Real or fake Christmas tree? Which do you prefer? It’s a topic most people have a strong opinion on, largely based on what they were used to when growing up. In today’s post, I’ll bring some clarity to this emotionally-charged question with an objective look at the advantages and disadvantages of real and artificial Christmas trees.
When my husband and I got married, we had a dilemma. He had been raised in a household where a real Christmas tree was the only option. My family, on the other hand, had always had a fake tree. What to do?
We moved into our first house two weeks before Christmas. Amid all the chaos of moving and getting settled, we put up the old artificial tree I had brought with me from my apartment.
The next year, I was excited to have my first real Christmas tree. For several years after that, we had a real tree. When our kids were small, we used to make a day of it and go out with my husband’s sister and her family to choose the perfect Christmas tree. It was always a fun family outing.
Over time, as our kids grew older and life got busier, we found it more difficult to find a day that worked for everyone. One year, my husband decided it was too much of a hassle and we should get a fake tree. So, we went out and bought an artificial tree that we’ve used for the last 15 years or so.
So, real or fake Christmas tree? Which is best?
Pros and cons of a real Christmas tree
A real Christmas tree has several advantages:
- It’s not made of plastic so it won’t end up in the landfill one day.
- Real trees fill the room with a nice scent.
- Trees are good for the environment. Although we usually think of cutting down trees as a bad thing, Christmas tree farms replant the trees they cut down. I’ve also heard of potted trees that you can replant in your garden after Christmas.
- When the Christmas season is over, trees can be turned into mulch.
- Going out to choose the perfect tree can be a fun family outing.
But, despite their advantages, real trees aren’t without their problems.
- They’re expensive. A real tree can easily cost $50 to $100 or more every year. That adds up over time.
- If anyone in your family suffers from allergies, they may not appreciate that wonderful pine scent.
- It takes time to go out and find the perfect tree, and you need a vehicle to transport it home.
- Shedding needles create a mess.
- You’ll need to water a real tree daily.
- Dried out trees can become a fire hazard.
- And sometimes the tree that looks so perfect at the Christmas tree farm turns out to be twice the size of the spot you set aside for it in your living room.
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Pros and cons of a fake Christmas tree
Like a real tree, there are some definite advantages to artificial Christmas trees:
- No need to water and you don’t have to worry about falling needles.
- They’re always ready when you are. You don’t need to leave the house.
- If you’re someone who likes to prolong the Christmas season, you can leave a fake tree up for longer without worrying about it drying out
- Although the upfront cost may be higher, a fake tree will save you money in the long run.
- Your artificial tree is always the right size and shape for your room. You won’t need to worry about sawing off extra limbs because your tree is too tall, or too wide.
- You can buy them pre-lit, although that can turn into a disadvantage if the lights burn out.
On the other hand, here are some of the downsides of a fake tree.
- They don’t have a lovely scent, although a few drops of essential oils works wonders.
- Artificial trees can’t be recycled so they will eventually end up in landfill.
- Most are manufactured overseas so you need to factor in emissions from shipping to the environmental cost.
- You have to store the tree from year to year, so you’ll need storage space.
- Some artificial trees can look pretty hideous. As a child, I remember us having one of those tacky silver, tinselly trees. Ugh.
In the end, there is no clear winner so I suppose the debate will rage on! Real trees may have an edge from an environmental perspective. Fake trees are more convenient and, if you keep them for more than 7 years, are more cost effective and environmentally-friendly as a real tree according to this article.
Ultimately it comes down to personal preference, so I’ll let you decide. Which side of the real or fake Christmas tree debate do you land on? Tell me your thoughts below.
I struggle to decide which is better every year it comes up again! We have 2 real trees and 1 fake tree in our house at home. We have had that fake tree for at least 20 years (older than me) and I’m sure it will be used forever. A real tree is definitely lovely, but they can be impratical. I do love that it gets turned into mulch though
We’ve had our fake tree now for about 15 years and it still looks great. I don’t think we’ll ever go back to a real tree.
We decorate a tree in our front yard. Its beauty is shared with all who pass, there is no cutting down of trees, and no mess inside. And we don’t exchange presents. Experiences over stuff! 🌞
That’s great. I love to walk around the neighbourhood and see all the lights and trees decorated. And I am 100% with you on experiences over stuff.
This was interesting to read. I grew up with a fake tree & now we have continued the tradition and have another fake tree. But I have always wondered what it is like to have a real tree. Your post sheds a lot of light on it — and many of the things you mention I am not particularly fond of — seems too high maintenance, very messy, and simply massive for most living spaces. The only thing that I like about real trees that you mentioned is how environmentally friendly it is and the smell. So, I guess I’ll stick with my fake tree for a little longer.
It’s interesting that people tend to stick with what they grew up with. I do miss the smell of a real tree but a little pine essential oil in my diffuser replicates the scent without the mess.
I grew up always getting a real Christmas tree. Once I married my husband we switched over to a fake tree because of his allergies. It is convenient but I also miss having a real tree. I hope that at least a couple of years we can go out and get a real one with my girls.
I hadn’t thought of allergies—another downside to a real tree. I hope you get to have that experience with your girls. It was definitely fun when our girls were small.
We did not grow up with a tree, or decor…so I don’t have much to add lol And we don’t really do any now, we might when char is older! I think when we do it will likely be artificial for convenience!
The best part about an artificial tree is the convenience. It’s always ready when you are. And, you can leave it up for longer if you want to.
We always get a real fraser fit from a tree farm just up the road from us. The smell is truly lovely and it is a special time indeed to go up to the tree farm and walk their acres in search of the perfect tree and cut it down. I understand why many people opt for fake trees, but I have always been a real tree kind of gal.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on both sides of the spectrum!
That sounds lovely. It is a fun outing to go out and choose the perfect tree.
Our family has always had a real tree.
My husband’s family is the same. That’s why I was surprised when he was the one to suggest getting a fake tree.