM
She wasn't licking the dead kitten because she was trying to bring it to like she was licking it because she was getting ready to eat it! Ewwww!!!!!

That's pretty standard with non-domesticated animals, and cats are actually nowhere near as domesticated as we tend to think they are. They basically domesticated themselves out of convenience, so certain traits and instincts were not curbed in the same way that it was with some other species we actively domesticated.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on December 02, 2017, 10:46:49 AM
Quote from: Roll on December 02, 2017, 10:14:07 AM
That's pretty standard with non-domesticated animals, and cats are actually nowhere near as domesticated as we tend to think they are. They basically domesticated themselves out of convenience, so certain traits and instincts were not curbed in the same way that it was with some other species we actively domesticated.

Yeah at the end of the day pet are still animals. I found an injured bird in the back yard. I put the bird on a lawnchair while I was putting a blanket in a box to put it in. Before I could even turn around my dog snatched the bird off the chair and shook it. I guess she broke the birds back or something because it was very dead when I got it away from her. I got so mad at her for killing that bird but then I thought about it and she is an animal no matter how much I tend to kind of humanize her. She just did what her instincts told her to.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Lady Sarah on December 02, 2017, 12:01:04 PM
Quote from: Julia1996 on December 02, 2017, 08:26:25 AM
OMG, that's awful! Squirrels are SO cute. They aren't meant to be eaten!
Did you know they'll move into your attic, chew on wiring, and cause your house to burn down? That's why it's always squirrel season. We just toss ours in the trash.

Sent from my NS-P10A7100 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on December 02, 2017, 12:12:13 PM
Quote from: Lady Sarah on December 02, 2017, 12:01:04 PM
Did you know they'll move into your attic, chew on wiring, and cause your house to burn down? That's why it's always squirrel season. We just toss ours in the trash.

Sent from my NS-P10A7100 using Tapatalk

I know.  We had a squirrel in our attic. My dad was going to kill it but I made him use a humane trap and let it go outside. He said that squirrels were vermin just like mice and rats. I don't care, I don't want to see a mouse or rat killed either. I remember once when I was 8 my grandpa had set a mouse trap in his outdoor storage building. It trapped a mouse but instead of killing it it just messed it up. The mouse was screeching like crazy. I wouldn't have thought a mouse could be that loud. It was too much for me and I really cried. My grandpa told me it was just a stupid, filthy mouse and to stop it. After my dad caught the squirrel he used wire mesh to block the way it got in.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: MaryT on December 02, 2017, 12:15:04 PM
Quote from: Julia1996 link=topic=231061.msg2055888#msg2055888 dahttps://www.susans.org/forums/Smileys/susans/azn.gifte=1512092010
That is totally weird. Who would want an upside down tree ???

Australia is in the southern hemisphere and the USA is in the northern hemisphere, so everything in the USA is upside down to Tristan.  An upside down Christmas tree in Denver would be right way up for him, and make him feel right at home.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on December 02, 2017, 12:17:47 PM
Quote from: MaryT on December 02, 2017, 12:15:04 PM
Australia is in the southern hemisphere and the USA is in the northern hemisphere, so everything in the USA is upside down to Tristan.  An upside down Christmas tree in Denver would be right way up for him, and make him feel right at home.

I never thought about that. Lol.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Laurie on December 02, 2017, 12:46:34 PM
Just a point on squirrels.  I have eaten squirrel and it is pretty good but you need several to make a decent meal.  If I could catch the many squirrels that torment me at night with their constant chattering in my head, I'd fry them up in a heart beat. Rabbit is also good.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Siobhan Amanda on December 02, 2017, 01:01:08 PM
Haha, what a great post!
Quote from: Laurie on December 02, 2017, 12:46:34 PM
Just a point on squirrels.  I have eaten squirrel and it is pretty good but you need several to make a decent meal.  If I could catch the many squirrels that torment me at night with their constant chattering in my head, I'd fry them up in a heart beat. Rabbit is also good.
I'm with Laurie on this one, I've had squirrel when remote, though not much meat, I didn't do it but I hear you can grind the bones and add to the broth.
I love real trees though having one you can plug in is handy, especially if you leave the decorations on. It's a bit like a microwave version, kind of Christmas in a hurry😊.
Plastic roses are good too as they never die " eternal roses" they're called😍 and quite often you can get them at servos on the highway.
Siobhan
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Julia1996 on December 02, 2017, 02:14:36 PM
Quote from: broage on December 02, 2017, 01:01:08 PM
Haha, what a great post!  I'm with Laurie on this one, I've had squirrel when remote, though not much meat, I didn't do it but I hear you can grind the bones and add to the broth.
I love real trees though having one you can plug in is handy, especially if you leave the decorations on. It's a bit like a microwave version, kind of Christmas in a hurry😊.
Plastic roses are good too as they never die " eternal roses" they're called😍 and quite often you can get them at servos on the highway.
Siobhan

I have a great Aunt who does that. She has a big fake tree. She has it on a roller base. All she has to do is roll it into place, throw a tree skirt on the bottom to hide the base and plug it in. After Christmas she just rolls it into one of her spare bedrooms.  She is.....eccentric I guess you could say. But I thought her Christmas tree idea was smart.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Jessica on December 03, 2017, 04:19:03 PM
Hey girls 🙋 We are leasing a live tree this year.  They bring it out and after the season they pick it up and tend to it through the year.  You can have the same tree year after year.
Jessica 🤶
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: scrubcore on December 09, 2017, 03:10:54 PM
I personally like fake christmas trees. I think real tress are very messy and I have anxiety around house fires so obviously as trees dry out the more anxious I become. I find fake trees reduce a lot of  my anxiety.
As for the lack of smell, that doesn't bother me too much! They make "ScentSicles" that smell just as nice as the real thing and stay pretty potent for a while.
Also I feel like a good fake tree is a worthy investment, however restringing lights on them are a pain in the ass!
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: V M on December 09, 2017, 06:28:38 PM
I like the fake trees least but they are convenient, I like real trees because well, they're real and are great to cut up and burn in a fireplace or be thrown on a bonfire at the beach for New Years

I like the live tree idea best though  ;D
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: Kylo on December 11, 2017, 01:38:35 PM
I'd be on board with buying a real one in a pot, dressing it up indoors for a month and then planting it outside in a garden. I know a few people with quite large and beautiful trees in their gardens now as a result of Xmas trees. I guess it can't be done every year though, unless you give it away or go out of your way to find somewhere to plant it.
Title: Re: The great debate. Real vs fake Christmas trees.
Post by: V M on December 11, 2017, 07:04:40 PM
Quote from: Viktor on December 11, 2017, 01:38:35 PM
I'd be on board with buying a real one in a pot, dressing it up indoors for a month and then planting it outside in a garden.

Yep, that's the kind I like best, planted quite a few for folks when I worked in landscaping  ;D