We bought an artificial tree about 10 years ago, love a real tree but I was so sick of arguing over what tree to buy, he wanted an 8 foot, very wide one,
I wanted a perfect 7 foot one,
and freezing to death trying to find a decent one, then there was the mess.
We checked out the artificial and found the perfect one at Art Knapp's Garden center, I think it cost about $400., best money we ever spent. I do miss the lovely scent of a real tree.