Love the scent of "real". We waited one year for a cold day in December, which hard to come by in Houston since our winters really start around mid January. Then also hard to come by was the tree farm. Had fun with the family choosing and cutting down a tree. That was the year we found out that DD2 was allergic to pine. Poor thing suffered long after, too since those needles get into everything.
The following year I talked DH into a $149 tree claiming it will "last forever". That was a LOT of money back then! It still is but not compared to some of the tree prices now. It didn't last forever of course but I had a hard time replacing it because DH remembered the "lasts for ever" part! Finally replaced it 3 years ago with a 7ft slim-design tree BB&Beyond pre-lit with some little pine cones and bits of plastic snow on it. It fits nicely into a corner and needs less ornaments. I like it. I make up for the scent with a Bath and Body Works candle in "Balsam". I burn 2 of the large size each season! They run BOGO specials in early December and I stock up for the holidays. Smells almost better than a tree! Often I burn a Cinnamon candle along with it.
Now DD2 is all grown up, she has become even more allergic to her old home: the dogs, the birds, the dust
. No matter what I've done right down to removing the carpet, changing/cleaning the air filters, and mopping before she arrives for a visit back home she still is affected. Poor thing!
