Last year I started something new cause my boys were older and this year they don't live at home anymore. I have always had a HUGE live tree..... I LOVE them.
But... last year I got a small balsam fir at a store... it was about 10" tall. I put tiny decorations on it.

I put it outside during the summer and it did great - I still have it.
This year I knew I couldn't have a tree cause of the dogs but I wanted something a little bigger so I got another balsam fir but this one is about 2-1/2 to 3 feet tall with red bows on it. It was only $11.88. It is really pretty and I can keep it where the dogs can't destroy it. I put the tiny ornaments on it and that is what I'm using this year....
Not exactly what I want, but it's cute and it's still a live tree!