Real Vs. Artificial Christmas Trees, Which One Is Right For You?

Struggling over whether to cut down your own Christmas tree this year or just go to Wal-Mark to pick up an artificial one? Many people don't feel that it's Christmas without a real pine-smelling Christmas tree, while others have realized the convenience of an artificial tree. Following are some tips to help you decide.

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Mess

An artificial tree will leave decidedly less mess than a real Christmas tree. Since the needles are synthetic and it doesn't require water, you can have a Christmas tree without all of the spilled water and dropped pine needles. Plus, pets who swallow pine needles can become ill.

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Smell

A real Christmas tree has that heavenly pine scent that simply can't be recreated with an artificial tree. Even if you purchase artificial scent along with your artificial tree, it just won't be the same.

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Hassle

Obviously, it takes much less work to bring home a Christmas tree in a box than to find a real Christmas tree. Even if you're just going down to the store to pick out a pre-cut Christmas tree, you've got to figure out a way to get it home, which is made even more difficult in areas that receive snow.

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Storage

Real Christmas trees can be thrown out with the trash when the holiday season has reached its end. Artificial trees, however, will have to be stored until next year. You'll need a spot in a closet, the garage or the attic where the tree can hibernate until next Christmas.

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Weight

Depending on the type of artificial tree you purchase, most are much lighter weight than the real thing. You can move it without the water dish attached to the bottom - in fact, it'll slide right across a tile floor. If you decide it looks better in the dining room than in the living area, you won't have to worry about throwing your back out.

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Set-Up

Real Christmas trees come "fully set up", but artificial trees require a little more work. You'll have to attach all the "branches" to the plastic trunk and shape the needles so they fill in the gaps. A real Christmas tree requires no such primping.

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Money

Although artificial Christmas trees will be a larger one-time purchase, you will not have to go out and buy a new one every year. The money that you save by not buying a real Christmas tree every year can be spent on presents for family members or on new ornaments.

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Tradition

Some people hate the idea of purchasing an artificial Christmas tree because it defies tradition. If you and your family look forward to going out and picking up a Christmas tree every year, then you might not want to go with an artificial one.