Which do you prefer: a real Christmas tree or an artificial Christmas tree?

Question

I didn't really grow up celebrating Christmas, so we never had to pick between getting a real tree or an artificial one. I feel like real trees look better but I'm a person that likes convenience. So I'd probably do an artificial one.  #25daysofShaTTeredChristmas #ohchristmastree #realvsartificial #ShaTTeredQuestions

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

Scrooge-ish though it may sound, put me solidly in the "Artificial" camp. For all the romanticism about real trees, I just can't see the Holiday spirit in putting a fire hazard in the middle of one's living room.

Throw in that as the season moves along, real trees drop needles which will remain in your carpeting, no matter how many times you vacuum, until July. Throw in that you have to keep watering the real tree about every other day throughout the time it sits in your house. That is more than you water your ordinary house plants.

Too much work for too little reward - and if you want pine scent in your living room, I strongly advocate some air fresheners. They do all the work with minimal labor.

Yeah, I know it sounds grumpy. Throw in that in my case my attitude is not helped by the fact that I detest winter, that Easter Sunday is my favorite holiday and that I grow weary of Christmas carols shortly after they begin playing them in the stores - usually in August.

Don't get me wrong, I like Christmas well enough. However, I like nature where it belongs - outdoors. I just don't see how it is improved by bringing wildlife into my living room.

hahahmm · Accepted Answer

I have a high quality fake tree. It looks real and the lights never die. I knew it would save me money over the years and I don't like the idea of chopping down trees just to use them for Christmas & then tossing them. I'm okay with trees being used to build furniture and houses.

The problem with the low end fake trees is they look really fake & half/all of the lights go out after 1 year. People make up for that by adding fake holly to the tree & adding string lights but that seems like too much trouble for me. You already have to fluf a fake tree after unpacking it. The 1st time you do it is the worst but it's easier in later years cause there's less fluffing that's needed.

Given the high price of fake trees right now, I wouldn't even try to get one of the high quality ones if I was looking.. I'd get a dirt cheap one and add stuff on.

sage2021 · Accepted Answer

I chose real most definitely. My mom always had a real treefor us. My favorite childhood memories were coming in the house after going somewhere and the Pine SMELL of the tree was so heavenly. I don't think real trees smell as strong as they did way back then. Pretty colored lights, silver tinsels adorned our tree which made it all sparkling. Then there were ornaments Mom saved each year since we were babies. Those were my favorite. Drinking egg nog while decorating the tree was a tradition. Merry Christmas 🎄🌲

TsundereMatrix · Accepted Answer

We used to get real Christmas trees growing up be in more recent years my family turned to artificial because the needles on the real ones would fall off and get tracked all over the house. Those things hurt when you step on them and they can poke through socks. Then we felt bad throwing them out each year. Kind of felt like a waste of a good tree.

melanieeeB · Answer

I do like the real ones, they also smell really nice but I don't want to kill a tree so I'm going to buy a fake one

zeitgeist057 · Answer

Real Pros: Smells great, feels natural.
Real Cons: Environmental damage, maintenance of needle pick up/watering, usually pokier than artificial. Sap mess, disposal (another environmental burden)

Artificial Pros: One time cost (cheaper in long run), no mess, more environmentally friendly (but only if long term, 6+ years). Lighter and easy set up.
Artificial Cons: storage space, upfront cost is larger for same size tree, no fresh pine smell.

Overall, I pick artificial, but if I'm going to someone else's house, I prefer them to have a real tree hahaha as long as I don't have to clean it up.

Anonymous · Answer

The real deal for sure.. in my family we celebrate in our vacation house located in the forest and just go in the area and pick one :D.. super convenient! Love the whole tradition, and it is just so beautiful and special with a tree in the middle of the room <3
And I don't get people talking about the mess.. easy to vacuum the needles, and a carpet under can catch most of them anyway. But I get it can be a hassle to transport.

JohnE_69 · Answer

I used to like getting live Christmas trees for, but then I realized they need to cut the tree down.
i was a little kid then when I learned this. This year for the Rockefeller Center they cut a tree that stood for 85 years, it won't get to live to see 86. My family has had artificial trees since the season of 1978, I never looked back. But I also learned from another Christmas show they grow new trees A LOT. So, I am happy for the trees. 😁

funtime_01 · Answer

Artificial. We gave up on the real Christmas tree's as you basically cut them down and they die afterwards, are discarded and burnt up after January. It's a waste of a beautiful tree. Whereas we've had a full artificial since 2014, still use the exact same one. They last for a long time

lightbulb27 · Answer

both:)

we just got a real one. I think as long as something productive is done with the real one, like re-plant it, mulch it, it's good. I like the aroman, it's clean.

Artificial I've had since a kid and they are easier to deal with and less flammable. I like that.

Tamera952 · Answer

I used to be a 'real tree only' type of person but given the sad state of affairs in the world, plus global warming, plus how it takes a fucking decade to grow an Christmas tree, ... I've come fully around to firmly think everyone sould get on board with artificial.

mooky06 · Answer

I did get a real Christmas tree for one of the years but it was too much hassle. Don’t get me wrong the smell of a proper Christmas tree is divine but the mess of pine needles everywhere.. not so much.. so i just do artificial ones from now on

ADFSDF1996 · Answer

Out of those, I say artificial since it can be reused.  But now I prefer artificial LED birch trees since they are reusable, significantly easier to set up and decorate.

blondefun1 · Answer

Artificial tree for sure! Dosent make a mess and you don’t have to buy one every year so it’s cheaper. Plus you can fold the branches so the ornaments stay on

KieranByrne · Answer

We choose a real tree every year, mainly by tradition because this is how my mum grew up. The smell, sap and pine needles everywhere!

It is a shame when the tree dies, even though they have been grown for this purpose!

Anonymous · Answer

I only ever grew up with real Christmas trees, but truth be told as an adult, being single and having a real tree is a pain. I always had to find someone to help haul it to my house and to haul it out and need someone to help set it up, so I gave up on that and switched to artificial. Plus it means I can set it up in early November and keep it up as long as my heart desires with no huge clean up or having to water it which are the bigger draws for me for the artificial tree.

Anonymous · Answer

Go for the option that is reusable over a good amount of years in a row, easily comes in different heights, is less messy, and often comes with its own lights installed :)
I mean I only really participate in the things like getting/sending presents and stuff for this holiday but it’s fun lol

beebella · Answer

I like the convenience of an artificial tree, too. The only real upside to real trees is that they smell nice. 😄

cookiecrusher · Answer

In my house I decorate the poledancing pole with lights and stuff and add a little electric motor to the bottom so it would slowly spin.

Aerissa_Jade · Answer

Both have their charms, I love the smell of live ones but I hate the cleanup afterwards. They do make for good bonfires though.

Artificial one I currently have at least comes pre-lite, makes for easier setup and take down.

Adam1978 · Answer

An artificial is more practical the only thing the real brings is the smell. And unless you live on the countryside and can go out and just pick one in the forest. I would say go for the plastic one. It's cheaper and easier.

Phoenix98 · Answer

I prefer real ones personally and they're not a big issue to deal with if you know how to do it properly.

lilyanony1 · Answer

Artificial
Can use it year in year out.
No leaf fall
No allergic reaction to the tree.
Safe for the environment = cutting less tree's.
Looks just as good from the day you decorate til the day you pack it away.

RedStiletto88 · Answer

We get a real tree every Christmas. Usually 7-8 feet

LikeALog · Answer

I got a real tree until the city stopped recycling them into mulch. I prefer a real tree. They smell wonderful, but I don't like burning it or sending it to the garbage dump. Now I get a reusable artificial tree.

rc321 · Answer

For the environment, real, the use of synthetic material to make a Christmas tree which most people would throw out after a month is very wasteful and hazardous.

rienna888 · Answer

Artificial I don’t want bugs or squirrels coming out of them!

Rob70 · Answer

B. Real is a lot of maintenance keeping watered and cleaning up the dropped needles. Plus with the added fire risk. As much as I would like to have a real tree I just can’t do it

TwinkleLily5 · Answer

I prefer artificial but my roommate prefers real so it’s a battle every year. She likes the smell of the real one and I like the look and portion of the artificial tree (non cheap looking c. Tree)

humanearth · Answer

Every year I go out in the woods with my kids and now grandkids and we cut one down

TrueConfection · Answer

Real tree! Each year I fantasize about having a prelit tree, but I love a real tree. Also, wouldn't a fake tree collect dust? How do you clean a fake tree?

Kaneki05 · Answer

Not that i like them anyway. But real tree's are more environment friendly. Though best would just to be not do either leave the tree's were they are and not make eco unfriendly artificial ones.

pup4life · Answer

I can't stand trees being cut down that have been alive for hundreds of years just for a holiday. I would say artificial for sure cuz I can use it multiple time! My family has had the same tree for just under 20 years

DonkeyDan · Answer

I can't be doing with ckearing up the mess of a real tree, despite then looking good and snelling amazing, i prefer ny artificial ones.

Saarr · Answer

Definitely real! It looks way better and it smells great, there's nothing like a real Christmas tree😊

FinalFantasyBro · Answer

I usually use an artificial tree it is more convenient plus I can constantly pack it up for next Christmas, the same of course can't be said about a real tree.

mk200195 · Answer

Artificial even though the real ones smell so good. One less tree to chop down and throw away.

menina · Answer

Definitely a fake one. Why hurting the trees when I can have one that looks like the same?

Apulu_3 · Answer

I have a real Christmas tree in my garden even though we don't celebrate it.

Uptowngirl88 · Answer

I love the smell of real trees but they also harvest bugs and have to be thrown away. I prefer artificial. They save more money, can be reused year after year, no worries of bug harvesting.

AviatorTom · Answer

I prefer a real tree but artificial is so much easier to handle.

Heartache0405 · Answer

I have a fake one. My parents have always had real ones. I guess I'm a fan of both

mobiusforniner · Answer

Fake. Easy to put away and set up. No needles on the floor

XXblack88 · Answer

I prefer real Christmas tree. But I have a artificial tree cause my cat wouldn't stay out of it.

Massageman · Answer

Give me the real. Note I didn't say I would BUY it- $50 a pop is just nutzoid. We just use the 4' top section of our 10' artificial tree

SlightlyEccentric · Answer

Even though they are a lot messier to deal with, real trees are better. A fake one is okay too but it just isn't quite the same as a real one.

cth96190 · Answer

I prefer to not kill a tree for a frivolous purpose.

Daniela1982 · Answer

Survey says women who like fake trees also like fake boobs.

Cubus · Answer

Real are prettier, but you have to clean the needles later.

I_want_a_moustache · Answer

I don’t celebrate Christmas but if I did I think artificial would be better since it happens every year there’s no use buying a new one

Xoirwinkan · Answer

Real for sure. It looks better and I consider the fake ones sacrilegious since I love natural decorations (like dried plants, cones, etc.).

najekim · Answer

We tried a real tree one year. Caused such a mess we went back to artificial ones with lights included.

spiritualgangster · Answer

I’d prefer a real Christmas tree if I didn’t have to help pick, carry, and then decorate it. .. but if I had to do all the work then an artificial one :)

faithtofallbackon · Answer

I like both, but for me having a couple cats I prefer having an artificial tree.

clampfan101 · Answer

Real ones are very nice, but I think artificial ones are good enough with much less mess.

TrueMijoPapi · Answer

Artificial because you don't need bugs running around. I know it is cold out but they would love to get into your house.

Gia013100 · Answer

Artificial don’t have to clean up needle all the time and pine smell all the time.

Joshua0213 · Answer

Real trees just make a massive mess all over the floor so fake

look44 · Answer

Yes real trees generally look (and smell) better but artificial ones are way more practical.

Minahh · Answer

We always had real one so real one. I also love how it smells.

Tim-loves-it · Answer

Artificial.  Re use, plus real trees are cut down, not recycling the CO2

TRUKIT808 · Answer

Oh real fs. I grew up in the Pacific NW n there's nothin but Christmas trees.

TsAubreyKate · Answer

It ain’t Christmas if it ain’t real (one year we had a wren in our tree) 😂 it was chirping for days

SmilesAintAgirl14 · Answer

i mean who am i to judge if you want your house to burn down?

Which do you prefer: a real Christmas tree or an artificial Christmas tree?

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