[Marilyn]

We always have a real tree. My husband has wanted an artificial one for years. He wants to decorate it and after Christmas put a big bag over it decorations & all and put it in a walk-in section of our attic until the next year. He grew up with artificial. I grew up with real.

Last year, I was finally at the point having decorated trees for so many years now, that his idea was sounding like it might just be the way to go. So we mentioned it to our daughters, and you should have heard them. It just would not the Christmas without a real tree. Our youngest was especially adamont about it, so we put up a real tree, again & will this year, I'm sure.

I have a very long funnel with a long dip stick that is hidden in the back of the tree to monitor and add water without crawling up under it (bought it at the big tent they setup to sell trees each year). I also have a recipe for a mixture of chemicals that would keep the tree alive longer, but cannot use it due to the furkids. Sometimes they get under there for a drink.

We use the cooler twinkle lights and are very careful to turn them off at bedtime and whenever we are away.