Whether you like to keep it real or fake it 'till you make it, we've got the hack for you

<p>Every year the debate over whether you&rsquo;ll be putting up an artificial Christmas tree or branching out and purchasing a real one, rages in every home. </p><p>‘You can&rsquo;t beat the smell of a fresh Christmas tree&rsquo; one person will say. ‘But purchasing an artificial tree is a one-time expense&rsquo; another will argue. </p><p>However, it&rsquo;s not just Christmas trees which can be ‘faked&rsquo;. These days, that certain smell that inevitably triggers wonderful memories of Christmases past can come in the form of a scented candle.</p><p>And for those ‘dreaming of a white Christmas&rsquo;, spray on snow can make your winter wonderland dreams come true.</p><p>To help you decide whether you&rsquo;ll be decorating your 6ft real-life fir come December, or putting up your pre-lit LED white Christmas tree, we&rsquo;ve put together a list of products and ideas for how to create your perfect Christmas at home - whether it&rsquo;s the real deal or the artificial route you take. </p><h2>Fake: Christmas trees</h2><p>At Christmas, a home isn&rsquo;t complete without putting up your tree as the centrepiece.</p><p>Fake Christmas trees mean no hoovering, no watering and they are easy to set up.</p><p><img alt="asda_christmas_tree_1" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/christmas_tree_GL?scl=1"></p><p>With <a href="http://direct.asda.com/george/christmas-shop/trees/george-home-7ft-green-pre-lit-led-christmas-tree-warm-white/001841351,default,pd.html" target="_blank">this pre-lit Christmas tree</a>, there's even less to decorate this season. The George Home 7ft Green Pre-Lit LED Christmas Tree comes decorated with 180 warm white lights that give off a magical glow, as well as 697 branch tips for a full, luxe look.</p><p><img alt="tree-2" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/tree-2_GL?scl=1"></p><p>Or for those who want to create a snowy setting, the <a href="http://direct.asda.com/george/christmas-shop/trees/george-home-3ft-newport-flocked-downswept-christmas-tree/001841211,default,pd.html" target="_blank">3ft Newport Flocked Downswept Christmas Tree</a> is covered with a fine coating of fake snow and contains 140 branch tips and 30 warm LED white lights.</p><p>As well as popping up your Christmas tree you can create another one with some unused decorations. Get creative by sticking up <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/diy-and-hardware-supplies/command-mini-hooks/910000499108" target="_blank">Command Mini Hooks</a> so you can pin baubles and beads to your wall to create a Christmas tree like no other. These clips allow you to put up and take down decorations as often as you want, without marking or damaging the walls. </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/_E3xqEK4lT/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Rach �� (@esther_phant)</a> on <time datetime="2015-12-09T15:29:11+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 9, 2015 at 7:29am PST</time></p></div></blockquote><script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><h2>Real: Christmas trees</h2><p>For those who are more traditional and can&rsquo;t do Christmas without a real tree, there&rsquo;s a diverse range of fresh firs to choose from at your <a href="http://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">local Asda store</a>. There's nothing quite like having the real pine smell (even if it&rsquo;s a bit messy), but these trees are recyclable and biodegradable too! </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:55.1312649165% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BNKxT2pA-FP/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by ⭐️✨ ᗯEᒪᑕOᗰE TO ᗯᕼOᐯIᒪᒪE ⭐️✨ (@who_ville)</a> on <time datetime="2016-11-23T21:47:39+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Nov 23, 2016 at 1:47pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><h2>Fake: Scented candles</h2><p>Nothing says Christmas like the smell of cinnamon, cloves and mince pies. You can make your home smell like freshly baked pies hot out of the oven with this <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/candles-wax-melts-reed-diffuser/febreze-spiced-apple-odour-eliminating-scented-candle/910002064976" target="_blank">Febreze Spiced Apple</a> odour eliminating scented candle (pictured right). The Febreze scented candle is designed to burn evenly and to diffuse a subtle scent across the entire room. Or try the Airwick Spiced Orange & Cinnamon for magical and warm scent (pictured left).</p><p><img alt="spiced_apple" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/spiced_apple_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Real: scented candles</h2><p>Get creative by making some festive decorations which look and smell like Christmas. You could purchase some <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/spices/asda-cinnamon-sticks/414521" target="_blank">cinnamon sticks</a> and place them around a <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/candles/george-home-cream-pillar-candle/910000981356" target="_blank">candle</a>, tied together with some thin rope. It would make a great dining room centerpiece to get you and your guests into the Christmas spirit. </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:43.7037037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BMkjIUnjf_6/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Laurel Cross (@lpc01)</a> on <time datetime="2016-11-09T01:32:36+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Nov 8, 2016 at 5:32pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><h2>Fake: Mulled wine</h2><p>What is better than curling up on the sofa with a glass of wine in your hand - especially over the festive period? This ready made <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/fruit-flavoured-wine/belgars-mulled-wine/910000092935" target="_blank">mulled wine</a> can be enjoyed hot or cold and it's ready to drink within seconds. </p><p><img alt="mulled_wine" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/mulled_wine_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Real: Mulled Wine</h2><p>But if you fancy making your own mulled wine from scratch this Christmas, all you'll need is <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/spices/asda-mulled-wine-spice-kit/910002042766" target="_blank">this spice kit</a> and your favourite bottle of red. Simply simmer the concoction for 10 minutes and then strain out the spices.</p><p>Or try out <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/mulled-white-wine" target="_blank">our delicious, fruity mix</a> that's a new twist on the traditional red mulled wine.</p><p><img alt="mulled_wine_spice_kit" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/mulled_wine_GL?scl=1"></p><p><em>Make sure you check out the full range of Christmas decorations at <a href="http://direct.asda.com/george/christmas-shop/trees-decorations/tree-decorations/D18M2G1C2,default,sc.html" target="_blank">George</a> online or at your <a href="http://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">local Asda store</a>. </em></p>

Real vs. fake Christmas hacks to use in your home this winter

By ASDA Admin,24th November 2016

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