Christmas Outlet

Each year, the debate continues on whether to get a real Christmas tree or an artificial one. Families from all over world seem to have their minds made up and their choices clear. Christmas traditions are started and the lines are drawn. Which side of the controversy do you fall on? If you’re still undecided, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Christmas Tree Affordability

Contrary to popular belief, artificial Christmas trees are far more affordable than live ones. Yes, you can easily spend up to $300 on an artificial tree and just $40 on a real one, but when you buy an artificial tree, you are only making that purchase once. With live trees, you have to buy them again and again, year after year. The affordability of artificial Christmas trees really becomes obvious when you buy them on clearance after the holidays. They’re usually on sale for fifty, sixty or sometimes seventy percent off. If you find a clearance deal on a $300 tree for half off or less, then the artificial Christmas tree becomes a lot more affordable than live ones.

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Fire Safety

Once upon a time, many people believed that live Christmas trees posed a fire danger and that’s why they converted to artificial trees instead. While this may have been true at one point in time, it’s really not as much of a concern anymore. As long as you use safe lights that don’t give off heat and keep your tree watered and properly maintained, there should be little to no danger of fire.

It’s All A Matter of Convenience

When it comes to convenience, artificial and live Christmas trees are pretty much equal. Yes, with a live Christmas tree you have to vacuum up needles, but you also don’t have to spend hours putting together the branches and lights. (Unless you have a pre-lit tree like me. Then it’s like opening up an umbrella and viola! – just start decorating!) So the debate comes down to this . . . live and artificial Christmas trees both have a place in the traditional holiday season. It’s all really a matter of personal preference.