Fake Christmas Tree VS Real One
newtexasmom
Hi Everyone,Happy ThanksGiving and Happy Holidays!There has been lot of talk going on going green and so putting Plastic Christmas Trees instead of the real ones.I read that Plastic Trees shed a dry dust which contains sufficient amount of LED which could be dangerous for children.And given the fact that I have 2 smaller kids, I am now getting little uncomfortable using my Plastic Tree which I did put up for the last 3 years.Any suggestions? Ideas?Thanks
catwoman708
Usually it's a matter of personal preference of real vs. fake, and what the tradition is in your family. Each has it's own list of pros and cons as to aesthetics and safety. Safety should always come first. We have almost always used artificial trees. The kind with the metal or hard plastic pole, "branches" of twisted wire with artificial pine boughs/needles. Most of the structure is metal except for the actual artificial needles. Any brain damage we have suffered is due to too much TV or freak accidents, not lead poisoning, LOL. My DH's family always had real trees, mine always had artificial. One year DH insisted on a real tree, went out in all his manly glory, killed a tree and returned home with his trophy. We decorated it in fine fashion, then we all immediately came down sick, with wheezing, running eyes and nose, coughing, etc.... Turns out we were all allergic to the tree, especially DH, (it was cedar, the worst for allergies), and in the small enclosed space of the living room, it was just intolerable! We moved the tree, decorations and all to the front porch, placed a few wrapped, empty boxes around it, and ran an extension cord for the lights. It was very pretty, livened up the porch, and we got quite a few compliments on it. We aired out the house and put up a small artificial tree inside. Lesson learned.If I recall, don't you have small children that have allergies or asthma? If so, and you have a real tree, do some research before exposing your children to possible allergens that would trigger an asthma attack. I haven't heard of any problems with plastic trees, but as much plastics, chemicals, and potential hazards we are exposed to on a daily basis, I would think artificial trees are pretty low on the list of health risks.Because we are usually out of town, I don't always put up a Christmas tree. Occasionally I'll put up a small 4 foot tree or table top tree. I have even decorated a tall silk ficus tree with lights, bows, and wired ribbon, and placed a ring of poinsettia plants around the base of it instead of using an actual Christmas tree. It wasn't traditional, but it did feel festive.
#EANF#
#EANF#