How to Pick Between a Live or Artificial Christmas Tree

Choosing between a live and artificial Christmas tree is a decision that rests on several factors. For many people, it's an emotional decision, and nothing but a live tree will do, as real evergreen trees are more traditional and may recall childhood Christmases. For others celebrating Christmas, an artificial tree is easier to deal with. The choice ultimately reflects one's personal values and sentiments about the Christmas holiday.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A Christmas tree stand

1. Decide whether an allergy to live evergreen trees prevents you from bringing one into your home. An artificial tree doesn't trigger allergic reactions.
2. Consider whether you want to spend money every year on a live tree or whether you prefer to buy an artificial tree that you can use year after year.
3. Assess the size of the space where you will display a tree. Artificial trees are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, whereas live trees are often around the same height--about six feet tall--unless you go to a tree farm and cut one down yourself.
4. Think about upkeep of a Christmas tree. A live tree will drop its needles when it begins to dry out and the acts of bringing it into the house and back outside again can create a mess, with needles everywhere. An artificial tree doesn't leave a mess and should be easy to put up and take down.
5. Judge whether you have the storage space to keep an artificial tree packed away all year long. A live tree takes up no storage space and can be recycled.
6. Remember the fresh, woodsy smell of a live Christmas tree. If this smell and all it evokes appeals to you, a live tree may be what you want. An artificial tree doesn't have this outdoorsy scent.

Tips & Warnings

• Live Christmas trees are grown in the United States by American farmers, whereas artificial Christmas trees are manufactured abroad, mostly in China.
• A live Christmas tree is a more environmentally friendly choice, if that aspect of tree selection matters to you.

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