Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Weighing Up the Pros and Cons

The great debate between real and artificial Christmas trees tends to come to the fore each holiday season. 

Whether you're a fan of the fresh pine scent or prefer the convenience of an artificial option, each type of tree offers unique advantages and drawbacks. 

Here, we explore the pros and cons of both real and artificial Christmas trees to help you choose the one that best suits your Christmas season needs.

Real Christmas Trees

Pros:

Authentic Christmas Experience: A real tree brings an unmatched festive charm to your home. With the fresh pine scent filling the air, there's a certain magic to bringing a natural piece of the forest into your living room.

Environmentally Friendly (When Responsibly Sourced): Real trees are a renewable resource, with many tree farms replanting one to three trees for every one harvested. Biodegradable and recyclable, they can be turned into mulch or compost after the season.

Supports Local Farmers: Many Christmas trees are grown on local farms, particularly in rural areas. By choosing a real tree, you’re often supporting British farmers and their businesses.

Customisable Shapes and Sizes: Real trees grow in unique shapes, so you can often find one that perfectly fits your available space and decor style.

Cons:

Maintenance Required: Real trees need regular watering to stay fresh and are prone to dropping needles, which can be messy and require frequent clean-up.

Limited Lifespan: A real tree only lasts about four to six weeks, so timing is key to avoid it drying out before Christmas. For those who like to decorate early, this might mean a trip back to the tree farm.

Allergies and Pests: Some people experience allergies from real trees, and occasionally, they might bring in small insects from the outdoors, though this is rare with quality vendors.

Needles: Pine needles in the feet can come very sharp!

Cost Varies Annually: Prices for real trees can vary based on location, size, and the general market. Over the years, this could add up compared to a one-time investment in an artificial tree. 

Artificial Christmas Trees

Pros:

Low Maintenance: Artificial trees don’t require watering, and there’s no worry about shedding needles. Once it’s up, it will look as good on Christmas morning as it did when you first set it up.

Reusable and Cost-Effective Over Time: Although they require an initial investment, artificial trees can be used for many years, potentially making them more economical in the long run.

Variety of Options: Artificial trees come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colours, from traditional green to modern white or even pre-lit options. Many models also mimic the look of real trees, such as pine or fir, offering a natural aesthetic without the upkeep.

No Mess, No Allergens: Unlike real trees, artificial ones don’t drop needles or trigger pollen allergies, making them a good choice for families sensitive to seasonal allergens.

Cons:

Environmental Impact: Artificial trees are made from PVC and other plastics, often with metal parts, which can make them difficult to recycle. Manufacturing and transporting them generates a larger carbon footprint than harvesting real trees.

No Fresh Pine Smell: Artificial trees lack the natural pine aroma that many people associate with Christmas. While pine-scented candles or sprays can substitute, it’s not quite the same as the real thing.

Storage Requirements: Once the holidays are over, an artificial tree needs to be stored for the rest of the year. Depending on the size of the tree and your available storage space, this could be a challenge.

Durability Issues: Despite being built to last, artificial trees can start to look worn over the years. Branches may weaken, and the colours can fade, particularly with cheaper models.

Which Should You Choose?

The decision between a real and an artificial Christmas tree ultimately comes down to personal preference, lifestyle, and budget. If you value the charm and tradition of a fresh tree and don’t mind the upkeep, a real tree could bring that extra touch of magic to your holiday. However, if you prioritise convenience, sustainability over time, and have the storage space, an artificial tree may be the perfect fit.

Whichever you choose, Christmas is about creating memories, sharing joy, and celebrating with loved ones—real tree or artificial, that’s the most important thing of all.

Creating Family Traditions: Letting Your Children Help Decorate the Christmas Tree

Christmas is a magical time, especially for children. One of the most cherished traditions for many families is decorating the Christmas tree.

While some may be tempted to carefully craft a picture-perfect tree, there’s something truly heartwarming about involving your children in the process, even if it results in a slightly wonky design.

Letting your little ones help decorate the Christmas tree not only enhances the festive spirit but also creates lasting memories and a sense of togetherness.

Why Involving Children Matters

Decorating the Christmas tree as a family is more than just an activity; it’s an opportunity to nurture your children’s creativity and let them feel a part of the Christmas preparations. For children, it’s a way to contribute to the holiday magic and see their own creativity displayed in the heart of the home. The sense of pride they feel when hanging their favourite baubles or untangling lights is an important part of fostering self-confidence and involvement.

It also teaches valuable lessons in collaboration and patience. As every family knows, children can have different ideas of what looks good. Negotiating where to place that glittery reindeer ornament or how many tinsel strands to hang teaches them that everyone’s input is important.

Making It Fun and Meaningful

The key to a successful tree-decorating session with children is to make it fun and relaxed. Here are a few tips to help guide the process:

1. Set a Festive Mood

Turn up the Christmas music, brew some hot chocolate, and fill the room with festive cheer before you start decorating. You want to create an environment where your children feel excited and engaged. Let them know that this is a special time, not just for decorating but for spending quality time together.

2. Pick Child-Friendly Decorations

If your tree is adorned with precious glass ornaments, it might be wise to invest in a few child-friendly alternatives. Felt, wood, or plastic decorations can be just as beautiful and much safer for little hands. You can even make a tradition of crafting some new ornaments together each year, adding a personal touch to the tree.

3. Give Them a Special Role

Assign each child a specific task—whether it's fluffing the tree branches, draping the lights, or hanging ornaments in a designated area. If you’re worried about uneven decoration distribution (we’ve all seen the tree with all the ornaments clumped together at toddler height), you can let them decorate the lower half while you handle the upper part. You might be surprised at how proud they feel with even a small role.

4. Embrace Imperfections

Resist the urge to rearrange the ornaments after your children have gone to bed! The charm of a family-decorated Christmas tree lies in its imperfections. Sure, there might be an odd clump of tinsel or a cluster of ornaments on one side, but it tells a story—your family’s story. Let your tree be a reflection of the joy and excitement your children bring to the holiday season.

5. Reflect on Past Christmases

As you hang up each ornament, take the time to reminisce with your children. Maybe there’s a star they made in nursery, or a decoration you’ve had for years. Talking about the significance of each piece helps children understand the importance of family traditions and gives them a deeper appreciation for the holiday.

The Benefits Beyond Christmas

Letting your children help decorate the Christmas tree is more than just a holiday task. It’s a chance to strengthen family bonds, teach responsibility, and build confidence. Children take pride in being part of something special, and those early memories of helping to decorate the family tree will likely stay with them long after they’ve grown up.

So, this Christmas, embrace the joy of imperfection, pour a mug of mulled cider, and let your children’s creativity shine on the tree. The end result will be more than just a beautifully decorated Christmas tree—it will be a tree filled with love, laughter, and memories that you’ll treasure forever.

By the way, if you have pets, make sure your Christmas tree and Christmas decorations are pet-friendly and pet-safe.

Happy Christmas decorating!