During the festive season, there are so many decisions to make: from choosing the right gifts for your loved ones to choosing the best paper napkins for the table, having to then choose between an artificial and real Christmas tree is enough to overwhelm even the most well-organised person.

Your Christmas tree is likely to be the largest investment you’ll make for your festive decorating, so it’s important to choose an option that works with your budget, lifestyle, and sustainability preferences.

With both options offering unique benefits, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons to find the one that best suits your needs this holiday season.

Pros and Cons of Real Christmas Trees

For many people, a real Christmas tree is all about tradition. It brings that familiar, nostalgic feel, and for some, it’s not Christmas without the fresh pine smell. But while real trees have their charm, they come with a bit more maintenance. You'll be cleaning up fallen needles throughout the festive season, so a Christmas tree skirt is definitely a must if you go for a real tree. 

Pros

1.       You’ll smell a real tree before you see it. If you love that pine aroma that seems to fill your home, a real Christmas tree is the best way to get that authentic scent. While you can use candles and diffusers to recreate the smell, a real tree has a traditional charm and nostalgic feel, especially if you had real Christmas trees as a child.

2.       Real trees are often an eco-friendly option as they’re biodegradable with most Christmas tree farms using sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint.

3.       Christmas tree farms can also be a lovely day out for the whole family, and this often turns into its own yearly tradition.

Cons

1.       On the flip side, real trees require a fair bit of care. They shed needles, which means you’ll need to clean up regularly.

2.       You’ll also need to water the tree daily to keep it fresh. Even with proper care, a real tree only lasts a few weeks indoors.

3.       Finding the right size tree for your space can take a bit of time. Artificial trees often come with size specifications which are more convenient – it’s hard to get it wrong.

4.       Real trees need to be properly recycled at the end of the season, which is a tiring task when you’re already exhausted from the festivities.

5.       If you’re allergic to pollen, dust, or mould, you might want to consider the fact that real trees can sometimes carry allergens.

Pros and Cons of Artificial Christmas Trees

An artificial Christmas tree may cost more upfront, but with the right care and storage it can last for many years. If you don’t want to deal with the mess and maintenance of a real tree, this could be a great option. They’re particularly good for people with allergies or anyone looking for a low-maintenance holiday option. Artificial Christmas trees aren’t for everyone, but they’re a great option if you have the storage space.

Pros

1.       Even though artificial trees come with a higher price tag initially, they quickly pay for themselves. You can get several years of use out of a well-made artificial tree, making it a good long-term investment. You can even hand down the tree to future generations.

2.       There's no need for watering, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning up dropped needles.

3.       If you have allergies, you don’t need to worry about being allergic. Our Christmas trees are made with non-toxic, industry-standard materials, enduring that they’re safe for humans and their furry friends. There shouldn’t be any materials that cause allergies to flare up.

4.       It’s easier to find the right artificial tree for you as they’re designed to be perfectly symmetrical and come in a variety of styles, including potted Christmas trees and snow-flocked Christmas trees. Our Ultimate Tree Guide helps you find the right artificial tree to suit your space.

5.       You can have a snow-covered (also known as snow-flocked) artificial tree, meaning you can bring the winter wonderland magic inside! For a guide to deciding on snow-flocked or non-flocked trees, check out our blog post here.

Cons

The drawbacks of artificial trees are less extreme than real trees.

1.       Although these trees are non-biodegradable due to their PVC materials, using your artificial tree for at least 8 years will offset its environmental footprint.

2.       While the initial price tag might tempt you to buy a real Christmas tree, it’s important to consider it as a long-term investment.

3.       While you won’t have the natural pine fragrance of a real tree, the main drawback of an artificial tree is finding where to store it. Our Christmas tree storage bag makes it easy to pack your tree away safely.