Choosing a Christmas Tree: Real vs. Artificial

Are you a die-hard fan of either real or artificial Christmas trees? They both have their benefits and their drawbacks. Some families make an annual trek to a Christmas tree farm to choose their trees, and other families have just as important a tradition of putting together the artificial tree each year. If you are on the fence this year, here are some considerations to keep in mind as you make your choice:

• Convenience

  If you are looking for a convenient tree, then artificial is the way to go. You don’t need to water it, you don’t need to worry about pine needles littering your carpet, and you won’t have to deal with disposing of it after the holidays are over. All you need to do is put it together (which might be a project if the branches are not well-labeled), hang your lights and ornaments, and you’re good to go. This is an especially good choice if you will be traveling over the holidays; you won’t have to be concerned with maintaining a real tree in your absence.

• Esthetics

  There’s something romantic and magical about a real Christmas tree. You’ll smell the fresh pine needles when you walk in the door after a long day working or shopping, and it gives a real “Christmasy” feel to your home. On the other hand, as the branches start drooping and the needles start falling, your real tree won’t be looking quite as spry and young as an artificial tree, which will maintain the same look throughout the entire season and beyond.

• Environmental Concerns

  Everyone is trying to be a bit more “green” in the various areas of daily life, and the choice of a Christmas tree should be as eco-friendly as possible. The problem is that there’s a long-standing debate about which type has a more negative impact on the earth. Artificial trees last for years, or even decades, but they also will eventually take up space in a landfill. They are also made with PVC and other chemicals that might be detrimental to the environment. The other choice, however, requires that you cut down a living tree, which isn’t exactly eco-friendly. The growth of new trees usually means more applications of harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Of course, when you put the tree outside, it is biodegradable and will simply disintegrate into the soil.

• Family Tradition

  Back to thinking about family traditions, this is probably one of the major considerations when people decide which type of tree they’d like to have. If you have the tradition of shopping for the perfect tree with the extended family, then you might not be willing to give that up for the convenience of having less mess or preventing pesticides from being used on your tree. The opposite is also true; if you sit with your family in front of the fireplace putting together your artificial tree each year while listening to Christmas music, then you may want to carry on that tradition. Talk to your family and see what they think!

There are pros and cons to both types of Christmas trees. There are also some alternative choices, like decorating a tree that’s in your backyard, decorating a large houseplant in lieu of a tree, or not putting up a tree at all. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to enjoy making memories.