I posted a little late today. I was up late last night redesigning my design site, Mila Design Co. I finally got my act together and made it pretty. Go check it out (shameless plug)!
I know I may be one of the few here. What the heck…I’m probably the only one, but I’m just going to go on a limb here with this post. I refuse to buy a real tree. There I said it, just please don’t hate me and hear me out.
Before anyone says “Uhh, Lisette…it’s tradition,” can I just say that artificial trees can be a tradition, too? I only had one “real” tree when I was growing up. The constant sweeping of needles and watering an albatross of a plant made us regret our adventurous attempts of trying to be “American.” Every immigrant I knew in New York City had artificial trees. It was just the way of life. Sure, there were always dead and mutilated live trees on corners for sale, but they never lured me in.
Think about it. Climate change is happening around the world due to astronomical amounts of carbon dioxide polluting our air and trapping greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. It’s real and it’s already happening despite people telling you otherwise…as evidenced by stronger hurricanes and typhoons, and the frozen Midwest right now.
Every year on Earth Day people plant a tree. Yet here we are every November and December chopping down the solution to climate change. Call me a tree-hugger (no pun intended) but I think it’s a tradition that needs to be reevaluated.
I’ve probably already lost every “traditionalist” by now, but I also want to make the case for artificial/fake trees. Sure, real trees are recyclable, but artificial trees are recyclable as well. The difference is that I’ll keep this tree around for 10 years or so. That’s 10 years that those 10 trees get to stay in the ground. Not to mention the exponential amounts of oxygen they’ll pump into our air. (Does the real tree still sound that appealing?)
“But wait Lisette! You’re missing out on the smell of a REAL tree!” To that I say, go outside and get some fresh air and smell the roses (or trees in this scenario). That, or buy Scentcicles. We have them on our (gasp!) fake tree and the house smells like nature came inside.
Most traditionalists love the process of picking out their Christmas tree. I think decorating the “fake” tree is as much of a tradition as picking out a “real” tree. No?
Alright, traditionalists. That’s all I have. Come and get me.
Jessica says
I have a fake tree, and I have ever since I can even remember. My family has never, ever had a real one. To me, a fake tree is the tradition :) And when I moved out of my parent’s house a few years ago, my grandmother gave me her fake tree to use, since she was moving into a retirement home and didn’t need one. So I’ve recycled one already! haha.
Lisette says
Yay for reusing fake things! Love it!
And I’m sure your grandmother’s tree had sentimental significance because of its previous owner.
Stephanie says
I never had a real tree growing up and I definitely didn’t miss it. Now that I’m married to someone who’s allergic to pine trees, its even more of a reason for us to stick with our traditional artificial tree! Besides, it seems like a lot more work than its worth to throw out after a few weeks.
Lisette says
My husband is allergic to real trees too. It’s something I forgot to mention. Even just the Scentcicles gave him allergies.
But I agree. It does seem like a lot of work to just throw away (although I do hope people recycle them!).
What do people do with the string lights? Do they save them for next year or just leave them in the tree?
Hillary says
We ALWAYS had a real tree growing up…probably mostly because my Dad sells them! I looked HARD for a fake Christmas tree when I moved down south, I figured it made more sense economically. But I found that I could never find one that I loved as much as a REAL Christmas Tree, so my MR agreed to let me get my Real Tree this year :) He said if it only took $60 once a year to make me happy for Christmas then I could keep my real tree :)
Lisette says
It took a long time for me to find a fake one I liked as well. The key is to look for the number of branch tips. Mine has approx. 1400 branch tips.
The really gorgeous and full ones have around 1800 branch tips or so. It’s certainly possible to find a gorgeous artificial tree!
Betsy says
I don’t think you have to have one. It’s all about personal preference or in our case money and space! We have a cute little fake one we got 50% off at Target last year and it still works just fine. I do miss the real one but that’s why I like to visit my parents more at this time of year.
Lisette says
Betsy–you are so right. You don’t need a tree.
Because, the REAL reason for the season isn’t a tree at all….
Mandy says
Growing up we always had an artificial tree so and I don’t think I realized how many people actually got real trees. We have two little baby fake trees right now, one I bought as a freshman and the other came from my parents. My husband decided that next year we should try a real tree. I’m excited to try it out but I have a feeling it won’t stick haha. I love to hear everyone’s opinion on this!
Kristyn says
Growing up we always had a real tree. And it was a hassle. Now, I am all about that fake, pre-lit gem of a tree. It is perfect every year and I love it. It might be a little too short, but I don’t care. I didn’t have to go pick it out, load it on a truck, lug it up the stairs and into our place. No lost needles here! Woo hoo.
Bethany K says
My fam is definitely a real tree family, but now that we’re in a small apartment, it just doesn’t make sense to bring in a huge tree (oh, and no car either, so how would we even get it here?). So we’ve started using a fake one (my hub and I).
And honestly I’ve never put together the Earth Day connection. We totally plant trees one day a year then cut ’em down a few months later! That’s crazy. I mean, there are Christmas tree farms where folks grow trees just to cut them down for Christmas. But still! You make a very compelling argument!
Nicole @ Treasure Tromp says
preach girl! I love artificial trees! I always had one growing up and am thinking of switching back (we had a real one last year). You are so right on about how hypocritical it is to rant about planting trees and then set up farms to only cut them down. I love that you guys rock the artificial tree.
ps thanks for linking up with Treat Yo Self!
Lacey @ Sunny + Turquoise says
Waaait, so we are one of the few?? Just kidding, but honestly I have never in my life had a real tree and don’t feel deprived. I’m on the lazy side, but an artificial tree just seems like so much less work and I can keep it up for however long I want with it being maintenance free! And I can spend the money that would go towards a real tree on other Christmas-y traditions. I say artificial tree people unite.
Lisette says
Girrrrrl. Look around blog land. So many bloggers write about going out and finding the “perfect tree.” Granted, many of these are friends of mine (sorry friends!) but it doesn’t change how I feel.
Even in first grade I tried buying flowers seeds to help save the rainforest. I can’t help it. Haha.
Rachel says
We have fake trees too– yep, 2 of them. We can have two trees because it’s affordable and sustainable. Boom!
-Rachel
Lisette says
BOOM!
P. S. The DH doesn’t know it yet, but in a few years we will have 2 fake trees too. Love it!
Rachel G says
A fake tree has always felt much more “traditional” to me than a real one, because that’s what I grew up with too–the tradition of “putting the tree together” every year instead of cutting it down.
Tara says
I’m all about the fake tree! We never had a real one when I was growing up, and I just have no desire to try it now (it seems like a lot more work, and what about the flammability)? We actually have my husband’s grandparents’ old tree and it is beautiful.
Lisette says
YES!!!! Another thing I forgot to mention. Having to water said real tree while it was so close to electricity was another concern that year. Not worth the risk!
Whitney @ Everything Happens For a Reason says
Growing up, I always had a fake tree. While my husband always had a real tree. So, we began the tradition of picking out a real tree. I love it, but it does make me a little sad that after a month or so, it goes in the garbage because it’s dead :-(
Allison says
I’m pro artificial trees! I never had a real tree growing up so 2 years ago my husband got one. We had it barely a week before we declared “never again!”. Maybe if I went to an actually tree farm and picked one out and cut it myself I would feel better about it, but going to the local parking lot and picking one out doesn’t do it for me. I’ll be decorating my artificial tree this weekend.
Anna says
In with you! I want to go artificial!! So much less hassle and still just as fun to decorate!! Do you have a pre-lit?
Lisette says
Yes! Pre-lit! It was SO easy! The pole itself is powered and I even have a foot on/off switch. Easiest tree ever!
Corinne says
We never had a real tree when growing up, my best friend had one every year and it made me really jealous. As an adult now myself, we don’t have a tree at all, haha..
Corinne x
http://www.skinnedcartree.com
Savannah Smiled says
AMEEEEEEN! I never remember having a real tree. And I don’t want the hassle of one. I photographed a family when they got their real tree for this year…which made for some great images…but, not for me!
Amanda >> Living in Another Language says
As you already know Lisette, I’m a pro-real tree at christmas. I get what you’re saying about the environment, but I also lived in a part of the country that would plant a gazillion trees JUST FOR Christmas in fields that wouldn’t have otherwise been populated by trees at all. I’m talking about thousands. It’s really pretty. And they’re all at different stages of life, so have big ones in one field, small ones in another, and baby ones in another. They chop down the one field then grow more (to my understanding) the next planting season. The NW is huge into real trees. :)
Have no problems with artificial lovers though! Living in Asia, not a single real Christmas tree is in sight! I’ve had my artificial for two years now, and it’s served us well.
Lisette says
:) I knew someone would make that point. Yes I realize there are farms just for Christmas trees. I (personally) can’t justify it. I didn’t write this to offend or upset anyone. It’s just one of the many random thoughts I have :)
I’m glad they make so many people happy, though. Christmas is about joy.
Love you!
Kate says
I had never considered it like this but oh my goodness, YES. We only had maybe 2 real trees whilst I was growing up and then my Mum had enough of cleaning up around it every couple of days. I don’t feel like I missed out at all the years we had artificial trees. If anything, the only difference is less mess!
Kelsey says
you make a good point!!
Kate says
I have a similar story. Growing up, we did a real tree one year and were still picking needles out of our feet in March! Everyone at our house hated it! I too, kind of, get sad when I see all the real trees sitting outside the stores waiting to be bought. I realized that most of them were “farmed” but still, it makes me sad.
So, Adam and I will continue to ride the fake tree bandwagon forever! Besides, a real tree would only invite a hiked leg from our Deacon and a climbing from our cats!
-Kate
http://www.theflorkens.com
Lisette says
I totally agree with you. Even though they’re farmed to me it still doesn’t justify it.
And I have a male dog too. Haha.
Kenzie says
We bought a fake tree this year, not only is it cheaper but it is more environmentally friendly since we don’t have to chop a tree down. My dad used to plant trees after he was in the forest service :)
Lisette says
I’m so glad he does! That makes me happy :)
Yay for fake tree people!
Chantal says
As a fellow tree-hugger I hear you on this! I don’t buy a real tree, I have an artificial tree (and although I don’t have the space right now to put it up) I prefer it that way. Sure creating an artificial tree is a strain on the environment too but killing trees each year only to throw them away after a few weeks is even more so!
I just saw this HUGE real tree in the town centre and I just feel so sad about it, a big old tree that could help revert climate change cut down to decorate — loss
“Imagine if trees gave off WIFI signals we’d be planting so many trees and we’d probably save the planet too, too bad they only produce the oxygen we breathe” (I love this quote)
Lisette says
That’s a GREAT quote! Priorities, huh?
Danielle says
Totally respect your view but did you know that according to The American Christmas Tree Association, the main trade group for artificial tree makers and retailers, says its own study found that it took 10 years of use before a fake tree became better for the environment than a real one.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/18/business/energy-environment/18tree.html?pagewanted=all
Megan C. Stroup says
I saw Scentcicles for the first time today and was so intrigued! Also, I totally support your decision to have an artificial tree. My family always had real trees, and I loved it. But it’s totally a personal choice! In fact, one time in high school I teased my boyfriend (now-fiance) and told him he didn’t have a “real Christmas” because his family had a fake tree. And you know what he said? “Maybe your Christmas is fake because it’s about the tree and not about the real reason for the season.” Touche! I got burned on that one haha. So tell that to someone next time they dare question your Christmas traditions!
Leela says
In Australia basically everyone has artificial trees, real ones have only become popular very recently but still only a few have them. We have an insanely huge range of artificial trees anyway.
First time I saw a tree farm (youtuber’s video) and saw them just saw the tree off, so sad to see. Kill a tree that took so long to grow, so you can have it for a couple of weeks and then throw it out.
But I guess it’s just personal preference.
Catherine says
New to your blog and just saw this post. Even though it’s an old post, thought I’d put in my two cents worth! I am a real tree person. Always have been. My parents were. All my grandparents were. And before that there were no fake trees. It is tradition, yes. It touches your past. It is my children’s pleasure now. We love the smell and look (and there is NO fake tree that TRULY looks real) and feel of a real tree. We are not lazy…watering the tree and occasional vacuuming of needles in not a problem. I mean, really, you’d be vacuuming anyway, right?!? We find the biggest, fattest Frasier fir we can find. It is farmed especially for Christmas. I am a gardener and landscape designer. I plant trees all the time. I figure taking one for the holidays is ok. It was grown for that purpose and the field is replanted almost immediately. I have to admit I am anti plastic and anti fake in general…getting more so, intentionally, by the day. Real is real. Fake is fake. While in college and new married and living in tiny apartments, I had a potted Norfolk pine that grew in my living room year round. I decorated it…then undecorated it and it stayed with me for years. I had to water it. I occasionally had to repot it. But it was a REAL alternative. Nothing fake for me!