We switched to an artificial tree at some point; then it got wrecked, so I now use a little desk tree I had when I was teaching. I had used it for my mother in law for her room in the nursing home for three years, and when she passed, it came home to us again. I love to turn on the lights at night, too, and so enjoy it. It suits my lazy self too, cause I can put a garbage bag over it, and store it all decorated, and just pull it out again the next year. Easy peasy, and Merry Christmas to you all!