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 Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
   
Location: Bandera, TX | We take it a step further at my parents' hous: Real tree with REAL candles.
You have to be smart about where to put the candles, keep an eye on it, and of course keep all pets away from it. My mom is very experienced at that. I'm always worried that the house will catch on fire.... However, for me this is what Christmas is supposed to be like - been like that for the past 42 years.... hopefully many more. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | We go with a real tree. I'm firmly in the GO Real or Go without camp! But...I'm also kinda into saving cash...so...we generally cut our own...and it's actually a cedar tree! No allergies here so it works great for us. Smells wonderful and needles stay ON. They last a very long time despite the wood stove across the room.
So for us Free and Real is the way to go. |
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 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| We cut our own and make memories doing it. We spend an entire day in the woods, find that perfect tree, play in the snow, have a campfire, eat chili and hot dogs, hot chocolate (and if you are over 21 - some Peppermint schnapps can be added) and have a grand ole time with whoever cares to join us. We usually have no less than 10 -15 people along. Makes for a fun, fun day. I personally LOVE a noble fir - they are my favorite - because they usually have even branches with room for ornaments to hang between limbs. Sadly since I moved to where I am now the closest I can come is a sub alpine fir. But I have cut my share of Douglas fir and grand fir over the years. But no spruce - too prickly! We want to see pictures when you have it up and decorated! |
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 Toy Story Fanatic
Posts: 4148
Location: Oregon | Always have a fresh tree. I put it up 10-14 days before Christmas and take it down New Years Day. My house is normally about 80 degrees...well used to be till my Grandma passed recently. But then I live in Clackamas County-there are tree farms EVERYWHERE!
http://www.sunset.com/travel/northwest/oregon-the-christmas-tree-capital |
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
Location: In The Land of Cotton | My father was a produce man all his life. He always told me that if I ever got a fake tree he would come back and haunt me. I always get a real tree.
We used to get them about 2 weeks out from Christmas. Now I get one the Thanksgiving weekend and enjoy it longer. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | We used to always get a real tree when I was a kid... we have a fake one, I love being able to get it out whenever I want and reusing the same one. The real trees to me were a pain, had to go out in the cold and cutting down one tree per year seems wastful to me and the darn needles and water used to get everywhere. Call me a grinch but I just don't see the point... I could see the exciting side of having a REAL tree and the good smell being a draw though....not for me. |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | lexyy12 - 2014-11-16 9:48 AM
I saw a tree at a store a few weeks ago that I actually liked. It looked REAL! But it was very expensive. My mom and dad went there last night and it was on sale so they bought it for us. I can't wait to put it up!!
Check craiglist and facebook County/City for sale sites! People are selling fake trees ALL over and go for about $20-$50 and can use every year. |
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| I curse my friend who introduced me to the Frasier Fir. The smell is intoxicating and addictive and they tend to be more expensive. I have been lucky and less picky about size and structure and been able to but one late in the season for under $20. I tell myself not to bother with a tree until I smell a FF. If I made a perfume it would have the FFir as a base note!
As far as when to buy, keeping it from drying out, I have heard both ways. GO out and cut fresh, but then we've hauled Christmas trees and they say that if they are not cut before it gets cold, they will dry out faster. I do keep a cool mist humidifier going all winter long to keep the air from getting too dry. It cuts down on dry mucus membranes (dry ones help cold proliferate), static shock and the Christmas from drying out faster. Also you can try adding some clear soda/pop to the water. It is supposed to help cut flowers last longer so why not Christmas trees? |
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