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