My wife’s family has been going to this local tree farm for 35+ years now and I’ve been a part of that for the past 10.

No matter how hard I try, she will not consider going artificial even this year should should be HUGE motivator:

The trees were always $50-75 depending on size

This year? They START at $95!

And you have to cut it

Let her do the cutting.

Christmas comes but once a year.. Start a tree fund jar and with deposits thru out the year the tree will be paid for next year..... Have used artifical trees for years... Our current tree has been standing in entrance hallway for the past 3 years without removal..(long story). ....................... drill sgt.

[jediwave]This not the issue you will get divorced over.[/jediwave]

Meh I skip the tree. The time of year is for me to remember Christ, keep him in my thoughts and prayers even more than they already are. A tree, some lights, consumer product gifts, and the fat bearded man, mean fuck all. I have never bought a tree, real, or fake, never hung lights, etc. But I have donated my time most years, volunteer work at the homeless shelter, go to Mass, etc. I’ve just turned my back on all the marketing and hoopla. I will be a 6 foot or 10 foot LED cross to stick in the front yard if I could ever find one that could be disassembled and put into a box. I’d love that. A large cross to remind folk of what the deal is really about.

My 12 pound Tomcat can strip a tree of decorations in ten minutes flat. I put up a tree one year and he had lots of fun. Now I dont bother. Saved me quite a bit of money for trees and related stuff.

We were doing the cut your own tree for the last five years. Last year was the worst tree selection with higher prices. We ended up getting a precut tree.

I kept hearing there was a tree shortage due to covid. Its amazing how trees planted 5-7 years for harvest today were affected by covid.

I've seen trees that are not cut, but are sold in a pot. You buy a tree that's about 3' tall for the season, then plant it in the spring. Some of the relatives do this, but I've got enough trees already.

We just have a tiny artificial LED tree that we surround with all the ornaments, etc, that we've inherited and otherwise acquired. Poor little guy is dwarfed by all the precious junk.

Last time I set up a tree was 2010 and it was artificial.
I set it up and my daughter and ex wife decorated it.
A few years ago and a friend bought me this plastic sheet with a Christmas tree on it that hangs in the front bay window. Turn on the lights behind it and presto, Christmas tree. That's about as far as I go anymore and $95 is ridiculous.

$95 for a tree?!?!

We went artificial years and years ago. Miss the scent of a real tree, but don't miss the hassle and the mess. And my wife is somewhat allergic to SPF pollen, anyway.

I paid 250 for a tree this year. We went to Lowe's and the selection was very sparse. We went up the road to the guy that has the seasonal lot that sells fireworks, pumpkins, Christmas Trees. Anyway, we felt lucky to even get a tree. We got a Noble Fir for 250.

Keep voting blue until we are starving.

We went artificial about 5 years ago . No regrets . Real trees are a huge fire hazard . After Christmas , drag your tree out in the back yard and put a match to it . One of the most impressive things you'll ever see .

I’ve been hearing that this drought we had in PA hurt a lot of these tree farms. It basically never rained from mid June to mid September this past summer.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
$95 for a tree?!?!

We went artificial years and years ago. Miss the scent of a real tree, but don't miss the hassle and the mess.

I don't celebrate Christmas but we get together for a Yule feast and part of the decor is greenery from evergreen bushes or trees. You could incorporate some of that into your tree to get that pine scent and hopefully not effect your wife's allergies.

We have a 8 month old kitten, so there's no way in hell that we are going to put up a Christmas tree.

quote:

Originally posted by xd45man:
I paid 250 for a tree this year. We went to Lowe's and the selection was very sparse. We went up the road to the guy that has the seasonal lot that sells fireworks, pumpkins, Christmas Trees. Anyway, we felt lucky to even get a tree. We got a Noble Fir for 250.

Keep voting blue until we are starving.

Holy crap that's unreal

I have an artificial tree, a little over 12’ tall. I saw 10’ artificial sat Costco this year that were around $1000. They’re not that inexpensive. I would have died to spend that much on a tree, but mine came with the house. We sometimes cut our own in the National Forest, with the permit costing $10. However, I spend $100 in fuel to get it.

I was going to say 95 from 50 is to be expected. But you have to cut it down yourself??? Bah humbug!

Prefontaine has it right. I’m not big on Christmas, however I respect what stands for and enjoy celebrating the holidays.