The best part of a real tree for xmas, is the smell of fresh pine
Agreed!
How to keep the needles to a minimum:
Keep the tree cold (outdoors) until it is time to decorate it - it will not shed if it is cold. Keep a
Christmas tree carpet under the tree that collects the needles.
When it gets time to throw it out, shove the tree into a large garbage bag
before moving it, and empty the carpet into the bag. Then it comes time to vacuum for the first time. No problem.