when I lived alone i didn't have a real tree, i made sure i bought green cans, yellow cans, silver cans and red cans of beer during november and december. and made a tree from the washed out empties.
that said my dad is on his own as mum is in a care home and he doesn't do any tree or anything as its too much bother. he is happy enough though.
in short do what you want , nobody will judge you whatever you do.