Brent Toderian
POLL: It’s December, so IT’S TIME for the controversial annual #Christmas debate — what’s better, “real” or “artificial” Christmas trees? Explain your vote & perhaps how the type of home you live in (ie apartment) affects your answer. If you choose the “creative alternative” option, include a pic (ie I love the “tree of books”). #Christmas #tree
Live (“real”) Tree
32.1%
“Artificial” Tree
30.1%
Creative Alternative (what?)
11.4%
We don’t do trees, thanks.
26.4%
Poll ended at .
Dec 2, 2022 at 5:14amWeb
Show threadDr. Fred Calef IIIDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian artificial as it’s been reused over and over. A kind of steady-state holiday.
Show threadHanTre9Dec 2, 2022
@mapperwocky @BrentToderian
it can be reused over and over again, yet it is always new and always looks different
Show threadGina J.Dec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian No tree because of living in a small house. We don't have room for one. However, I am working on a nice #Festivus pole for the front patio.
Show threadspringliteDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian We bought an artificial tree 20 years ago. So re-use and economy are it's great virtues.
Show threadLoukas (They/Them) 🏳️‍⚧️Dec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian this year I just want something the cats won't tear down. Any suggestions welcome:)
Show threadMichiGANGSTERDec 2, 2022

@Loukas @BrentToderian The struggle is real! We have 3 cats...one is a complete jerk about trees (the first year we had a $$ 7.5' pre-lit LED she chewed the lights and ruined it).

We have a triangular coffee table that lives in a corner. For the holidays we have 3 small pre-lit trees of varying heights with different decorative themes on the table. The cats almost entirely ignore them, that way. Because they're small they're easy to set-up and to store in the basement.

Show threadmadhadronDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian We live in a place where evergreen forests are most of the landscape, so we get a few big, fallen branches and tie them together, and decorate those.
Show threadadriftDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian we did live trees for years, then several of an authentic-looking artificial tree. then we moved halfway around the world and last year i was exhausted so we did this. (photo taken just now. i never got around to taking it down. the kids will add new decorations this month.)
Show threadDr. Jacob WhiteDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian Charlie Brown tree from recycled scrap materials all the way 💯
Show threadDan WalkerDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian artificial tree here. The cats take too much of a liking to the real ones!
Show threadKimVDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian Used to have a great looking artificial tree I’d scored at a charity shop for a fiver. Years later there were concerns about tiny bits of plastic shedding off trees, so I switched to real. It smells nicer anyway.
Show threadgarlandDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian I live in an apartment. I like to make a “tree” out of string lights in my window. I even hang ornaments on the “tree”!
Show threadplinyDec 2, 2022
@garland @BrentToderian I love that!!! 🎄 So clever.
Show threadAquila1nz Dec 2, 2022
@garland @BrentToderian The year we were renovating my mother spray painted a tree onto a wall that was being replaced soon, and we pinned ornaments and tinsel on it.
Show threadPegCityNerd Dec 2, 2022
@garland @BrentToderian That is awesome! The way the lights are randomly placed within give an illusion of depth too!
Show thread@energiepiratDec 2, 2022
@garland @BrentToderian That is nice.
Show thread@energiepiratDec 2, 2022
@garland @BrentToderian That's what I found in an old, abandoned apartment I was contracted to clean up.
Show threadToddDec 2, 2022
@garland @BrentToderian nice
Show threadJanet GreavesDec 2, 2022
@garland @BrentToderian that is beautiful!
Show threadDaarbedaarDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian
Show threadDon't Be TrafficDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian
Show threadPhil KulakDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian I live in the PNW, so it would be silly to use a fake tree. But if I lived elsewhere, I probably would.
Show thread🚲Dec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian Real tree BUT one of the very first things I did once we moved to a place of our own was plant Christmas trees in the yard. Hoping in a few years we can just start harvesting from our own yard.
Show threadEmanuel Borsboom ​Dec 2, 2022
@dx @BrentToderian We harvest trees from our yard too, but the big problem is then you can't join in on #TreeByBike.
Show threadLunaDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian I like real trees. Nice smell, no plastic, sustainable, compostable.
Show threadvandenberglegsDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian we've been using the same artificial tree for ten years. Small townhouse, kids, dog to consider.
Show threadRonanDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian real, for the smell. I also don't like the idea of so much plastic in the artificial, although tree farming is awful for the land
Show threadJimi LendDec 2, 2022

@BrentToderian

Living! but in a pot with soil!

Show threadChloeDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian We have a one bedroom flat, so this artificial tree with an impressively small footprint is all that will fit!
Show threadbookishDec 3, 2022
@sarahjanesmith please share a picture of the cat whose portrait hangs on your wall
Show threadChloeDec 3, 2022
@bookish He is the dearly departed Beardsley.
Show threadbookishDec 3, 2022
@sarahjanesmith a lovely house panther
Show threadChloeDec 3, 2022
@bookish And a real character!
Show threadDave ArquatiDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian we rent our tree - they are grown in pots, company here in London looks after them on a farm during the year and delivers them Dec, collects in Jan. You can get the same one each year and name it. Ours is called Firmione Granger
Show threadtiina sarlin 🐘Dec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian
I will probably wrap the magnolia outside the kitchen window in electric lights. No pics bcs still just a plan.
Show threadDas_E_Dec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian No tree, but a decorated wreath right now and maybe some branches with ornaments in a vase shortly before Christmas
Show threadLucilla PiccariDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian Artificial = reusable for many many years 😊
Also anchored at the base with heavy anatomy and physiology books from the uni days as an anti-cat and anti-dog sabotage measure, and each decoration is secured to the branches with metal wire 🙄😂
Show threadTrassliga havsnöret Tomas ✅Dec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian
We have had real trees before but as kids arrive and the sustainability thought linger were looking to make something, maybe a home made felt-tree that can be rolled up for storage.
Show threadLiamMDec 2, 2022

@BrentToderian We used to do artificial, but COVID and lockdown meant more time at home over Christmas, so went to real and have stuck since.

It'll be first time collecting it by bakfiets this time, and I'll admit that excites me.

I also draw a tree on a Post-It note in work and stick it to my monitor, to just add to the spirit! 😁

Show threadMatt BoulangerDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian Real tree harvested from a nearby farm where the $ for it goes to keep a bit of working landscape going in the town I work for.
Show threadintagvalleyDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian I feel the answer would be different for different locations but for us in the boreal forest, we going into the bush and chop down a tree and then put it back to decompose after we're done.
Show threadPegCityNerd Dec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian I don't enjoy the hassle of a real tree. I've always had an artificial one. 🎄
Show threadTabinol (Misha)Dec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian Artificial for me... But it should be a quality tree and we have to keep it for many years. If it's broken, we need to repair it.
Show threadShawn NelsonDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian In a strange way Artificial is more environmentally friendly. Leave the oxygen and carbon sequesters alone.
Show threadbookishDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian small artificial tree that sits on a table in the window, but can be conveniently boxed up in the back of the closet the rest of the year.
Show threadTuomas Palonen 🌻Dec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian I don't personally have Christmas tree, but two alternatives come to mind: Decorating a living tree outside if you happen to have a yard with suitable tree (this limits the decorating options though) or then "renting" a living tree that will be planted after the holiday season.
Show threadTommiDec 2, 2022
@palonen_t @BrentToderian Gonna go with option Z: live tree that city will burn for district heating in January 🤠
Show threadArctic (back up - see pinned)Dec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian ok so I am torn
I get how artificial trees are more sustainable but I love the smell of actual trees
Show threadNicolas PettiauxDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian i build a Christmas pseudo tree by piling books. I'll post a picture when done. It will have lights like the others, some smell, be colorfull and is 100% recycled and different every year
Show threadKathrynofOregonDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian
Show threadNathan SmithDec 2, 2022

@BrentToderian

Artificial for our family. I have weird plant allergies.

We got a real pine a few years ago. I thought I was legit sick for an entire month. After we took the tree down, I felt fine.

My guess is that I probably have some undiagnosed pine allergy.

🎄🤷

Show threadExtra SuperDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian We scavenged an artificial tree from the curb that someone was getting rid of. Prior to that, we were creative—we decorated a potted lemon tree or fig tree, we decorated a ladder, we decorated a scavenged wind blown branch. I’m not a big fan of cut trees or new from the box artificial trees. I’m a fan of making do.
Show threadgeobeck 🏳️‍🌈Dec 2, 2022

@BrentToderian I wrote a safety article about this years ago. Short version: A real tree is safe if you keep it well-watered. Artificial is usually fire-retardant, but if it burns the fumes could be more harmful. If you still have 30-year-old lights, ditch them for LEDs.

If you have a cat, consider a barbed-wire fence.

Show threadJoão Craveiro (“Cravvie”)Dec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian artificial. Ours is approximately 25 years old at this point, so hurray for reusing!
Show threadStillKindaHopingDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian
Bought our artificial tree from Sears in 2000 and it's still looking good and adding to the season. Did the chopping adventures with the kids before that.
@BrentToderian
Show threaddynamicDec 2, 2022

@BrentToderian

We use an actual live tree, in a pot.

We've used the same potted Alberta spruce for the past 3 Christmases (this year will be its 4th Christmas with us). It comes in on Christmas Eve and goes back outside the day after Christmas.

Here it is in 2021:

Show threaddynamicDec 2, 2022

@BrentToderian

Correction: this will evidently be its fifth Christmas with us!

Time flies.

Show threadMichael OlsenDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian My partner and I have settled on an truce of one year real tree (the smell and the character), one year artificial (no clean up!)
Show threadUlrich KiermayrDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian Cats and Christmas trees are incompatible.
Show threadDe PatrijsvogelDec 2, 2022
@BrentToderian I have an artificial one that's already being used for 11 years and counting. Artificial, I'd say.