Christmas trees are a main attraction when it comes to celebrating Christmas, whether you get a fake tree or a real tree, along with what kind of real tree you get. Though it may not seem like a big deal, your choice has major long-term effects.

A big thing that is brought up in this debate is that fake trees are just easier; they are less time-consuming and you don’t need to care for them like you do a real tree. Senior Elsie Philabaum said, “Fake trees are better because you don’t have to water them every day, and they are pre-lit most of the time, and they last a lot longer.”

Fake trees are preferred by many, but there are positives to getting a real tree. A lot of people who get real trees mention that they’re usually less expensive than buying a fake one. In the long run, fake trees will be cheaper since you don’t have to buy one every year. It gives people a more serene feeling, and it makes people feel cheery about the holidays. For some, going out to buy a real tree to bring it home and decorate is a family tradition. This gives some people the joy of true Christmas time. Senior Ashlyn Blair stated, “Because my parents wanted family bonding time,” and “Real trees just make it a little more Christmas-y with the scent of the tree.”

Though artificial trees may be easier for most people, they do have detrimental effects on the environment. More than 20 million fake Christmas trees are imported every year, leading to a dangerous increase in carbon emissions into the air. For environmentalists, it is challenging to decide which one is superior to the other, considering both are environmentally unacceptable. About 30 million trees were cut down for the holidays and many fight against deforestation.

Some people have allergies that prevent them from having a tree in their home. This automatically stops them from buying a real tree for the holidays. This is something that is very common and unavoidable which is a major argument for real versus fake trees. Senior Heidi Klindt said, “I think a lot of people have allergies and having a real tree would make people sneeze all the time.”

People may not think about this argument often, but it’s important to know the effects of both. When it comes to cleaning up, it’s discernible that fake trees are better. When it comes to the environment, some would say real trees are better. There are pros and cons on both sides but it comes down to a person’s opinion.