Christmas trees

[Maz]

It'll soon be time for Christmas trees again. I'm just curious what people do For the last few years I've nearly bought an artificial pre-lit tree, and twice actually sent for one and then sent it back again. We've always had a real tree - at least for the past 9 years. Before that we had a really small room and had a little artificial 2 foot one that was really tiny! Still have it but it's pain to put the lights on. But this year both OH and I have had the odd health thing and creaks and so on and I thought maybe it really is time for a small artificial pre-lit tree. Just take it out of the box, switch it on and put some baubles on. I actually sent for one in a pot and was not happy to find how heavy it was to lift up! The pot weight mainly. That wasn't the idea. So now thinking again. And then getting pangs - but it's not soft and it doesn't need water. But then it's such a palaver trying to get a real one in the house. We've had a 4 foot potted real tree last few years - then it goes outside and comes in again the next year. By the third year it's a bit ropey. Not that big but it's great as no needles drop at all because it's potted and rooted and just needs watering. But really heavy to lift into the house with all that soil in the bucket! And then the faff of trying to get the lights on once it's on the table.

So I really do want a small pre-lit christmas tree - but not if it's too heavy for me to pick up on my own! Except that I know it's not a real tree and it doesn't feel like a real tree And then I thought - well what's the point in having a tree at all if it's not real. It's just ritual then. But I suppose it's just ritual anyway. But it's a bit too easy to put it up early. But then it needs storing somewhere and taking up and downstairs each year.

I'm sure once we got used to an artificial tree every year it would feel normal to just get it out and put it up instantly each year. But I'm struggling to let go of the idea of having a real tree! Now what I liked about the tiny artificial 2 foot tree was - it didn't try to look like a real tree - it was soft instead of prickly realistic needles. Most of the artificial ones now try and look like real trees. If it's not real I don't want it to try and look real! Anyway I'll stop meandering now!

Answers on a postcard below!

 

[Lovelyness]

I don't ever remember my family having a real christmas tree I do remember a gold tinsel tree back in the 1970's I hae an artificial tree every year, and it looks lovely! Its 4 or 5 foot...cant remember! It is a bit of a faff getting the lights on, but its worth it if you leave it up for a while! And who cares if you put it up early??!!?
You could always go somewhere like a garden centre as they usually have big christmas displays and see what the trees look like and how heavy they are. Thats what I did with my last one

 

[Lovelyness]

I can't decide which decorations to go with this year...natural, or pink and sparkly

 

[Lovelyness]

I meant to say too, that my parents leave their small artificial tree fully decorated now, and put it away fully decorated, so all they have to do is get it out the garage. You have me wndering now, whether I'd prefer a smaller tree this year

 

[Lovelyness]

Dunelm have this 3ft artificial tree which looks more like a real tree. I'm quite tempted to get one

 

[Socks' Mum]

Cut two branches off the real tree and pot them in Coco coir? Or is that cheating?

 

[Lovelyness]

View attachment 11499
Dunelm have this 3ft artificial tree which looks more like a real tree. I'm quite tempted to get one

So, I’ve bought this tree I realised my other one was 5 ft and last year, it felt like quite an effort to decorate it…so I’ve downsized

 

[Socks' Mum]

It's very nice

 

[Maz]

Thank you for all those amazing responses! I think I'm just going through a change/grieving thing and having a battle with myself! I love the idea of some cuttings from the old one (it's outside in the garden and too ropey for indoors this year! It's done two years indoors and is now relegated to being an outdoor tree. And we still have the previous one outdoors from four years ago which is very bare but still alive!

We used to have a tiny artificial tree before we moved here - it was less than 2 feet! Due to lack of space. And I loved that. I think because it didn't try to look like a real tree. These days they all seem to look realistic and that kind of disappointed me because it LOOKED real but didn't FEEL real lol. If it's not real I don't want it to look to real (awkward I know lol).

For the last 9 years and since living here we've always had a real tree and the last 4 or 5 years it's been a potted one - which is a huge hassle the first year as it's so messy when it arrives and hassle to get indoors. The second year it's cleaned up and potted already so it's just the weight and hassle getting it indoors. Gradually got smaller each year so it has been maximum 4 foot the last few years.

Yours looks lovely Lovelyness I've seen lots of lovely looking artificial trees - I'm just at a crossroads!

So I'm just trying to let go of the idea really. Not quite ready to go back to the tiny artificial tree while stepson lives with us.

And I just thought - if going artificial I want something pre-lit and no hassle with the lights. I maybe need to sleep on it for a few days!

I don't like the idea of having to find somewhere to store an artificial tree every year. There are pros and cons. I was being all practical and then my feelings kicked in Once it's up and in the house I love watering it and the feel of the branches.

I even thought about having a small potted second tree but nowhere to put a second tree really. We only have space and surfaces for one small tree.

But I do like the idea of the cuttings! Would that actually grow into a new tree?

Of course the idea of a potted tree in the first place, about 5 years ago, was we would never buy another one! You can plant it in the garden or repot it in a bigger pot each year - but of course we never got round to that as it was work! So it would be fine for the second year and then after that it would be pretty bare but with bits of new growth as well which looked very odd

That Dunelm three foot one looks great - and I would happily get a 3 foot one - OH thinks the four foot is a bit small though so decided to stick with four foot as a compromise. Whatever the solution ends up being, and I would have to accept it's not light either way. The ones without a pot have a kind of four legged stand but that wouldn't fit on our tree table.

So I'm swinging between the hassle of a heavy real one being brought in and cleaned up and the hassle of having to find somewhere to store an artificial one!

 

[Socks' Mum]

Sorry to hear you are going through a difficult patch Thinking of you. I hope things get better soon. Christmas trees are quite magical. The cut branches from a pine wouldn't grow roots unfortunately, but should stay fresh for a while in moist substrate like coco coir. The artificial tree is very nice though. Hmm, complicated

 

[Rescued One]

Here in the US we have a "slender" tree option which are tall but not very big around. Mine tucks in a corner behind a couple of potted plants when not in its place of honor and blends in. I have also taken to making it a seasonal tree - eggs at Easter, red/white/blue stars for summer, etc. Would recommend a pre-lit. If you miss the live tree smell, a small live wreath can be placed on the table with a candle as a centerpiece, and presto! the place smells like Christmas

 

[Tulsi]

I decided last year to go for a green artificial tree. Had a white one for a few years before that.

Rather liked having a dark green tree with colourful lights instead of the usual white one with white lights and wooden decorations.

Hope you find a happy compromise for your tree.

 

[Tulsi]

My mother used to trim beech tree branches and hang them kind of behind pictures and put decorations on them (tiny ones). They looked really good.

I like rescued ones idea of a live wreath as a centre piece.

 

[Maz]

So do I it sounds lovely. We do have real holly scattered about on top of pelmets and pictures etc as we’re lucky enough to have Holly growing wild nearby.

It isn’t really the smell - in fact I usually find the don’t have any scent anyway! It’s just a feeling I guess.

I am very tempted with that 3 foot dunelm one as well! Even if it isn’t pre-lit. There are so many it’s a minefield and unfortunately we don’t have a garden centre within 60 miles - there used to be one but it closed down. The supermarket has some but only 6 footers. So looking online is a bit of a minefield.

 

[Maz]

Here in the US we have a "slender" tree option which are tall but not very big around. Mine tucks in a corner behind a couple of potted plants when not in its place of honor and blends in. I have also taken to making it a seasonal tree - eggs at Easter, red/white/blue stars for summer, etc. Would recommend a pre-lit. If you miss the live tree smell, a small live wreath can be placed on the table with a candle as a centerpiece, and presto! the place smells like Christmas

That sounds very nice . It’s what you get used to isn’t it? We actually used to have a big tree until we ended up with two hamster cages in the living room

So have been downsizing the tree still then - decisions. It feels like the point of is it time to start a new tradition or not.

 

[Lovelyness]

I’m glad you started this conversation @Maz as I doubt I would have thought about it. But I realised that, for me, it is very much time to start new traditions. I bought a preloved olive wood nativity set ready for advent for exactly that reason, and when I thought of putting my old tree up, I realised I didn’t want it anymore really. I’m looking forward to starting something new. But I know what you mean…it can be tricky to let go of past memories. Change is always quite tricky, even when it’s a positive change. The new tree will arrive next week, so I can let you know what it’s like…you never quite know online, so I’m hoping it’s a nice one

 

[Socks' Mum]

Here in the US we have a "slender" tree option which are tall but not very big around. Mine tucks in a corner behind a couple of potted plants when not in its place of honor and blends in. I have also taken to making it a seasonal tree - eggs at Easter, red/white/blue stars for summer, etc. Would recommend a pre-lit. If you miss the live tree smell, a small live wreath can be placed on the table with a candle as a centerpiece, and presto! the place smells like Christmas

Brilliant

 

[Maz]

Ok decision made. Not quite ready to change yet So the artificial one is going back and I've ordered the same one we've had before - which should last us the next 2 to 3 years. Despite the hassle getting it in and out of the house! Once it's up I'll be happy. Things may be different in two or three years time ..... We have a strong teenager in the house so should be ok!

It means it won't be going up until about the second week in December ............

 

[Socks' Mum]

Oh, excellent. The scent is lovely. Glad you are getting a new tree ❤

 

[Maz]

The ones we get tend not to have any scent really - not that I've noticed anyway! Maybe different types vary. It's the feel of it I like and watering it etc. I guess whether real or artificial there's this need to have the same tree every year for familiarity! Until I'm ready to change things a bit

Although it means buying a new tree, it lasts 2 to 3 years so that cost is at least halved that way - and we only get a small one And we don't go big on anything else for Christmas