Beginning to start thinking about Christmas? With the winter months fast approaching and the temperature starting to drop, it’s only natural that our mind starts to wander toward the festive season. This is the season for getting together with our loved ones, and a Christmas tree is an essential addition to any home.
Of course, when it comes to choosing the perfect Christmas tree, one of the most important questions is always whether you should choose a real tree or a fake one.
There are pros and cons to both solutions, and in this blog, we thought we would take a closer look at both options to help you decide…
Real Christmas Trees
People have been using real Christmas trees for centuries, and they offer a fantastic and unique appearance. There are many benefits to choosing a real Christmas tree, including:
Create a family tradition
One of the biggest positives of a real Christmas tree is that it can form a wonderful family tradition. Coming together to go and visit a local nursery or Christmas tree farm to choose your tree is something that your children will love – and something that getting a fake one out of storage simply cannot replicate.
Research has shown that families who use real Christmas often have a higher value on festive traditions compared to those who use fake trees. That study also found that going to choose a real Christmas tree was their favorite holiday tradition.
Create family fun
Picking a real Christmas tree is not just about forming tradition, though. It is also a wonderful and fun activity that your whole family will love. Heading out on a weekend in December with the whole family to select your spruce is an errand that gets everyone in the festive mood.
Enjoy a beautiful scent
Another major benefit that you can enjoy when opting for a real Christmas tree is the wonderful scent that it gives off. The smell of fresh pine needles will fill out your entire room, helping to evoke that Christmas spirit in a way that you just cannot get with scented candles.
Recyclable
There is often a misconception that cutting down Christmas trees is harmful to the environment, but this is not actually true. The vast majority of Christmas tree farms grow their products using sustainable methods, which ensures there is a balance between the harvesting of the trees and planting new ones.
In fact, the vast majority of farms will aim to plant more trees than they are cutting down.
At the end of the holiday season, these trees can then be mulched, ensuring that there is no waste being produced. This is in contrast to fake trees, which as shown to produce around 40kg of greenhouse gas emissions.
Support local businesses
Finally, another major benefit that comes from using real Christmas trees rather than a fake one is that you will be helping to support local businesses. Artificial trees are mass-produced in warehouses that are often based overseas, whereas real trees will usually come from a locally sourced and family-run farm or nursery.
Lower initial cost
A high-quality artificial tree can cost several hundred dollars, whereas a real Christmas tree is much cheaper, with the average cost, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, is $78. This means that they are a lower initial cost, although this will need to be a recurring cost, whereas artificial trees will be used for multiple years.
Artificial Christmas Trees
While there are many benefits that come from using a real Christmas tree, there are also many different positives that come from opting for an artificial alternative. Some of the biggest benefits of using an artificial tree include:
Reusable holiday décor
One of the most significant benefits of an artificial tree is that you can reuse it again and again. With the right care and storage, these fake trees are able to last for many years, which in itself can create a traditional part of your festive activities.
The fact that it is reusable is also a far more cost-effective solution. Although there is a higher initial cost, the fact that you will not need to purchase another one for a while can make it a far more affordable solution compared to a real alternative.
No mess or maintenance
While adding a real Christmas tree to your home can fill it with a wonderful aroma, it will also fill it with pine needles! Real trees are incredibly high maintenance and require regular care, such as watering and pruning, throughout December to ensure that it remains looking fantastic on the big day.
They will also be shedding their pines from the moment you place them in your home, requiring you to regularly sweep them up.
With an artificial tree, you will not have to worry about any of this. Once you have put it up and decorated it, you will be able to sit back and admire its beauty without having to worry about any of the time-consuming maintenance.
Reduce fire risks
Not only is an artificial tree low maintenance, but they are also a safer alternative. Natural trees pose a high fire risk, especially when they are draped with Christmas lights that can become very hot.
Fake trees, on the other hand, are produced from materials that are highly fire-resistant, giving you complete peace of mind that your family and property are safe this festive season.
Customize your tree
Finally, another major benefit of opting for an artificial tree over a real tree is that you are able to completely customize it to your needs. With real trees, you are limited to the style and color, but with artificial options, you can enjoy a huge variety of shapes, styles, and colors.
Many of the top artificial Christmas trees on the market also come with an array of lighting and ornaments built in, creating truly incredible additions to your home.
Final Thoughts
As you will see, there are many benefits to both real Christmas trees and artificial trees, so the decision is entirely down to your home.
A traditional natural Christmas tree can make a wonderful addition to your home, filling your home with a fresh outdoor aroma that instantly makes your loved ones think of Christmas.
However, an artificial tree allows you to create a beautiful finish to your home, and with such a wide choice of trees available on the market you will always be able to find the perfect product for your home.