Real or Fake?

This year, I had to make a tough decision.

Seeing that I am STILL sweeping up pine needles in my apt from last year, and that I was never able to fully get last year's tree to stand up straight - this year, I ended up buying a fake tree.

Le sigh.  Whop whop.  I know.  What's next?  Moving to the suburbs?   I PROMISE that won't happen.

Anyhow.  The tree is beautiful.  It stands straight.  It is consistently in the same state since when I brought it home.  There are no pine needles.  I'm not worried about the lights setting it on fire. 

Pictures to come.  Santa hasn't wrapped the gifts under it yet. 

Have any of you had to make the switch from real to fake?  Was it as hard for you?  Anyone prefer real?  I will agree that real is better.  But much harder to maintain.

Dear Santa...

So 'Santa' has made multiple requests for my Christmas list.

I am struggling.  Most of the things I want cannot be found in a stocking (I know, how profound).

Anyone else find adult Christmas lists to be quite boring?  Dear Santa, I would like the Martha Stewart wire colander.  Ooh, let's throw in rolling pin while we're at it!