Many people debate every Christmas about whether to get a real or artificial Christmas tree.
Both types of Christmas trees are great to use in decorating, however there are good points and bad points for each.
Here is a list of pros and cons for artificial and real Christmas trees.
photo courtesy of Leon Brocard flickr.com/photos/acme/4241044342/Scent
Real Christmas trees have an evergreen scent that helps add to the Christmas feeling (pro).
Artificial trees do not have an odor, however you can purchase scented ornaments (con).
Cost
Real Christmas trees have to be purchased every year (con), but an artificial Christmas tree is purchased once and lasts for many years (pro).
Artificial Christmas trees are especially affordable after Christmas, however the selection may be limited.
If purchased on sale from a big box store, an artificial Christmas tree should pay for itself in 2 years or less.
Aesthetics
Real Christmas trees almost always look better than artificial ones when they are first purchased (pro), however artificial ones stay looking the same and do not dry out or look dead if purchased too soon (pro).
Transportation
Real Christmas trees must be transported from the place of purchase, often requiring a truck (con).
Artificial Christmas trees often come in several sections, making them smaller and easier to be transported in a regular car (pro).
Tradition
Many people love the tradition of going as a family to select a real Christmas tree together every year (pro).
You will not have that tradition with an artificial Christmas tree (con).
Variety
With an artificial Christmas tree, you have the same tree every year and can't change your mind (con).
If you have a real Christmas tree, you can have a taller tree this year, a flocked tree next year, a fatter tree the following year, and 2 small trees the year after that (pro).
You can change your decorating as you like.
Maintenance
Real Christmas trees require water else they will dry out and look bad (con).
They will also shed needles and require the floor to be cleaned almost every day.
Artificial Christmas trees do not shed after being decorated (pro).
Christmas Lights
The worst job of decorating a Christmas tree is putting on the lights.
Most artificial Christmas trees sold today come with lights already attached, so you don't have to put the lights on or take them off (pro).
Real Christmas trees must have the lights put on and off every year (con).
Storage
After Christmas, simply throw your real Christmas tree out with your garbage (pro).
Artificial Christmas trees must be boxed up and put away (con).
You must have room to store the tree somewhere in your house - garage, attic, basement, or closet.
Environment
Cutting down real Christmas trees is bad for the environment (con), but so is creating a plastic tree that will eventually end up in a landfill (con).
