Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees

Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday tradition which has been in effect for hundreds of years and will probably be in effect until the end of time. Choosing whether you want a real Christmas tree or an artificial Christmas tree is a dilemma which many of us face every year. There are many benefits to both forms of trees but there are many disadvantages as well.

Here are a few things to consider when deciding which form of Christmas tree would be best suited for you and your family:

Artificial Christmas Trees

  • Artificial trees eliminate the hassle of having to find time to go and specially choose a Christmas tree from the lot.

  • Another great thing about artificial trees is they do not need to be watered and the needles will not fall off and create a mess in your house.

  • The money you will save by purchasing an artificial Christmas tree can be spent on more presents for your children or possibly other forms of decorations.

  • Artificial Christmas trees can be put up earlier and stay up longer than real Christmas trees.

  • This type of tree is less of a fire hazard because the needles are not real.

Real Christmas Trees

  • Real Christmas trees look more attractive and have a fragrance like pine needles. Some families live for the smell of their tree at Christmas time.

  • It is tradition for a number of families to go cut the tree. It's a family outing where you go and specifically choose the one you want every year.

  • Real Christmas trees pose a fire hazard when the branches become dry and hot from the Christmas lights.

  • Real Christmas trees have to be maintained and well-kept. This includes watering and removing the dead needles which have fallen under the tree.

Ultimately the decision is yours and you will choose the kind of tree that best suits your family and your preferences. If you want a tree which requires very little maintenance then maybe an artificial one would be better suited for you.

Your Christmas will be wonderful regardless of the type of tree you choose because this holiday is about loving, giving and being thankful for what you have.

Catherine Spelling is a retired interior designer who now uses her decorating talents to make holidays an eye catching event. She is a freelance writer for http://www.christmaslightsanddecorations.com - a site that offers tips for choosing Christmas ornaments, picking out Christmas lights and decorations, tips for choosing holiday wreaths, and more.

In The News:


Pyramid selling ... how the credit crunch has changed our summer ...
Sunday Herald, UK - 4 hours ago
But when it comes to holidays, we have done quite the opposite. Instead of staying at home and counting our coppers, more Britons have left their mounting ...

10 great green and ethical holidays
Times Online, UK - 4 hours ago
It’s rare to get all three in one holiday. Now you can, courtesy of the latest hotlist of eco-destinations At one time, choosing a holiday was a no-brainer. ...

Hamish McRae: The slide in sterling may have spoilt our holidays ...
Independent, UK - 4 hours ago
The fall against the euro has done more than make holidays abroad more expensive and the fall against the dollar has done more than stop us benefiting from ...

Govt offices paralysed as staff enjoy holidays
Times of India, India - Sep 5, 2008
Panaji: The Goa administration has been literally paralysed with government staff coinciding their leave with the Ganesh festival holidays. ...

Cruise holidays better value than 10 years ago.
4Hoteliers, Hong Kong - 2 hours ago
Whilst the cost of everyday household items and food increases, it seems that the cost of holidays has dropped significantly. Cruise holidays, once the ...

BBC News

Holiday key to school standards?
BBC News, UK - Sep 5, 2008
There were those with webbed feet who had spent their holiday in the UK and those who could remember that the bright light in the sky is something called ...
KILLER STORMS Daily Star
Summer washout and more rain on the way Sunderland Echo
all 622 news articles

'Holidays (Are) on Us' This Winter from Vail Resorts
MarketWatch - Sep 5, 2008
Vail Resorts unveils the ultimate lodging deal for the 2008-2009 winter season with a free night of lodging on the busiest holidays at top-rated Colorado ...
Vail Resorts offers 'last chance' sale Summit Daily News
Colorado Five Mountain Pass Has Something For Everyone OnTheSnow.com
all 16 news articles

Boston Globe

Amazon to sell OLPC XO Laptop over the holidays
Yahoo! Tech, CA - Sep 5, 2008
Last holiday season, the OLPC went on sale as part of a "Give 1 Get 1" promotion, and today, Nicholas Negroponte has confirmed the program is coming back at ...
Amazon to Manage XO Laptop Giveaway Program Xconomy
OLPC partners with Amazon, ITU LinuxDevices.com
all 62 news articles

Self Catering South Africa - your holidays in South Africa
News4Press.com (Pressemitteilung), Switzerland - 14 hours ago
The KwaZulu-Natal North Coast holiday accommodation provides the opportunity to experience secure coastal living whilst reconnecting with nature. ...

Boston Globe

New ipods set to hit market in time for holidays
National Post, Canada - Sep 3, 2008
As Apple Inc. nears a milestone of selling four million iPhone 3G's, investors should focus on the company's new holiday product lineup, expected to be ...
Come September: iPods Macworld
Apple September 9th iPod event confirmed SlashGear
all 318 news articles
holidays - Google News


Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Seven Valentine?s Day Tips for Spouses in ?Less-Than-Perfect? Marriages

Valentine's Day can be a depressing day when you're in... Read More

Fun Halloween Ideas

Looking for interesting Halloween ideas? Perhaps you are looking for... Read More

12 Things That Make Life Worthwhile!

Happy New Year! Around the world, this is a time... Read More

Thanksgiving Memories

Turkey ... Stuffing ... Cranberry Sauce ... Pumpkin PieThis is... Read More

The Origins Of Mothers Day

Today Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday is celebrated all over... Read More

Ideas For Toddler Halloween Costumes

Depending on the age of your little ones, you may... Read More

The Origins of Mothers Day

Mother's Day is, in many countries, a day for celebrating... Read More

10 Stress Free Tips to Pamper Mom This Mothers Day

Mothers Day is the day we set aside each year... Read More

Funny Couples Costume Ideas For Halloween

Tired of the same old typical Halloween costumes. You know... Read More

A Mothers Day Prayer! Mamma Whispered Softly!

Patty Lovelace Country MusicVerse #1 Through the back window of... Read More

Lets NOT Talk Turkey

The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love... Read More

Halloween & Hounds

Halloween is "fright night" for humans not dogs. Screaming, running,... Read More

Christmas Shopping Online Might Or Might Not Be For Everyone: This Article Shows How Doing It Onlin

Christmas shopping online is not for you? If you are... Read More

Give Presence Not Presents

Throughout the year we have many gift-giving opportunities to show... Read More

Kid Birthday Party Game Ideas - 7 Proven Winners

Here are 7 classic kid birthday party game ideas that... Read More

Successful Holiday Gift Giving Starts with a Plan

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the... Read More

Use H-O-L-L-Y to Beat Christmas Cooking Stress

What does holly, that untidy traditional greenery you just have... Read More

Whatever Happened to Christmas?

Remember when no one started Christmas shopping until after Thanksgiving?Wisconsin... Read More

The Origin of the Christmas Tree

Have you ever wondered why we decorate a tree for... Read More

Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas is a magical time of year, both for kids... Read More

What Is The Easter In Your Business?

Easter 2005 is coming, Sunday March 27, and Christians worldwide... Read More

Secrets to a Stress Free Holiday

December and all the excitement that comes with it can... Read More

The Spirit of Fathers Day

Some time ago I received a gift from both of... Read More

Make Every Day a Mothers Day!

The word mother and mothers day are simple, yet powerful... Read More

Experience Mothers Day In A Whole New Way

Mother's Day is the day when sons, daughters and husbands... Read More