Fake verses real Christmas trees. Which is better and why?

My wife and I threw out our old fake tree last year, we looked forever to find the best deal and found an artificial tree that looks and feels real! We used it last Christmas and just put it up again after Thanksgiving. Fake tree pros: Artificial trees that are made now are a breeze to setup and take down (ours is pre-lit and only three sections).

You can use the same tree for years (saves money in the long run). Most are fire-retardant. Nowadays most of them look and feel real.

Cons: Initial cost of a really good one ( we paid 175 on sale) storing it till next year (this is a pain if you have limited storage space) Real tree pros: They smell nice. Picking out a new one each year. (this can be fun especially with children) you don't have to put it in a box to store it after Christmas.

Cons: Having to pick out a new one each year. Having to water it. Dropping needles.

Fire hazard (if not properly cared for) Cost of a new tree every year.

I suppose it depends on your situation and dynamic but for us we prefer the artificial ones. There are so many available now days that look and feel just like real ones. We have a beautiful artificial tree that looks and feels like a real tree and we love it.

We have one that looks just like this one hammacher.com/Product/75671?promo=Christ... but we didn't pay that much for it. We bought ours at Sam's and only paid $160. The reason we don't like real trees is the mess they tend to make.

You have to keep up the water in the container, pick up the needles as they drop off and with our busy days etc we just don't have time for the extra upkeep. You can get the artificial trees with lights already on them or just bare. There are a lot of options out there for artificial trees and they are all nice..! :-) Whether you prefer a real tree or not, get what is best for your family and your situation - but most of all, enjoy the Christmas holiday..! :-).

Why I will always prefer a real Christmas Tree over an artifical tree. #1 reason About 85% of all fake trees are imported from China where they are manufactured by low paid workers in unhealthy factories. #2 Artifical trees are made of metals and plastics, typically PVC, which can be a potential source of hazardous lead."The manufacture of PVC creates and disperses dioxins, which include the most toxic man-made chemical known.

Released into air or water, dioxins enter the food chain, where they accumulate in fatty tissues of animals and humans, a potential risk for causing cancer, damaging immune functions and impairing children's development. " #3 Artifical trees are NOT fire proof! , they may be fire retardant but once ablaze release toxic smoke containing such contaminates as hydrogen chloride gas and dioxin.

#4 Artifical trees are in no way environmentally friendly, their plastic! So eventually they wind up in the landfill. #5 Thier fake!

I think Frank from Big Tree Plantation explains the benefits of a real tree better then I can in this brief video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7drY01ehutY&feature=related Buy a real tree and help stimulate the economy. Nothing compares to the annual family adventure to the Christmas Tree farm to pick out that perfect tree for your holiday.

Fresh pine scented air, hot chocolate and a day spent outdoors with family instead of fighting crowds in some artifically lit mega store listening to canned xmas music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dorxe5duxnQ&feature=related Merry Christmas!

Great timing for this question! This has been my main worry for this years Christmas! I have being trying to decide whether to buy a fake tree this year or not.

Every year I buy a real tree, and they aren't cheap where we live). Then I decided that perhaps this year would go for fake. Have been looking around, but maybe where we live they aren't as nice as say in the States.

They just look fake and 2nd rate. But I have been trying to convince myself, maybe when all the decorations go on, it will look much better! Well, I might just have to take the plunge and buy one to test it out.

I love real trees. They smell wonderful, you can choose the exact shape that suits you, size etc. Always go alone to pick the tree! It takes me double the time if I have someone with me!

(just kidding, take your husband). But really, I do go alone, as it is a daunting job picking the perfect tree! Once I get it home, it has to go in the stand, or bucket.

This takes me extra time, as it's not done where you buy the tree, so I make quite a mess with some of the needles. (Best to have a cold glass of wine handy at this stage) (not for the tree, for the nerves!) Then you can start the decorating! When it's done, hopefully all the family will rave how beautiful it is (They do:)These are the things about having the fresh tree.

So, back to the fake! A breeze to put up. Easy to decorate, as you aren't worrying if needles etc will be shedding.

Easy to store away, ( if you have storage space) But I guess it's a bit like convenience food.It looks good, it's easy and quick. But does it really taste like the real thing!

We are required to have an artificial tree since we live in an apartment building and they don't want the fire hazard. That being said I live in Maine and am surrounded by beautiful candidates for a natural Christmas Tree. I prefer the scent and feel of a real one, but disposing of it can be a pain and you have to keep it watered or up your fire risk or also have it drop pine needles everywhere!.

I think it's a personal decision that depends on your living situation and preferences. Happy Holidays!

I always gotten real trees, my grandparents always had fake ones and you can tell. My thing now that I am older is to cut it down myself because they last longer usually.

Don't do anything in life that's not authenic.

Fake is better that way you can always reuse it :).

I would like to add something to the answers that the other users gave for that particular question. If you have a yard or garden, best is to buy a live Christmas plant (with its roots and so on), and plant it. Some species can also be potted.

This is a more 'natural way', and will cost you less in the long term. The Fir (Abies) species that are used as Christmas trees do not shed their needles when they dry out. But, they will need some form of maintainance as they grow up.

For instance: watering and trimming. Try to keep it safe from strong winds by putting it in a suitable location. Depending on its location, it may or may not be suitable to leave gifts under the tree overnight.

If you don't want to have a christmas tree as plant at home, you can make an exception this year (or any other year) by buying a natural Christmas tree (cut) for Christmas. If you are going to have guestes, a decorated natural Christmas tree will be better than an artificial one. Have a nice Christmas.

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