With exactly one week to go until Christmas, I have another holiday-themed question for today’s Mom Talk Monday.
My husband and I are on different sides of this one, but I won’t tell you which of us is on which side.
Is your Christmas tree real or artificial? I’d also love to hear the reason why!
Maybe your reasons will sway one of us to switch sides 🙂
30 comments
Real. It’s more eco-friendly, despite what some people think. Most artificial trees have some nasty chemicals in the plastic and are non-recyclable, so when you decide to upgrade (or downsize) and throw a tree away it’ll sit in the landfill forever. Real trees are compostable and their nutrients will be returned to the earth in some kind of way. More than 85% of artificial Christmas trees in the U.S. are imported from China, significantly enlarging their carbon footprint. And for those who may perceive real trees contributing to deforestation: Christmas trees are grown for one reason, to be Christmas trees! About 350 million trees grow on Christmas tree farms in the US. Christmas tree farms can also serve as important habitats for local birds, insects, and other wildlife. And in many places they are planted in areas where there originally was no ground cover or vegetation, contributing to the local biodiversity and green cover. Real trees all the way!
I’m blown away by your expertise on this! Do you work environmentalism? Thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍
We normally do real trees, but last year we got a fake one. There are pros and cons to both. Real ones naturally smell really good, but THE NEEDLES! We have a ton of stairs and it was just a huge mess bringing it in and taking it out!
Oh my gosh you just reminded me of one year when our tree just RAINED needles every day. I’m thinking it must have been too old and dried our or something but it was brutal! Some definitely drop more than others!
I’m definitely team fake tree! Easy and less hassle to worry about during Christmas! 😅
The convenience is tempting!
I have a fake tree. The real ones scare me!
I’m laughing at how I used the word “artificial” so as not to offend anyone by calling it “fake”… but all the fake tree fans just say fake 😂 Keeping it real, I love that!
Fake for now…just because I celebrate with my parents and share theirs. But, when I am able to have my own, I would like a real one. Reasons are: lovely Christmassy pine smell, nostalgia, cheapness (depending on how it’s done), and ability to help weed out invasive pine species from our area.
Recently, we saw a local wildlife refuge cutting invasive pine trees and giving them away to folks. I loved this idea, as it usually bothers me to just waste a tree so my house looks pretty. This way, we can actually help out by harvesting a real tree.
Wow, I’ve never heard of this! Very interesting.
My Christmas tree is real. I support a local community that grows Christmas trees and for each tree they cut, they plan another one (these being completely separate to those they plant and then cut for sale). They preserve a species of a pine tree by doing this. They also give many people jobs during the holiday season and that’s why I support it. I figure this is better than a buying a fake one at some big retail store. I prefer local 🙂
I love all the different angles I’m getting in these responses. I didn’t even think about the aspect of supporting local business.
We have a fake tree. Lots of reasons – the two most important: we live in a condo so real trees are discouraged because they’re a fire hazard. And two: I’m terrified of what we might find in a real tree LOL!!
Hahaha like Chevy Chase, right? That’s totally where you got that fear!
I love the fake tree and buy the pine spray.
Faking people out with the smell, haha!
I’ve only ever had a fake tree. I wouldn’t know what to do with a real tree. I worry about the fire hazard that comes with a real tree. I also hate stringing lights on trees, so we have a pre-lit tree.
So funny. I’ve never had a fake tree so my mind was blown when someone described the process of assembling it “like a puzzle”. Now you are blowing my mind again by telling me you don’t even need to string the lights on them!
My family doesn’t celebrate Christmas so I can’t answer this question but I can say there is nothing quite like the smell of a real tree! Either way, both types of trees are absolutely gorgeous and bring such warmth to a home during the holiday season.
I always wondered if people who don’t celebrate Christmas get annoyed with seeing all the Christmas stuff everywhere. So it’s very interesting to hear your positive view of Christmas trees. Thank you for sharing!
I love the idea of real – the smell etc but I have never had one in my home. recently i read that plastic trees are more environmentally friendly. i guess this is true assuming you stick with it for life instead of changing according to trends
In Australia we only have plastic trees. I never really understood the point of real trees but if it’s people’s preference, go for it!
I’m seriously learning so much from this little post. I had no idea there are no real pine trees in Australia. Makes sense though I suppose because of the different climate?
We don’t have one 🙂 When I do put one up, I prefer the artificial ones because I have cats. Real trees drop pine needles. If a cat eats them, it can puncture their intestines. Since it’s only the two of us, we put a tiny little tree when I do decorate.
I am not a cat owner so I never knew that about cats! Yikes!
Fake because my sons asthma acts up with a real tree but honestly I feel so bad chopping down a tree for decorating…
Fake tree all the way. There’s so many reasons but to name one it’s recyclable every year. Save cost and no pine sweeping needed.
I won’t even lie, I have 3 christmas trees. I have a winter wonderland themed artificial one that I flocked myself, then there’s the live one with all of our hallmark and keepsake ornaments, and then I have a third smallish one on the landing upstairs with a treat box for each family member (including extended family). I put flavored cocoas in them for Christmas Eve.
Wow you sound like the fairy godmother of Christmas!
I’ve done both and feel each has their pros and cons! This year, we put up an artificial tree and it was very convenient. We live in Florida and with the heat, real trees tend to dry out so quickly! I must admit though, I do love the spruce smell! Also, the experience of selecting a real tree and bringing it home is always so fun and festive.