It's true. Fresh trees are way over priced...but there isn't anything wrong with artificial. That's what we use now as well. Ikea used to offer trees for $20 but they were dry and didn't last the season. When you return the tree they'd give a gift card....being all environmental and all :)

I usually go for a walk in the woods with some pruners and cut a few branches to get the scent in the house - I just pile them into a large tin can or big glass container and it does it's thing without my help. :)