Real or fake? Appraisal being something of a way of life, this question is applied to almost everything nowadays from memoir writers, TV shows and handbags, along with its more traditional subjects like body parts, bacon bits, and bling. The understanding is always that real is better, preferred, and ideal. And, sometimes it is. But with the holiday season upon us, this seems a perfect time to celebrate an authenticity not of pretty objects and entertainment, but of feelings, words and actions. And conversely, to appreciate the sly value of the blatantly, shamelessly unreal, the charmingly sincere fake that does not seek to deceive. In that spirit, here’s the following fake trees, ranging from tabletop to full size, as an invitation to rethink what makes something “a good fake.”

In the words of the band Blonde Redhead: Fake can be just as good

Felt Trees from CB2

Felt Trees from CB2

The clean lines and spare profile of these soft conical wonders from CB2 add a decorative touch without any fussiness.

Mini Ornament Tree from Crate and Barrel

Mini Ornament Tree from Crate and Barrel

If all you really want is to show off your ornament collection, then maybe all that greenery is just in the way. This tiny ornament tree with its scrolled hooks for ornaments is an ideal way to showcase beloved favorites so they don’t get lost in the branches.

Bottle Brush Tree by Kuno Prey

Bottle Brush Tree by Kuno Prey

This German import featuring a rendition of the humble bottle brush elevates the mundane to the celebratory and was designed by Kuno Prey, a professor at the Free University of Bolzano in Italy.