Artificial Christmas Tree
vs.
Fresh Cut Tree

When I was growing up there was always an Artificial Christmas Tree sitting in my living room at Christmas time.

My husband always had a fresh-cut Christmas tree when he was growing up.

Advantages of an Artificial Tree

Tree will always have the same width and height. No more worrying about the tree being too tall or too wide to fit into your living room.
It will be the same size every year.

Tree can stay up for a longer period.
You can put the tree up Thanksgiving weekend and leave it up until New Years.

Gloves aren't needed for decorating the tree.
Wearing brown jersey gloves kept tree sap off my hands and also lessened the scratches and scrapes received while stringing lights on the inside of the tree.

Look RealisticThe newer trees look very realistic.

Disadvantages of an Artificial Christmas Tree

No Fresh Pine Smell
Scented sprays have yet to capture the true fresh pine scent that Mother Nature creates.

Tree Storage
You will have to store the tree during the off season. The box they come in won't last as long as the tree does.

You will need to Fluff the branches
The tree has been crunched up in a box for storage.
When you set it up each year, the individual branches will each need to be fluffed out.
Fluffing can be time consuming.

Our Christmas Tree Solution

My son was disappointed when he saw the artificial tree. He liked going out and sawing down a tree each year. It had been one of our traditions. My husband missed the scent. I had to admit I missed the fresh smell of pine also. My daughter didn't miss the prickly feel of the needles, but missed going to the tree farm.

So we decided to alternate the type of tree each year. One year the artificial tree would go up, the next year we would get a fresh cut tree.

If it's an artificial tree year I will buy fresh cut pine branches and boughs to tuck into the tree and for decorations around the living room.

Once you have your Christmas tree picked out, you'll need to decorate it.
How to Decorate Your Tree has tips on the amount of lights, ornaments and garland to use as well as my simple way of lighting an artificial Christmas tree.

Tree Decorating Ideas is full of fun themes you can use for decorating your tree.