Real or Fake Christmas Tree: Which is Best for Me?

Choosing what to have for dinner at Christmas is usually straightforward, but deciding what type of Christmas tree to get can take a little longer to decide. Is a real or fake Christmas tree the way to go? And what about lights? The perfect Christmas tree can be the star topper on an already magical holiday, so find out which type is best for you.

Real Christmas Trees

Real Christmas trees are the original and, some might say, best type of tree, given their authentic, traditional nature. Arguably more work, but equally more potential reward when it’s up and ready.

Pros

Sustainable: Our real trees are grown sustainably, so for each tree cut down, another is planted in its place. They’re also grown right here in the UK, so there’s no need to import from abroad - which means a lower carbon footprint. They’re also biodegradable and can be used for mulch when Christmas is over, so there doesn’t have to be any waste.

Great smells: There are a lot of classic smells around most homes around Christmas time, but fresh pine needles, with their natural woody aroma, is the must-have fragrance for the festive season.

Authentic: A lot of fake Christmas trees are very realistic, but you still can’t beat the beauty of a real tree! 

Cons

Yearly cost: While they may have a lot of benefits to enjoy, you have to buy a new one every year. 

Watering: Real trees need watering from time to time to keep them going throughout the Christmas period. 

Falling needles: Like leaves, needles will fall off onto your floor - although our real trees from Needlefresh are called ‘non-needle drop’ as they have a reduced risk of needle shedding. You can get a beautiful tree mat, however, to make it easier to clean up any needles that do fall.

How to Look After a Real Christmas Tree

If you have a cut Christmas tree, give it a good shake on the day you buy it to get rid of any fungus that could later grow. Use a panel saw to cut about 3cm off the bottom (it will absorb more water this way), and place it in a pot of water. Once it’s in a stand, water it with at least 500mls of water every day.

If you have a pot-grown Christmas tree, shake it first of all to remove loose foliage, and help it acclimatise to a warmer environment by keeping it for a night in a shed or garage. Once inside, water it every day. 

If you’re wondering how long real Christmas trees last, with daily watering they’ll last for around five weeks or more.

Artificial Trees 

Pros

Easy to put up and zero maintenance: Christmas can already be a stressful time of year and an artificial tree is one less festive thing to worry about. Unlike real trees, they don’t need any watering, trimming or sweeping. As you can reuse it year after year, it also means you don’t have to take it outside to dispose of it when the holidays are over.

Completely customisable: Tall and lean, bushy, rustic, pre-lit, or slightly frosted with faux snow - however you like your tree, you should be able to find one to your taste.

Cheaper: Given that you buy them once to keep for years, fake Christmas trees work out cheaper in the long run than real varieties. 

No needles - No falling needles makes them great for homes with pets and young children. 

Cons

Not sustainable: They’re worse for the environment than real, sustainably grown trees, but if you keep them year after year for a long time, this will reduce your environmental impact.

Storage: Once Christmas is over, you have to find somewhere to store it. This is fine if you have plenty of room in your home but a problem if you’re short on space.

If you’ve decided artificial is the way to go, find out how to pick a fake Christmas tree in the next section, where you’ll find out all about the different types you could consider.

Pre-lit Christmas Trees

To some, wrapping and hanging dozens of lights on a tree is a fun Christmas ritual. For others, time is better spent doing a myriad of other things. Pre-lit trees come with all the lights included, ready to go for those that want to avoid the fuss. 

What are the benefits of pre-lit?

Excellent time-saver: they come with all the lights included for the ideal light display. 

Hassle-free: No fuss trying to find the box of string lights you put away last year, no tangled lights to deal with - it’s ready to shine. And as for putting it away, you don’t need to remove any separate lights as you can simply pack the tree into its box.

Fibre Optic Christmas Trees

The fibre optic tree is the ultimate time-saving option, as instead of individual lights, the tree is one giant decoration. 

What are the benefits of fibre optic?  

Fun: These trees are decorations in themselves. They’re bright and colourful, and sometimes even gently change colour. 

Hassle-free: No separate light or decoration elements. Pop it up, plug it in and you’re ready to go. 

Low everything: Energy consumption, price, and even weight are all low with a fibre optic tree.

Tabletop Christmas Trees

A tabletop tree gives you all the benefits of an artificial tree, but with a lot less space needed.

What are the benefits of a tabletop tree?

Space-saving: The perfect option if you live in a smaller space, or if you want a Christmas tree in your room or on your desk.

Affordable option: The most reasonable in price due to their size. They’ll also save you money by needing fewer lights and decorations, though some are even pre-lit and decorated to save you time.

Easy to store: Small in size, they can be popped easily in a box ready for next year. 

Ideal for homes with young children: If you have a baby crawling here, there and everywhere and putting everything they can find in their mouth, a tabletop tree placed out of the way will keep your kids safe while still providing festive charm. 

Snowy Christmas Trees

Snowy trees add the perfect winter wonderland feel to your home with their flocked finish. 

What are the benefits of a snowy tree? 

Winter wonderland effect - You can turn your home into Santa’s grotto! 

Scandi look - They bring some Scandinavian style to your home over the festive period. Dress with white and silver baubles and you’ve got yourself the perfect Nordic tree. 

Brings the outside in - You can enjoy the beauty of snow without the cold or melting ice for a truly wintry feel. 

For some inspiring Christmas tree ideas and tips on how to decorate yours, check out our guide, How to Decorate a Christmas Tree.

Whether you opt for snowy, pre-lit, other artificial designs or a sustainable real tree, it’s sure to add a festive feel to your home - it just depends which one you find more suitable to your taste. Have a browse through our range of trees to see which one suits you best, and check out our full Christmas shop for more inspiration!