Did You Ever Have a "Real" Christmas Tree?

[Retro4Life]

This question may be a bit front loaded for the older members, but there may be some younger ones who were lucky enough to experience it, too.

We always had a real pine tree when I was growing up, and in fact, my family got one right up until my dad passed away in 1992. After that my mom, brother and I caved in and got an artificial tree. I think we went through three of those in the next 13 years. In 2006 I was on my own, and got a small fiber optic tree.

I have some awesome memories of the real ones. I loved the smell of the pine and how Dad almost always got a really big tree that would reach almost to the ceiling. The cleanup afterwards wasn't fun, and my poor Mom unfortunately did most of that; also with a real tree there's a definite danger of fire.

I have a picture of one of our cats who climbed up into the limbs of the tree and fell asleep. That was classic. :)

[Brian Damage]

I can honestly say that I never had a real tree. While one year I would like to experience it. There is also that lurking danger that exists with having one.

[dakert]

Sure, a real tree is all fun and games until it tips over :crazy: I think real trees are more fun for small kids who dont have to put it up, take it down and pick up the pine needles.

After all these years I am a big believer in artificial trees

[Family Ties Forever!]

Yes, we had a real tree each year while growing up. It wasn't until a few years ago that my mother bought a fake tree. It's a fiberoptic tree. It's pretty. It's much better because my allergies can't handle a real tree. The real ones make my allergies so much worse. Plus the smell after you get rid of the real tree and vacuum. All the stuff in the air, omg, yuck.

[catlover79]

Nope, all we've ever had are artificial trees.

[Pitooey]

I have a real tree up right now. I'm not happy with it though because it will not stand up straight. I have to water every morning for fear of a fire. Here's a picture of it. (My little gaudy tree).

[lalauver]

we use to tag our tree the day after thanksgiving.we would go to the tree farm and drive around the hills till we found our perfect tree.[christmas tree farms is big bussiness in pa.
and VP biden's tree came from this farm this year]
then mid december we would cut it down,drill a hole in the bottom of the trunk,wrap it and bring it home. once you got it home and unwrapped you realize how small they look in the field till you get them in the house.[lucky I HAVE 9 FOOT CELING].
some years we strung popcorn,made paper chains,later years, family would come and the kids would decorate the tree and the adults would hang out in the kitchen while cookies were baking:)

[Pitooey]

we use to tag our tree the day after thanksgiving.we would go to the tree farm and drive around the hills till we found our perfect tree.[christmas tree farms is big bussiness in pa.
and VP biden's tree came from this farm this year]
then mid december we would cut it down,drill a hole in the bottom of the trunk,wrap it and bring it home. once you got it home and unwrapped you realize how small they look in the field till you get them in the house.[lucky I HAVE 9 FOOT CELING].
some years we strung popcorn,made paper chains,later years, family would come and the kids would decorate the tree and the adults would hang out in the kitchen while cookies were baking:)

Did I have to drill a hole in the bottom??? :lol: I never knew this.

[lalauver]

Did I have to drill a hole in the bottom??? :lol: I never knew this.
no ,you did not have to drill a hole but
They sold a special tree stand that had a piece in the center of the bowl that the tree then slipped onto. it would center the tree and make it sturdy but i would still tie a line around the tree.:crazy: a lot of work but it was a tradition in our family

[Janice]

We had a real Christmas tree a couple of times, early in our marriage. Nothing but a pain in the neck. We then bought an incredible fake tree that looked as real as real can be. Paid a load of $$ for it. Now, for various reasons, we have a white iridescent ceramic lighted tree. It's very beautiful and is almost three feet high. Our place is decorated so much that it works.

I grew up with fake trees. Does any of the more mature members here remember the aluminum trees that had the wheel on the side with the different colors? It would go around and make the tree various colors. It's one of my fondest childhood memories.

:tree: :tree: :tree: :tree:

[browneyes106]

My family used to get real trees until I was 15. The company my dad worked for gave out artificial trees as part of their bonus gifts programs one year and my dad brought a tree home.

[steevo]

Growing up, we used to get a real tree every year. Nowadays, since I rent a condo, I don't dare, for risk of a fire. I have lived here for nine years and have an artificial tree every year since. BTW, I keep hearing there is a spray that can simulate the smell of a real tree. Never seen it and don't know where you can buy such a spray. Then again, holiday-scented air fresheners work just as well.

[MickeyMac]

Growing up we have always had a tree, both real and fake, and my mother still makes a big deal about it.

Myself I have never had one.

[phoebe7165]

I have a real tree up right now. I'm not happy with it though because it will not stand up straight. I have to water every morning for fear of a fire. Here's a picture of it. (My little gaudy tree).

I don't think your tree is gaudy!! I love it!!

I remember having a real tree when I was a kid(I am one of the older people on here). I also remember having to make sure there was enough water in the stand!!

[MrCleveland]

We had Real Trees until 1999.

It wouldn't be until 2004 (or something) when we got a good Artificial Tree. Before that time we had ****ty Fake Trees.

Then-We would clean pine needles.

Now-We would clean tinsel icicles.

[Pitooey]

I don't think your tree is gaudy!! I love it!!

I remember having a real tree when I was a kid(I am one of the older people on here). I also remember having to make sure there was enough water in the stand!!

How sweet of you Thank you...... If you notice on the top of the tree under the angel I put the Rudolph dolly. I love dolls.

[James]

Yes, when I was growing up my parents always got a live Christmas tree. (I was born in 1972.) They don't anymore; I can't remember when it stopped--I moved out of their house in 1995, and they still got the live tree when I was living there if memory serves.

Me, I have an artificial (fake) tree. I do not see myself getting a real one, considering all the trouble involved like cleaning up the needles and watering it. Heck, my tree is only like four feet tall and goes on a table! I only need one strand of lights, a star, and a few (less than ten) ornaments. In fact I put my tree up today.

:tree:

[*Pleasant Tomorrow*]

We've had a real one every year out of my 20 years. Okay, I could be lying as a don't remember what I had when I was a baby...but as long as I can remember, they've always been real. Whenever my mom suggests a fake one I refuse. Not the same. I can deal with the mess that comes along with the Christmasy smell. And no, mom, buying the evergreen yankee candle is not the same.

[Scoobiedoo30]

Yes we had a Real Christmas Tree.