Pros and Cons of Artificial Vs. Real Christmas Trees

Every year, families debate whether to get a real Christmas tree, or invest in an artificial one. Research the pros and cons of each, to decide which is best for your lifestyle and tastes.

Pros of an Artificial Tree
No maintenance
One purchase can last for years
Can be purchased prelit
No refuse to be removed, simply store it away until next year

Cons of an Artificial Tree
Stuck with one size every year, even if you get a bigger or smaller space
Removes the tradition of picking out the family Christmas tree
Stuck with one style, especially if you choose a prelit one
Takes up extra storage space

Pros of a Real Tree
Having a family tradition of choosing this year’s tree
The smell of real evergreen it adds to your home
You choose the perfect size every year to fit your current space

Cons of a Real Tree
Maintenance to ensure the tree is watered well to last through the season
Fire hazard if needle get too dry
Cleanup of needles as they drop off
Paying for the removal of the tree after the holidays
Essentially killing a living evergreen, every year

As you see, both choices have serious pros and cons to contemplate. If you are craving the look of a real tree, without the additional hassles, artificial trees have come a long way in style. Some companies, like Balsam Hill, offer realistic Blue Spruce artificial Christmas trees that are six and half feet tall and are covered in thousands of branch tips to ensure it mimics the look of a real evergreen. If you get one that is unlit, you can change the style every year, replacing the traditional hunt for a tree with the hunt for a holiday theme. For example, do a candy cane theme one year with white and red lights, and a gingerbread theme the next with multicolored lights. You’ll have the festive look you want, and the extra money in your budget deck out the rest of your house, without having to spend a dime on a new tree every year.