Since our first Christmas in 1986, my husband and I always got a real tree-lot tree. Most were decent, some were "meh", depending on the year. In 2004 we discovered Noble firs, which hold the heavier ornaments more nicely. We found a tree lot run by a couple who owned a tree farm in up Oregon (we're in Southern California). They brought their trees down Thanksgiving weekend, followed by a second load a few weeks before Christmas, which was when we always bought our tree. They got to know us and our preferences, so there would be 2 to 3 trees tagged for us to choose from in this second load. Their trees were always cut within a few days of leaving Oregon, so they were very fresh. They were still fresh when we put them out for the community recycling truck after New Year's. It was so sad. The couple retired and we were forced to go back to the other tree lots. We were spoiled by having near perfect reasonably priced Christmas trees and were shocked at the price and poor quality at the other tree lots. So 5 years ago, we ended up buying a very nice artificial tree that looks very real until you get close and touch it. We always said we would never have an artificial tree, but never say never, right?! We found some pine scented sticks that we hang inside of it, so we still have a bit of pine smell. I still miss having a real tree, except for the needle mess!
Since our first Christmas in 1986, my husband and I always got a real tree-lot tree. Most were decent, some were "meh", depending on the year. In 2004 we discovered Noble firs, which hold the heavier ornaments more nicely. We found a tree lot run by a couple who owned a tree farm in up Oregon (we're in Southern California). They brought their trees down Thanksgiving weekend, followed by a second load a few weeks before Christmas, which was when we always bought our tree. They got to know us and our preferences, so there would be 2 to 3 trees tagged for us to choose from in this second load. Their trees were always cut within a few days of leaving Oregon, so they were very fresh. They were still fresh when we put them out for the community recycling truck after New Year's. It was so sad. The couple retired and we were forced to go back to the other tree lots. We were spoiled by having near perfect reasonably priced Christmas trees and were shocked at the price and poor quality at the other tree lots. So 5 years ago, we ended up buying a very nice artificial tree that looks very real until you get close and touch it. We always said we would never have an artificial tree, but never say never, right?! We found some pine scented sticks that we hang inside of it, so we still have a bit of pine smell. I still miss having a real tree, except for the needle mess!