Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Which One Is Right For You?
Every year at Christmastime, families across the country make a big decision: will they opt for a real tree or an artificial tree this year? While many families stick with the same tradition year after year, there are all sorts of factors that can cause people to swap their real tree for an artificial one (or vice versa). If you’re thinking about switching up your usual tradition, check out these considerations when it comes to real vs. artificial Christmas trees.
Why Do People Love Real Trees?
If you’ve always opted for an artificial tree, you may not understand why getting a real tree is so important to many families. Here are some of the many benefits of real trees to consider.
Picking Out a Real Tree is Fun for the Whole Family
Each year as winter sets in, we spend more and more time inside. Bundling up to go pick out a tree as a family (followed by hot cocoa and cookies) can be the perfect activity to get you out of the house. If you opt for a real tree, get your kids (and even pets) involved! Take family photos. Bring a saw and cut down your tree yourself if the business allows it. It’s sure to be a memorable day that you’ll look forward to every year.
Real Trees Cost Less Upfront
One of the biggest considerations for families when it comes to real vs. artificial Christmas trees is cost. Artificial trees pay for themselves over time. But many families don’t want to spend several hundred dollars on an artificial Christmas tree during the holidays. They’d rather pay less for the family fun of going to pick one out and use the remaining money for gifts or other holiday activities. Artificial trees are a big investment, so for many families, buying a real tree each year simply makes more sense financially.
Real Trees Smell Amazing
While they do make scented ornaments and sprays for artificial trees, real tree lovers would argue that nothing smells better than a real pine tree at Christmas. The scent of a freshly-cut tree sets the mood for a festive holiday season, and for many, is the reason they bring one home each year.
There’s Just Something Magical About a Real Tree
Many people can’t put their finger on exactly what they love about having a real tree each Christmas. But there is something magical about bringing a little piece of nature inside, especially when it can be so cold and bleak outdoors in the winter. And while artificial tree offerings get better every year, it’s impossible to replicate the look, smell, and feel of a real tree.
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Why Do People Love Artificial Trees?
While some can’t wait to head to the Christmas tree farm to pick out their tree, others prefer a stress-free, low-maintenance option each year. Here are some of the many benefits of artificial trees.
Artificial Trees Are Less Time-Intensive
When considering real vs. artificial Christmas trees, many families go artificial because they require less time and maintenance. There’s no need to walk miles through fields to find the perfect tree. It doesn’t need to be watered, and there are no sticky needles to be swept up.
If you don’t enjoy the yearly struggle with tangled Christmas tree lights, you can opt for a pre-lit tree. Or, choose an unlit tree and leave your lights on year after year to save time and frustration. Some families even opt to leave their ornaments on, simply adding any new ones they’ve bought each winter.
Artificial Trees Save You Money Long-Term
Artificial trees can be more expensive upfront, but can last for years and still look as beautiful as the day you bought them. A high-quality artificial tree can cost you a few hundred dollars. But cutting down a hundred dollar tree each year can add up fast, especially when you consider that an artificial tree can last for 10-15 years.
Artificial Trees Can Be Safer
When comparing real vs. artificial Christmas trees, artificial trees can also be safer for your family under some circumstances. Some people are allergic to pine or other Christmas tree families. While most allergies are mild, some can be very serious. Artificial trees are a great way to avoid these allergic reactions so that everyone can feel their best and celebrate this festive time of year.
Artificial trees can also be a safer option if you have pets. Many cats like to climb Christmas trees and accidentally tip them over. Other dogs and cats may try to drink from the tree’s water or even relieve themself on the tree since they are used to seeing trees outside. Since an artificial tree doesn’t carry the same outdoorsy scent, it is much less tempting to most pets, and many ignore artificial trees altogether.
Finally, consider fire hazards when comparing real vs. artificial Christmas trees. Real trees can dry out, either from insufficient watering or simply from the fact that they were cut down months prior. Dry needles combined with lights and electricity can cause trouble quickly – but artificial trees don’t share the same fire risk, as many are made of flame-resistant materials. Be sure to dust your tree each year before you light it to keep fire hazards at bay.
Artificial Trees Require No Upkeep
The other big reason that families love artificial trees is because they require virtually no upkeep once set up. They don’t need to be watered or fertilized, they don’t drop as many sticky needles that need to be swept up, and they look amazing year after year with just a little shaping.
Artificial Trees Are Stunning
If you’ve ever tagged or cut down a real tree yourself, you know that it’s nearly impossible to find a perfectly round, even, full, green Christmas tree. With an artificial tree, you’ll have a beautiful tree from every angle, and it can last from Thanksgiving into the new year with no loss in color or needles.
So Which Type of Tree is Better?
Every family is different, so there is no right answer in the debate between real vs. artificial Christmas trees. Maybe it’s your first year not traveling home to celebrate, and so having a real Christmas tree is a necessity to make the season feel festive. Or maybe you have a new baby or new pet, and an artificial tree will save you time and stress. Whatever decision you make, your tree is sure to bring fun and beauty to your holiday season.
Ready to pick out your Christmas tree? Stauffers has a wide variety of both real and artificial trees in all shapes and sizes.