Artificial vs. Real Christmas Trees?

Now that the Thanksgiving leftovers have been mostly eaten, many families are about to move on to another seasonal ritual — trimming the Christmas tree. 

But before any popcorn garland can be strung or stars mounted on high, one must answer that most basic of all Christmas-tree-related questions:

Are you a real or artificial tree kind of person?

There are pros and cons to both, of course. While fresh cut firs are beloved for their pine-y scent and lush look, they require water and shed needles all over the floor. [Ed. note: Nobles and Frasers allegedly have the best needle retention.]

Artificial versions sold in stores are by comparison much neater to maintain, but they require a heftier initial investment and space to store the rest of the year.

So what will it be? Tell us where you stand...