Growing up we always had real trees. For several years we got the live potted trees. My dad planted one outside but it grew so high it blocked his satellite dish so they just cut it down. Now that dish doesn't even work.
When I moved in with Bruce we had live ones for a couple years. Then one year we got a gift card for Home Depot and found a tree on sale. So now it's a fake one for us and we both like it better. No needles and stringing lights and it's paid for itself a long time ago.
Last year Paizly climbed the tree several times (I believe she even broke a branch). I'm worried about this year because she is much bigger now! And Taggarts tail always creates problems. So there will be no ornaments along the bottom. I am hoping Bruce will get the Xmas things down the weekend after Thanksgiving so I can slowly start putting things up.