Do you prefer a real Christmas tree or an artificial one?

No particular preference, though I've really only ever had a fake one (growing up and now with my wife). The decision to get a fake tree was not really up to me. My parents had gotten it (don't know why). My wife doesn't like killing a tree, so we got a fake one (which I was fine with). Getting a tree was a pretty random thing for us to do in general. We really just like the blinky lights and absurd ornaments. Putting it up is just something to do.

Artificial. The real trees are growing outside alive making the planet a better world to live in.

I'm Jewish, so I prefer a menorah.

Real, although increasingly, I can see the appeal of the fake ones. They make some pretty nice ones now, and not having to deal with the tree drying out and the needles falling off would be nice. I have nowhere to store a fake tree currently, though.

Bah, humbug. I do not use trees for this purpose. Especially I would not buy a real one if I did. I hate the sight of poor, dead trees lying neglected and unwanted on sidewalks after the holidays. People just dump them outdoors. I do not know if they get picked up by a recycling company or not but would hope so. I don't decorate at all. I get small inexpensive gifts (all I can afford) and send out a few nonreligious cards to people but that's it. This holiday is too commercial and I resent all the pressure to buy, buy, buy, especially since I'm broke, broke, broke. And yes, I do realize, trees are grown for this purpose but still don't care for the idea. All those needles falling all over and faulty electrical hookups that could present fire hazards are another reason not to have a real tree indoors. If you have a yard with a suitable tree already growing and want to decorate, then do that, and take the decorations off when the holiday is over...

Real one, I guess. On the other hand, I dislike the idea of people cutting trees down.

But whatever, I don't do either.

Haven't had a 'real' tree for over 50 years now. Currently we never put up a tree because the cats would destroy it and smash all the decorations.

We really just like the
> blinky lights and absurd ornaments. Putting it
> up is just something to do.

I don't have any 'fun' anymore in putting up decorations. It's like you say - something you do/feel obligated to do. I enjoy looking at the lights and stuff when the job is done but I dog and curse the whole time doing it. At least I don't have to suffer with cold and snow doing the outside like you guys do.

I prefer real, I love the smell. No artificial scent seems to match it But we use a fake one that I hate but I manage to make pretty every year. Ya gotta do what you gotta do.

I would love to get a potted tree, then plant it outside in the spring. Too expensive though. I would never take one (steal) that would bring bad carma into my house. I sure don't need that.

Here, in New England....a real one, of course...regardless of the cost. It just feels right having a real one in the cold/snow weather, but when I was in Southern California...a decorative artificial tree did the trick, some token tree as it never seemed like Christmas there to begin with. Most Christmas holidays, I was not in Southern California for that very reason.

I basically enjoy the whole thing, though only a little. It's nice to have something to do sometimes.
Cold and snow are enjoyable too...

Real, to the point that I would rather have no tree than an artificial tree. It has to smell of Christmas!

Artificial. Don't want to waste a perfectly good tree.

> I basically enjoy the whole thing, though only
> a little. It's nice to have something to do sometimes.
> Cold and snow are enjoyable too...

Okay, you enjoy it, but only a little...... I enjoy looking at it when done. Around here you can hire Christmas light people to do it for you so you can skip the work.

It would be nice to have NOTHING to do sometimes except sit there in front of the tube all day.

Snow is fun, cold isn't. I miss snow. Sometimes on a clear day in winter I can see snow on top of the Sierras wayyy off in the East.

Artificial. It's odd enough having a tree *inside* the house without it being a real one that is slowly dying and shedding it's needles all over your floor. Our tree is in a box on top of our wardrobe along with the other box full of decorations.

cold makes warm more enjoyable... can one truly enjoy a fireplace without it being cold outside?

Yes

Allergic to real pine trees. Why kill a perfectly good tree.

> cold makes warm more enjoyable... can one truly
> enjoy a fireplace without it being cold outside?

My wife believes fireplaces are evil. She goes crazy in the winter if any of the neighbors has a fire burning. Of course with her athsma I can understand that. And the central valley here in the winter has the worst air quality in the nation. All because of fireplaces.

I'm not a Christian.

I like the real ones myself. They make the house smell like Christmas.

> I'm not a Christian.


Neither am I. But I still like the atmosphere of Christmas. And the smell of Christmas in the house.

Bah humbug.. I loathe christmas and everything about it. All that fake good will crap makes me want to barf. I do want a Halloween tree though. A nice black tree with all sorts of halloween type ornaments would be awesome.

Well, considering, being the Druid I am, that the Xmas tree was originally a pagan thing and was suppose to be a live one in the middle of the village where people put gifts and money under it and at night the needy would go and take just enough for themselves in a very honorable way because maybe they were having a hard time feeding the kids or whatever and if someone cut that tree down I would be pretty pissola. So would the village. It is suppose to be the Tree of Life and somehow it became a mass marketing scheme. It isn't even related in anyway to Christ. Not one bit. Now if there were some kids involved and they wanted one I would get a little live one then afterwards plant it somewhere where it would be free in the wilderness. :o) Slainte!!!

I just go along with it now that I'm cohabiting with a lapsed Catholic. She knows I'm not even remotely enthusiastic about dragging trees into the house. I try to be a good sport about it.

Real.