Christmas Tree Buying Guide

With Christmas right around the corner, you’re probably already thinking about getting your Christmas tree set up to really make your home feel festive. If you’re in the market for a new Christmas tree, you’re probably a bit back and forth between deciding to buy a real tree or an artificial tree.

Both real trees and artificial trees have pros and cons, and it’s down to your personal preference and what will work best for your home and your family. If you’re getting ready to shop for your new tree or can’t decide whether you should go real or artificial, our Christmas Tree Buying Guide should help you pick the perfect tree.

Picking out a real tree

A real Christmas tree is the more traditional choice. For generations, families have been making a day of venturing out and choosing the perfect tree for their home and decorating it together. A real tree is perfect if you want the nostalgia that comes with having a real Christmas tree.

A real tree might be ideal for you because:

• You can find them in a variety of sizes and shapes so that they fit your living space
• They have that wonderful fresh pine smell
• They’re available in many species with variation in size, needle and colour
• Support the farming trade
• You can plant your tree after the holidays to help the environment

A few minor drawbacks that come with having a real tree are:

• They do require some care and will need to be kept watered throughout the Christmas period
• Some species drop more needles than others which can make for a continually messy rug
• It can be difficult to find the “perfect” tree because they are all unique and natural

If you decide to choose a real tree, there are a few things you should know before you set out to pick your Christmas tree. You’ll want to make sure that you have enough room for the tree you choose. It’s always a good idea to measure the area you’re planning to set up the tree to know how much space you have, including the width of the base (the widest part of the tree) and the height.

You’ll also want to make sure you have a way to get the tree home. Most places that sell Christmas trees will wrap it in rope or a net for you, but you’ll still need to make sure that there is enough space in your car so you can get home and start decorating.

If you’re not sure where is best to buy your Christmas tree, garden centres are usually a good option. Well-known garden centre chains like Wyevale and Dobbies are located all over the country and sell Christmas trees every year.

Picking out an artificial tree

Artificial trees have continued to grow more and more popular over the years. As time goes on, it’s possible to make artificial trees look more realistic, with some companies producing such quality trees that it’s difficult to tell they’re artificial until you touch them.

An artificial tree might be the right choice for you because:

• They’re economical and can be used year after year
• Apart from a few dropped needles when you get them out of the box, they tend not to drop any more meaning you have to clean up a lot less than with a real tree
• You don’t need to care for or water them while they’re up
• They’re all perfectly symmetrical and come in a variety of sizes, including slim line for narrower living spaces
• Some come pre-lit, saving you the hassle of untangling lights every year

A few minor drawbacks that come with having a real tree are:

• They don’t have that lovely “real tree” smell
• An artificial tree that is good quality and appears more real can be quite expensive
• You’ll need the space to store your artificial tree when it’s not the Christmas storage
• They artificial materials used to make them can be flammable, so you’ll need to be careful near candles and fireplaces

If you feel that an artificial tree is the best option for you, there are many places you can purchase one. While garden centres have a great variety of real trees, many of them also sell a wonderful array of artificial trees. You can also purchase online from sites like Amazon. If you want to purchase an artificial tree that is very lifelike, you might want to research shops like Balsam Hill.  

When purchasing an artificial tree, you’ll still need to have a good idea of the space you have available so that you buy the right sized tree. If you purchase the tree in store, you’ll still need to consider how you’ll get it home – though artificial trees come in boxes, these can be quite large depending on the size of the tree you purchase.

We hope that this guide has helped you determine whether you should buy a real or artificial tree this year. Both trees have their pros and cons, and it boils down to what is best for your home and family.

Are you getting ready to choose your Christmas tree this year? Should you go for real or artificial? Read our Christmas Tree Buying Guide to find out.