Christmas trees are a wonderful addition to your home during the holiday season. If you are trying to decide between a real or an artificial tree, there are many factors to consider. Both tree types have their benefits and their drawbacks, but hopefully by the end of this article, you will have a better idea of which you would prefer.

A real Christmas tree is a great choice for bringing a sense of the outdoors into your living room and creating a unique tradition with your family. Real trees smell of fresh-cut greenery and look beautiful with ornaments and lights on its branches. Additionally, real trees can be recycled once the holiday season is over.

While real trees have many benefits, they also require more work than an artificial tree to maintain. Real trees shed needles that make a mess on the floor and must be watered every day or they begin to deteriate. Attaining a real tree can also be more challenging than buying an artificial tree because a tree lot may not be in close driving distance to your location. So, some people choose to find and chop down their own tree which can be time consuming and costly.

On the other hand, artificial trees are a far more convenient and sustaining choice. While artificial trees can be more expensive when they are first purchased, they can last up to five years. So, the hassle of finding a tree and purchasing one is far less frequent than a real tree. Additionally, you can buy an artificial tree with lights already placed on the branches (a pre-lit tree) which saves a lot of time when decorating the tree. Artificial trees also offer more of a variety of designs to choose from. You can choose a pink, green, red, blue, or white tree that’s 2 feet tall, or 10 feet tall, or with frosted branches. The options are so vast! See a comparison of the trees below.

Note: This table only covers a few of the most common features that people might compare when choosing between a real and an artificial Christmas tree. There might be other factors that are important to you, such as the ease of setting up, the look and the space it would take, that should be taken into account.

While artificial trees offer a lot of advantages, they do not evoke the same atmosphere as a real Christmas tree. They also are not as beneficial for the environment because they are made of non-biodegradable materials.

Both types of trees offer different advantages and disadvantages. There is no one right answer, maybe you try a real tree this year and fake one next year! Whatever you choose, make the moments last with those you love. Decorate the branches, play some of Michael Bublé’s Christmas album, and take a step back once you are finished to appreciate your creation. Happy holidays!