It’s December, and the Christmas season has officially begun! The decorations are starting to go up, and the Christmas tree is by far the most important. With this in mind, which is the best Christmas tree to get- real or fake?
Real Christmas trees have the advantage of feeling authentic and having a special something that an artificial tree just can’t replicate. They look beautiful, smell lovely and make the whole experience of buying a tree feel more Christmassy. Going out to a tree farm with loved ones to choose your own tree is something that can’t be matched by going out to the shops and buying an artificial one. For this reason, many people choose to buy a real Christmas tree for the experience.
There are also environmental concerns about buying a fake Christmas tree- that is, if you don’t get full use out of it! Real trees are bio-degradable and eco-friendly, and growing concerns for the well-being of our planet means this might be the better choice. According to Dr John Kazer, “If you have an artificial tree at home you would need to reuse it for at least 10 Christmases to keep its environmental impact lower than a real tree”.
The downsides of a real Christmas tree might outweigh the benefits. Firstly, real trees are a fire hazard. Real Christmas trees are highly flammable, especially when dry, which is a massive safety concern. The National Fire Protection Agency reported that real Christmas tree fires are “much more likely to be deadly than most other fires”. An artificial tree, on the other hand, is usually made with material that is fire-resistant, meaning there is much less risk.
Perhaps the most convincing aspect of a fake tree is the cost, which Is especially applicable for students on a budget! Artificial trees can be used again and again, instead of having to buy a new one every year. This saves a lot of money over the years. Fake trees also require much less effort than a real one. They are easy to transport, dismantle, and assemble, whereas real trees require a lot more effort. Real trees are also much less convenient due to upkeep, with regular watering, and the need to pick up the dead pine needles they shed. Additionally, a real Christmas tree might also be the home to bacteria, mould and insects.
The verdict is that fake takes the cake! Investing in a good fake Christmas tree has a lot of upsides, including its cheaper cost, less effort, safety and convenience. Artificial trees have improved a lot, and nowadays can often get away with being a real one anyway!