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‘Tis the holiday season again and with it comes the annual question: should people get a real or fake Christmas tree? As the weather cools and carols begin to overtake the radios, those who celebrate Christmas this holiday season have a serious choice to make. Other than being the focal point of seasonal home decor, Christmas trees have some serious folklore behind them, tracing not only from Christianity but from European Paganism as well, bringing ancient symbolism and tradition into the home along with its iconic silhouette.
That being said, in this age of Christmas commercialization it’s time that the facets of each choice were compared and contrasted to create an objective basis for picking between the two. Personally, my family has always gone with our trusty old fake tree, all plastic, wire and built-in lights fused to the branches. This year however will be different as it’s my first year having a real tree in the house, evergreen and all, so having the experience of both is certainly helpful in choosing on my own for future Christmases.
Real Christmas trees are of course the classic choice for keeping up with this timeless holiday tradition. With their fragrant scent and beautiful greenery, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of a real tree in the house. Admittedly, I was skeptical of how much of a difference having a real tree would bring. When it had been fully set up, however, I was pleasantly surprised at how pungent the scent of pine was throughout the room and how the branches looked like real branches (because they are), which elevated the look of it. Though with all these pros there’s bound to be a con or two . . . or many. The process of delivery and setup is a pain; between strapping the tree to the car, hosting an at least four-person struggle with the tree stand and accompanying security screws and finally the annoyances of water level upkeep and perpetually vacuuming the fallen needles. I’m not going to lie, while it’s certainly the most aesthetic of all the Christmas trees I’ve had, it’s difficult to maintain. Despite this though, a true Christmas tree still brings nature indoors in an enjoyable way, providing a centerpiece for holiday celebrations and creating a cozy atmosphere that’s seemingly worth the struggle.
Originally the tradition of bringing a whole tree into the home began with just a few branches. During the winter celebration of Yuletide, a pagan holiday, families would bring Fir trees into the home due to the belief that their evergreen branches represented longevity, everlasting life and fertility. But the specifics of decorating Christmas trees dates back to Germany in the 16th century, where it was believed that by adding candles and ornaments to the trees, the light would help guide lost souls back to the light on the longest night of the year. As the religious sentiment in Europe shifted from Paganism to Catholicism and Christianity, the symbolism of the Yule tree translated into that of the Christmas tree, specifically the everlasting life and fertility fading into the background in place of the virgin birth of Christ.
In modern times though, if you want something to live forever we just make it out of plastic, hence instead of ever-green Firs cut from a forest, you only need to wander to the nearest Target where any size, shape and even color (ever-pink anybody?) is available for all your holiday needs. There are also no messy needles to clean up and no water to worry about, making the artificial tree a fan favorite of busy families like mine. Plus, with modern technology, fake Christmas trees have come a long way, featuring fairly lifelike branches and faux snowy foliage. Many even include pre-lit lights and decorative features, making setup a breeze. And for those looking for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option, a fake Christmas tree may be the way to go. With their long-lasting quality and versatility, fake Christmas trees are a sound investment, saving money and reducing waste in the long run. Plus, they can be reused year after year, so you can have that classic holiday look without the mess and hassle of a real tree. I never had an issue with my family’s old tree, it was always up in a matter of fifteen to twenty minutes, made minimal mess and looked pretty good especially considering we’ve had it since I was born. It was convenient and allowed us to get set up, done and over with quickly. Unfortunately, man-made creations are just as fallible as the people that make them. Despite a fake tree’s durability, like anything else with enough time, it will look a little rough: some of the built-in lights can go out or crack and are unable to be fixed, branches can get raggedy with ornaments scraping on and off continuously and if you have pets like me, then you know that they like to chew on anything inedible they can find. Annoyingly, plantlike plastic points make the perfect nibble for a puppy or kitty hellbent on throwing up green later. Besides this though, fake trees are a perfectly reasonable option for those who appreciate efficiency without sacrificing too much of aesthetics.
Ultimately, the choice between a real or fake Christmas tree comes down to personal preference. While there’s certainly something special about the charm of a real Christmas tree, a fake tree offers convenience, sustainability and flexibility that works better for some people. Whether you choose real or fake, however, the most important thing is to enjoy the season with the ones you love. So take a whiff of that fresh pine scent, get that piece of plastic tree out of your pet’s mouth and admire whichever tree you and your family have set up together.
