Fake or real tree?

We asked the people of Waterford the ultimate Christmas quandary, do they use a fake or real tree for Christmas?

Some raised environmental reasons for their preferred choice, whilst others cited mere aesthetic reasons for their decision.

Jimmy 'Gunter' Grant said he'd prefer a fake tree: "Definitely a fake one, because its easier to take down and no hoovering up after!" 

Emily Mackey added that she uses both, because of a very specific reason.

"One of each. The stove kills the real one every year, but in the other part of the house which is so cold because our house is so old we do put up a real tree," she said.

"So I much prefer a real tree but we do have both," she added.

Derek Cummins said: "I'd rather a real one but we use a false one."

A number of locals said that the smell is the reason they opt for a real pine, with one person saying "it doesn't feel like Christmas without the tree smell".

Others mentioned that using artificial tree scent spray "just doesn't feel the same".

Mary Hayes O'Keeffe said: "I prefer a real one because I love the smell of pine from them."

"It makes it feel like Christmas," she added.

"I love Christmas scented candles and the smell of christmas pudding as well, that's what bring out the Christmas feeling."

Mya Doyle and Ed Whelan added: "We would say real as well because of the smell."

"But also because shopping for a real tree is fun," she said.

Meanwhile, another local said that there can be deeper meaning behind using a false tree: "A fake tree doesn't have the same smell, but they are much more ideal and we've used the same tree since I was very young, so it means a lot to the family."

"We have used the same tree across multiple generations, and now my own kids get to use it too," she added.