Tired of having the same debate year after year over whether to have an artificial or real Christmas tree? Check here to see the pros and cons of both.
Artificial Christmas Trees
Probably the number one argument for purchasing and using an artificial tree is the fact that you only have to buy an artificial tree once and you can use it for years and years. Reusability is always a great selling point for families who love to budget and save. Every year, all you have to do is lug the tree down from the attic and set it up with little to no fanfare. Another great point about artificial trees is that if you can wait to buy an artificial tree until the sales begin after the Christmas holidays, you can invest in a quality tree for half the price you would have paid before the Christmas holidays. Since the trees do not have branches that get dry, there is a minimized risk of fire. Also, once you decorate your tree and place the presents underneath, you do not have to worry about maintaining the tree with water and food on a daily basis.
On the con side of artificial trees, if you do decide to get an artificial tree before the holidays, be prepared to spend an arm and a leg for a natural-looking tree. Sure, there are artificial trees that are inexpensive, but, trust me, they will LOOK inexpensive. You will, indeed, get what you pay for. Also, not every artificial tree looks authentic. Most people will be able to walk in a room and determine if your tree is fake or not. In addition, there will be no smell of pine in the air, since your tree will be made of plastic. It may also be a pain to drag the tree up and down the attic stairs year after year, not to mention the large space it will consume in storage.
Real Christmas Trees
Using artificial trees over real ones disallows you the fun family tradition of loading up the family in the car and heading over to the local nursery to pick the family tree for the year. With artificial trees, you lose out on the authentic smell and natural look of a real Christmas tree. There is nothing quite like having the smell of natural pine in the air as you bake Christmas cookies and sit in front of the fire sipping hot chocolate. Finally, for those who like to conserve natural resources, once Christmas is over, the trees can be easily mulched to help provide nutrients to your grass and flower beds all year long.
On the flip side, real Christmas trees require a lot of maintenance, including daily checks to see if the water is still intact and full. As the tree slowly begins to die, it will begin to lose its needles, creating a mess on the floor around it. Also, as the needles begin to dry out, they begin to pose a fire hazard due to the lights strung on the tree. It is crucial that you turn the lights off on your tree when you will not be around to tend to them. Finally, real Christmas trees, especially the nicer ones, can be quite an expense, especially during the holiday season.
