Did You Ever Have a "Real" Christmas Tree? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Retro4Life · 12-12-2009, 10:21 PM

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 · 12-12-2009, 11:25 PM

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 · 12-12-2009, 11:37 PM

Sure, a real tree is all fun and games until it tips over

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! · 12-12-2009, 11:45 PM

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 · 12-13-2009, 01:41 AM

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

Pitooey · 12-13-2009, 02:24 AM

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 · 12-13-2009, 08:19 AM

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 · 12-13-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

Did I have to drill a hole in the bottom???

I never knew this.

lalauver · 12-13-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitooey

Did I have to drill a hole in the bottom???

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.

a lot of work but it was a tradition in our family

Janice · 12-13-2009, 02:25 PM

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.

browneyes106 · 12-13-2009, 03:12 PM

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 · 12-13-2009, 03:13 PM

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 · 12-13-2009, 04:34 PM

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 · 12-13-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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).

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 · 12-13-2009, 09:25 PM

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.

12-12-2009, 10:21 PM	#1
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Did You Ever Have a "Real" Christmas Tree? 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.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

12-12-2009, 11:25 PM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	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.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

12-12-2009, 11:45 PM	#4
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Star Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,216	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.
	__________________ Jenny

12-13-2009, 01:41 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,396	Nope, all we've ever had are artificial trees.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

12-13-2009, 02:24 AM	#6
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	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). Attached Images
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

12-12-2009, 11:37 PM	#3
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	Sure, a real tree is all fun and games until it tips over 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

12-13-2009, 08:19 AM	#7
lalauver Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 15, 2004 Location: pa Posts: 100	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
	__________________ _____________________________________________ coach Morris Buttermaker: you didn't come into this life just to sit on a dugout bench did ya? Now get your ass out there and do the best that you can! BAD NEWS BEARS [1976] Last edited by lalauver; 12-13-2009 at 08:39 AM.

12-13-2009, 02:25 PM	#10
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	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.

12-13-2009, 03:12 PM	#11
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	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.

12-13-2009, 03:13 PM	#12
steevo It is Green Senior Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,476	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.
	__________________ "God be gracious to us and bless us..." Psalm 67:1

12-13-2009, 04:34 PM	#13
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	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.

12-13-2009, 09:25 PM	#15
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,241	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.
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)