what's the best between a plastic xmas tree and a true xmas tree?

Answer 1

Real trees are the most "Christmassy". When I was a child, my father took us all out on my grandfather's farm and we hunted for the best tree. There was always deep snow on the fields, and snow often fell on us as we made our way. We carried a thermos of hot chocolate and small cakes. Sometimes we walked for miles through fields and woods. When we found our perfect tree, usually a 7' - 8' spruce pine, we'd break for cocoa and cakes. Sometimes we made a fire to warm ourselves. Then the ceremony of cutting the tree was reverantly performed by our father, and next we bundled the tree to carry back and tie on the roof of the '50 Mercury family sedan. Oh, and we also gathered holly, creeping spruce and even mistletoe on our expedition. All six of us -- Father, Mother, and we four kids -- had fragrant loads to carry back along the snowy way. We tromped along through the snow, singing carols or just enjoying the snowfall. It was always a magical winter wonderland. Back home, Father made a tree stand in his wood shop. He set up the tree, and we all spent the rest of the evening adorning the tree. Finally, when all was ready, we'd turn out the house lights, and light the tree. We'd all sit around, singing carols and munching on Christmas treats and popcorn we popped on the fire. Those family Christmases were special, and are among my most treasured memories.

I remember later, when I was grown and moved away, I returned home one year at Christmas to find that my parents had discovered the convenience of an artificial tree. They never again had a real tree, althought they still gathered fresh evergreen foliage and boughs, and always mistletoe too, so we still had the fragrance of real pine.

Over the years I've had real trees, some cut, some living which I planted in the yard after the holiday, and a couple of pretty plastic trees.

Oh, one other thing I remember from childhood. Every January, my home town would have a Christmas tree bonfire festival. Everyone brought their old trees, and at twilight, the great pile was lit.

In later years, trees were collected and either shredded for mulch or sunk in reservoirs to provide habitat for fishes.

With a background in environmental science, I can see all the problems with both real and artificial trees.

Still, there's nothing like a real tree, especially one you tromped for hours through the snow to find and bring home, and enjoy with your family.

Answer 2

This is a good question.....it depends on personal taste, and how "green" you are.

I find it sad to see so many real xmas trees lying outside people's houses after the Christmas season. It seems such a waste. I'd say, at least re-cycle them - in UK some councils do this for free.

Some plastic trees look a bit gross - on the other hand it depends on your home decor. If you have a modern house and decor, a plastic tree can actually look cool. The newer fibre optic trees are fascination to watch.

Also the plastic trees are more economical - you just bring them out year after year, and there are no pine needles to sweep up. Can be a good idea if you hate cleaning or if you have young children (especially toddlers who randomly crawl and eat everything they encounter!!)

My personal feeling is that I prefer the look and lovley fresh smell of a real tree. For me, the best solution is to grow your own xmas tree (if you have somewhere to keep it during the rest of the year)

Buy a smallish tree (well before xmas, as the prices rocket from October onwards!!) Plant it carefully in an attactive pot, with good quality compost and a little bone meal. At Christmas time, bring it indoors and decorate it. Keep looking after it with enough water and treat it with care.

After Christmas, you can enjoy the tree in the garden (or even a balcony) Make sure you keep remembering to water it. You will need to re-pot it every so often.

I guess after a few years it might grow too big - but you could trim it. It can grow quite big and still fit in most living rooms. When it really grows too massive to be practical, either give it away - maybe to a church or town hall? Or plant in your garden. Then buy a new tree and start over.

It can be a special ritual every year bringing in the family Xmas tree.

Does this sound a bit mad? I am a very keen gardener (and love Christmas)

Good luck!!

Answer 3

If you pay enough money you can buy a tree that looks like areal one, that can be split in two and folded away in its container after use and stored for next year.The benefit being, you do not have to keep picking up dead bits that fall off the tree or dispose of the tree.Lastly most christmas trees are sold with the root cut off so you can not reset it in the ground.Although the initial outlay is more,over the years it will become cheaper than paying £5 to £10 a year

Answer 4

Depends on how much clean up and attention you want to put into it. They both have pros and cons. Fake, no picking needles off the floor or watering everyday. Real, smells wonderful! You can find fake ones that look real these days and ones that come with the lights built in! Also depends on where you live, if you can go out and cut your own or have a tree farm close... do it, it's too much fun!

Answer 5

They both have their pros and cons, a real one smells nicer, and a plastic one looks more symmetrical, maybe a little too much, but tends to be stronger in that putting the baubles on doesn't tend to draw the branches down. And cheaper in the long run and make less mess, and I think you can buy pine scented spray for them too. I'd go for the fake tree.

Answer 6

Plastic trees can be used year after year, saving you hundreds of dollars. Real trees have to be disposed of every year and fill up our landfills. It is much better for our ecology not to buy disposable items.

Answer 7

False

Answer 8

Thats up to you.

Real ones smell great and look great but becareful where you buy them from because they drop needles for fun and they are in your carpet for ever!

Plastic ones are getting better in design but dont always look great, try both and see which you prefer.

Answer 9

Definetly a real one but of course they can be quite messy but they do look more classier and really add to the christmassy atmosphere.

Answer 10

depends on your perspective.

kill a tree, stick it in a corner, complain about the needles & the bugs that come in with it? You should have got a fake one...