Artificial Christmas Trees

carnation · #1 11-27-2001, 01:53 PM

We've put this off for years because we love the smell of a real tree--but does anyone have advice on buying an really good artificial Christmas tree? (Maybe we can stick boughs of real trees around the room for the smell!)

Optimist Prime · #2 11-27-2001, 02:00 PM

We have a real tree!!! Its just made out of aluinum. Actully there is a spray you can buy that gives the scent of the real thing. But without all the allergies. Or ecological damage.

valkyrie · #3 11-27-2001, 02:04 PM

We've always had a fake tree. It's not the greatest in the world, but it does the job. I think I got it at either Frank's or Target. As far as the piney smell, candles are great.

I've always found real trees horribly depressing. The poor things are grown just to be chopped down and then discarded in sad piles on the side of the road.

I guess that's the tree hugger in me talking...

Here's a link to some of what they have at Frank's, although I don't know if you have one near you:
http://www.franks.com/weekly/products.asp?CatID=314

justamom · #4 11-27-2001, 02:20 PM

We bought an artificial one last year. I HATED to do it, but I was the one who put it up, decorated etc...I got sick of waiting for THEM to bring it home.

Unless you buy those $80.00 trees, I would wait for the sales, they will be 1/2 price.

Sears had some beauties and so did Lowes. Ours is one with lights on, I don't like it. You'll be stuck with it and if you want to change things up, it will be very difficult.

The tall ones are bigger than you think and wider as well. Double check your space. The ones that have spacing between the branches are the more realistic looking IMO and easier to decorate.

YANKEE CANDLES in pine help!

Sisterplum · #5 11-27-2001, 02:27 PM

I know this probably isn't gonna help you much, but I have the ultimate fake Christmas tree! It's the Charlie Brown tree!!! Here's a pic from last year:

I love it!!!!

GmuTeke · #6 11-27-2001, 02:37 PM

We use a fake tree in my house. It's SOO much work to hunt down a tree in the lot, select one that works for you, stap it to your roof (spilling needles), drive it home, drag it into the living room (more needles), set it up in the tree stand (needles everywhere), and watch the poor thing wither and wilt, dropping needles over the floor.

I guess the key to having a good fake tree is to put up the money to get a nice one that will last, run your hands over the "needles" of the floor model and see how durable they are. and just make sure you like the look of the tree in the store and how it will appear with all your ornaments on it.

you can also buy "christmas tree smell" in a bottle at a local drug store. personally, i've always felt it was overrated.

Dejajeva · #7 11-27-2001, 03:17 PM

We have an artifical tree...and I've never had a real one in the house. It's actually really beautiful. The cheapest ones you get the day after christmas, but that wont help you here. I'd suggest getting the nicest one you can find, and they can get pretty well made now days- they look almost real, minus the messy pine needles everwhere.

You pay a lot, perhaps, but a good tree will last you years and years. the one before the one we have this year...my mother had since she first got married...maybe before then.
So, these tree's might not be real, but I'ts gonna last you a good twenty years.

Always,
Jess
* * * * * * * * * * *

Tom Earp · #8 11-27-2001, 05:41 PM

FAKE IS GRATE!!!!!

By the time you put all of the crap on it you cannot tell the diif! Get some pine scent and put in the room!

Real is a fire hazard!

Hell, lets cut some more oxygen making machines down and have global warming of course it is going to be about 22 degrees for the High in Kansas City Wed. i took my home made chili out of the freezer, come on crackers and butter!

dzrose93 · #9 11-27-2001, 05:56 PM

Although I love real trees, they are a hassle, not to mention being pretty expensive.

I've got a small artificial tree that I love. I've had it since my senior year of college, and it's SO easy to put up and take down each year.

HeidiHo · #10 11-27-2001, 06:14 PM

My dad's a firefighter/paramedic & last year there was this great (sarcasm) video about how an entire house can be wiped out in a fire in about 45 seconds thanks to a live tree. Guess what kind of tree we got this year...fake.

I've had a real tree for the past 19 years. I don't know how I'll adjust.
Heidi

IowaHawkeye · #11 11-27-2001, 06:21 PM

my family has had a real tree for as long as i can remember... every year we go out and cut our own... of course since finals are so friggin lat this year i have to miss out

i just think real trees look and smell so much nicer - except for all those damn needles that fall, i'm always the one stuck vacuuming them up!

amycat412 · #12 11-27-2001, 06:23 PM

We have 2 trees-- A Huge (2 story tall) one for the formal living room--which has cathedral ceilings-- that one is the fake one and its a great looking tree--not too fake looking at all. I think my mom got it at Lowes.

In the family room, which is where we actually put all the presents and open all the presents we have a real tree.

Betarulz! · #13 11-27-2001, 06:49 PM

Like it is with any purchase you can pay for quality.

My parents got a fake about three years ago and absolutely love it. They were able to choose the height they wanted, and the shape that fits best in the traditional "christmas tree spot". Plus the branches are pliable so when my mom is decoratign she can move them to where she wants them. Plus with the expensive ornaments she has now amassed a live tree would be pointless as it would ruin the ornaments, tree skirt, and the ribbons she uses to decorate. Plus the house looks more like christmas earlier since she can just pull it out of the crawl space and have it all up in 2 hours rather than having to let a live tree settle and sit in water and the such.

juniorgrrl · #14 11-27-2001, 08:25 PM

We had a real tree for the whole time I was growing up. After my dad died in 94, my mom and I still continued to get a real tree. However, the whole ritual of tree shopping was just sad. A few years later we both realized that carrying on the tradition was just hurting us more than helping us, so we got a fake tree at Hobby Lobby.

When I have a family of my own, I'll have a real tree. But for mom and me, its just so much easier to have an artificial one. Two 5'3 women trying to lug an 8 foot tree into the house is not a pretty site!

Heather · #15 11-27-2001, 11:35 PM

We've had a fake tree for a few years. We used to have on that you had to attach each branch individually, and being a 7+ ft tree that took forever. My dad finally boxed that thing up and sent it to the thrift store. Now they are looking for one of those hinged ones where it is all in one piece.