[uforacing]

Not sure why but dad always bought a flocked tree and we would get two years out of it. Later I always had a real tree until one time one of the cats launched himself from the kitchen counter at it......

So in 2001 we went looking and found a very nice fiber optic tree. Guess the light makers did not like that one because they kind of went away. I absolutely love it and everyone else does as well since we always a couple of knocks on the door the last couple of years from people wanting to know if we will sell it or where we bought it.

So we now try and take good care of the bundles. I hope to get another 6-10 years out of it.

[carbking]

I purchased our current tree in December of 1967, an artificial Scotch Pine, made in the USA from Sears. If I remember correctly, I paid about $25.00. Not counting the 2 years Uncle Sam bought us a tree (1968, and 1969), we have decorated that tree 43 years. I would say it has probably paid for itself.

Jon.

[MYGOAT]

It's a bit different Down Under. We have tree farms but you normally trundle around in a t-shirt and shorts and sweat like a pig if your cutting your own down.
Too much hard work so we go for a fake and doesn't get much simpler than this.

[Tripower455]

We always had real trees growing up.

After I got married, we got an artificial, because we would always go to our parents houses for the holiday, and didn't want to worry about the fire hazard of a real tree while we were gone.

Once we had kids, I was usually working over the Christmas holiday, and my wife and kids would be at our folks, so we continued using the artificial until I was senior enough to hold the holidays off, and we started celebrating at home.

For the last 5 years or so, we've had real trees, and they've gotten progressively more expensive (Around $100 for an 8-9 footer, which usually shrink to 6-7' when you get home) and a really lousy quality/selection. Naples must get the trees from last year or something, because they always suck. I'd come to dread shopping for trees, so this year, when my wife started bugging me about it, I suggested we use our old artificial. She balked at first, but my son and I set it up and it was such a nice change to have a full, even tree again, after 5 years of $100 trees that were one step above Charlie Brown's. I definitely miss the smell, but I don't miss the mess, hassle and expense.

[shawn e.]

We have a potted Nobel that we have used for 3 years now. I keep it on the deck and drag it in the house during the holidays. Paid 30$. When it gets too big I will plant it on my property!

Shawn

[PONTIAC-ONE]

I grew up with real trees and now my family enjoys having a real tree every year.
We also have a small artificial in the basement home theater/game room.

[Jack Peters]

Okay you need one more answer as I can't vote.
I have one real one, two fake and one part fake/part real. I threw another one away that was a stick "Charley Brown" tree.

Any help here?