For years the only decision to make when shopping for a Christmas tree was between real pine and real fir. But that all changed in the 1930s, when the Addis Brush company came out with it’s first artificial Christmas tree prototype. Since then of course, the number of real Christmas tress sold in the United States has declined considerably. From 2000 to 2003 alone, real Christmas tree sales dropped from 32 million to 23.5 million. Does this mean that the true spirit of Christmas in waining, only to be replaced by some artificial counterpart? Not necessarily. In fact there are distinct pros and cons to both artificial and real Christmas trees. Take a look and decide for yourself.
Real Christmas Trees
Is there nothing like the real thing? Certainly there are plenty of reasons why real Christmas trees are still the number one choice for millions of Americans. Not least of these is the carrying on of an age-old tradition. There is perhaps nothing quite like the family hunt to find the ‘perfect tree’, the challenge of getting it home in one piece, and the satisfaction of seeing it adorned with decorations and smelling that natural, fresh scent of balsam fir emanating throughout the home. And if this experience has come to be a large part of your Christmas tradition, then surely there can be no true substitute.
Artificial Christmas Trees
Unfortunately in these economically uncertain times, the luxury of buying a real Christmas tree year after year – added to the already substantial cost of Christmas – is not something that all families are able to afford. And whereas artificial Christmas trees may be slightly more expensive than real ones, they last for many years, meaning that your savings over that period will be considerable. The other main advantage to artificial trees is their convenience. Simply pull it out of the attic, piece it together and you’re done. No stress, no haggling with a Christmas tree salesman, and no messy needles all over the floor.
The Verdict
Essentially, the type of Christmas tree you buy is a personal choice. If you are a sentimentalist at heart, you may find that an artificial tree simply does not evoke the spirit of Christmas. However, if you are on a budget or don’t need the added stress of acquiring and erecting a real tree, a good quality artificial one from Bright Lightz is definitely for you.