Only 86 days til Christmas, it will be here before you know it.
By palonghorn
@palonghorn (5479)
United States
September 29, 2008 1:59pm CST
I'm trying to decide if I want to get a real Christmas tree this year or go with an artificial one. Normally we have a real tree, my s/o thinks it's not Christmas unless it's a real tree. But, I'm the one who makes sure it has water. And this Christmas I will be gone (he'll be home) for Christmas week, from the 23rd to the 30th. I'll be flying down to see my family for Christmas and he is unable to go with me due to work and family obligations. So I'm thinking an artificial tree would just be easier for both of us this year. For me, there would be less mess of taking down the real tree, after getting home from my trip, and he wouldn't have to mess with watering it everyday or so. I know he would do it, but it would just be less hassle. So which do you prefer, a real or artificial tree?
5 people like this
22 responses
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
30 Sep 08
I've only had one real tree my entire life. It was nice, but it was too much work. For some reason sap kept dripping from the stupid thing. Then there were the pine needles dropping, and the every day watering. For me artificial is the way to go. Besides, why rid the world of yet another tree???
2 people like this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Since I live in an area where there are Christmas tree farms everywhere, it's really not an environmental issue, since they replant them. I haven't had an artificial tree since I moved up here 3 1/2 years ago, my s/o thinks it's not Christmas without a real tree lol
1 person likes this
@madasp (563)
• United States
30 Sep 08
I prefer an artificial tree because, like you said, they are just easier. I'm excited this year because we just moved into a new house with 10 ft ceilings and a huge living room so I plan to buy at least an 8 ft tree. We used to just have a small 4 ft tree that we put on the end table because thats all we had room for. My husband has said he would like a real tree this year, but I'll try to talk him out of it because it always ends in disaster when we try to get it straight in the stand LOL.
2 people like this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
30 Sep 08
If I was not going to be gone, it would be a real tree, no question. I normally have a 6- 6 1/2 ft tree each year. And they have stands now that make it so easy to get it straight. The part that attaches to the tree actually goes into another part of the stand, then it has a foot pedal that you press until you get it straight, let off the pedal and it's locked in place. It works great, I think we bought it at Wal-Mart a couple of years ago.
1 person likes this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Hey stranger!! Sorry I haven’t been around I have a lot going on. How’s the scrap booking going??
Anyway I know Christmas is almost here! I have been shopping all year long so I’m basically done. I really just have my daughter left now. I try to always have it all done and wrapped by Thanksgiving.
So for the tree if I were you I would just put a small artificial up. I know I am going to be out of town for Christmas this year and I am only putting my very little (1 ½ feet) tree up. There is no point in putting it all up if no one is going to be there. Normally I put a real tree up. The charlie brown kind. I love picking out the medium size, branches all over the place and missing tree!
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Hiya, glad to see ya again. Wondered where you had been keeping yourself. The scrapbooking is going good, I'm working on mini-albums for Christmas presents for my family, and counting the days til the retreat! lol 20 days to go! I hope you know I'm sticking my tongue out at you LOL I never have my Christmas shopping done by Thanksgiving, let alone have it wrapped lol. I'm thinking leaning more towards the artificial, just don't know if my s/o will go for it lol, he loves real trees. And he will be here, he won't be able to go with me to Texas, hard for him in his line of work at this time of year, and it's his daughter's birthday, so she'll be here with him, at least for a day or two. Since I usually decorate the day after Thanksgiving, I'll still get to enjoy my holiday decorations, just not sure if I want to mess with having to water the tree, or leaving him reminders to do it while I'm gone lol.
1 person likes this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Ahh life has been crazy! I am officially in my waiting period for my divorce! Yes after all that we are still getting divorced. Oh well on to a better life! I am sticking my tounge at you too!! I wanna go!! Maybe next year! Christmas shopping has always been a big thing for me. I have so many people to buy for that to go out and spend all at once would kill me! I am going to FL for Christmas ((YEAH FINALLY Christmas with MY family!!!!) So I am doing the small tree. Tell your s/o that if he wants a real tree he better take care of it and NOT make a mess!!
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
30 Sep 08
That's great that you will get to have Christmas with your family. I really don't have much shopping to do, since my parents, sister, and daughter's main Christmas present is going to be ME! lol With the cost of flying down, car rental, etc. However I don't think there will be any complaints when I just show up on their doorstep the day before Christmas Eve! hehe And like I commented in another response, if I have the tree up, decorated, and lit when he walks in from work one day...........hehehe
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
30 Sep 08
I prefer an artificial tree just so that I don't have the mess that comes with a real tree. Our house seems to stay dry so the needles fall off a lot. I can hardly believe that it is only that far off. I have got to get busy with Christmas shopping so that I can be finished early. I guess I will start getting Christmas cards ready so that I can mail them early and be on top of things this year.
@mikeysmom (2088)
• United States
30 Sep 08
wow. i knew it was coming but only 86 days left to shop and get money together? it is going to be a very light christmas this year with the way money is going. i will buy for my son first to make sure he gets what he wants and after that i will see what i have left to buy for others but we are really struggling so not sure how this is going to happen.
2 people like this
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
30 Sep 08
It sounds like you are already in the Christmas spirit. I also like the holidays but it is too early for me to pull out the tree. That is if I had one yet.Lol! I usually like to buy a nice artificial one that has lights attached to it already. It may be easier as you say to go artificial. You have enough to do.
I do agree that the real trees can bring on some extra maintenance what with the mess and the water and the like. So I would have to go with an artificial tree as my choice. Take care and good luck. 
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
30 Sep 08
I am already getting in the spirit, a bit too early for me normally. But with planning to go back to Texas and see my family (haven't seen them in 2 years) I'm already getting excited lol I guess the deciding factor will be if I can talk my s/o into an artificial tree this year, of course, if I have it all ready up and decorated when he comes home from work one day.........hehehe.
1 person likes this
@musicman6 (2407)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Yes, 86 days for me is really a short time again, I am not ready! Guess I'll just have to get a running start at it again!
Yes, those artificial trees are really convenient, and they really make more sense in most cases, but one thing that I love is the smell of the real pine trees! I'll use an artificial one if I can, but if I get a chance, I'll go ahead and get a real one, just to get that smell!
pa, down here in Texas, it is finally giving us a break on the hot weather, I'm able to stand it and go outside now, especially in the late afternoon and evening it is so nice now! I think I've survived another summer! I have a new grandaughter that was born on Sept. 10, and that will keep me busy these holidays! Enjoy your trip to Texas, and take care!
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
30 Sep 08
congrats on the new granddaughter! My youngest had her baby back in Feb, it will be my first time to see her, and first time to see my daughter in 2 years.
@chengbeb (285)
• Philippines
30 Sep 08
As much as I would like to have a real tree. Unfortunately, here in the Philippines we don't have that option. We have an artifical tree which we use year after year. That is if it isn't broken yet or if it's still good to use. We put up and decorate our tree by the first week of November. Every year my family would add 1 ornament to the tree. Somehow it became a tradition.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
30 Sep 08
That's a neat tradition. I have tried to find an ornament with the year on it, for each year me and my s/o have been together, this will be our 4th Christmas together, even though we will be spend the actual holiday apart for the first time.
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
30 Sep 08
Christmas is round the corner already? I seemed like yesterday that I took down last year's Christmas tree, lights and trimmings, and packed them away. Soon I will have to take these out again. Mine's an artificial tree. It is not so practical to try and put a real tree up in the home here; besides, they are expensive because these trees are all imported. Talking about Christmas, I will have to start my Christmas shopping by October because I have more than 20 presents to buy for family and relatives. I just love the season when the shopping streets and shops are brightly lit with lovely trees, ornaments and lights. You will know what I mean if you take a look at my pictures in my profile, where I have uploaded some shots from a previous years' Christmas.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
30 Sep 08
I love shopping during the Christmas season for the same reasons. It's just so festive. I'm not that into shopping the rest of the year lol
@kylie_quistis (1220)
• Philippines
30 Sep 08
Wow, that soon, only 86 days before Christmas, the time sure flew very fast. 
Anyway, as much as I like to have a real Christmas tree, I don't think I can get one. I think here in the Philippines, there were none who will sell a real fine trees. 
Usually, we always put up an artificial Christmas tree on mid-November. I usually the one who decorate it, sometimes my mother help me. I am so excited that for about a month and a half from now, I will set up the tree and decorate it.
Anyway, as much as I like to have a real Christmas tree, I don't think I can get one. I think here in the Philippines, there were none who will sell a real fine trees. Usually, we always put up an artificial Christmas tree on mid-November. I usually the one who decorate it, sometimes my mother help me. I am so excited that for about a month and a half from now, I will set up the tree and decorate it. 1 person likes this
@baileycows (3665)
• United States
29 Sep 08
OMG I did not realize it was only 86 days till christmas and I am not even ready this year. I have only gotten like 3 gifts. I have so much to do. BTW go for the real tree we always do I love the smell and just having a real tree.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
29 Sep 08
I always love the smell too, and even more so since I was allergic to them when I was young and we couldn't have one. But, I'm just thinking of my s/o having to mess with it, and if it should snow while I'm gone, and he couldn't get home for a few days..... I'll talk it over with him lol, I know he'll want a real one without even thinking about it lol
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Wow! Only 86 days left? I am going to start freaking out now! LOL we are currently planning a Halloween party so I should have thought that Christmas is right around the corner. I have seen some Christmas decorations going into the local stores though. I love a real tree. We had an artificial one for years and then a few years back I got a real one. I would not change it now for nothing! I gave our artificial one away! Good luck with your decision!
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
30 Sep 08
I love having a real tree too, just thinking it might be easier to have an artificial one this year.
@sandymay16 (1617)
• Philippines
30 Sep 08
As much as I want a real Christmas tree, I can't. I live in a tropical country and pine trees for Christmas don't grow here. I once had a Norfolk pine tree for Christmas but it doesn't look like the usual Christmas tree. I will be using the artificial Christmas tree again which I bought 3 years ago. Past Christmases, Christmas trees comes in different sizes and materials like strings, recycles plastics, branches and twigs, etc.
@Videogeezer (654)
•
30 Sep 08
A real tree has more magic to it, if you asked em this question when I was a child I would have definitely said real. Now I am older and I don't really care too much, it is not about things, it is about people.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
29 Sep 08
while my family loves the smell of a real tree (i cant smell it due to nose issues) i do the muss and fuss of a real tree as i am the one that usually is the one that has to clean it up. plus, we are not usually home much during christmas enough to enjoy it.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63639)
• United States
30 Sep 08
I can't even stand to be with a real tree because of my allergies.
I also don't like artifical trees, or maybe I should say, the cats think any tree, even artifical ones, are too much fun.
I grew up with an artifical tree in the days before the good artifical trees, and we got it because I was so sick every Christmas.
I have to say, that clean up was always easy.
1 person likes this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
29 Sep 08
I used to always say I would never have an artificial Christmas tree. It seems like I ran out of places to put a big tree in my house now and my youngest daughter went one day to the store and come back with a smaller tree (artificial) that fits perfectly on a little table I have in the place where I used to have my real tree. I love not having to keep check of the water plus not having the mess of falling needles that stick in the carpet.
1 person likes this
@graceandowen (1637)
•
29 Sep 08
oh dont remind me lol, i have 2 young children and i have been that busy at work that i have not found the time to even think about christmas shoppin yet let alone do any, i have many friends that tell me they have completed theirs and have them all wrapped up!
as for the tree issue we are having.... none lol thats because our 2 year old son has behavioural problems and would not leave it alone at all!
so we are having deocrations on the celing and walls and thats it lol! even those are at risk with his climbing!
@IrishRose23 (542)
• United States
30 Sep 08
My whole family has allergies, so buying a real one isn't an option. However, if any one wants one, we will get it- just as long as we have allergy medicine on hand. Usually, every year we have a 7' artificial tree we put up. It's just as beautiful as a real one, and you don't have a mess to clean up.
1 person likes this
