One of the most commonly debated issues at Christmas is whether to get a real or artificial tress.
What’s best for the environment?
Which is cheaper?
There are many questions that get debated and thrown around. There is a case for both types of Christmas trees, so here’s some ideas of what to consider, as well as some useful things to know about being sustainable and environmentally conscious this festive season.
Real Trees
Let’s start by looking at real tress. The first positive is that they feel and smell real (because they are), which for many people makes them feel more connected with Christmas. There are more than 30 million purchased each year, which shows just how popular they are.
There is also the environmental impact of real trees. They have a much lower carbon footprint, if they are disposed of properly. As well as this, according to Carbon Trust they support complex ecosystems.
On the other hand, there are also some disadvantages of having a real Christmas tree. One of those is you need to water and feed them daily, which can be a pain, especially if you’ve piled up all those pressies around the bottom! If they aren’t well kept, those needles will start to fall off, making a complete mess of your living room.
We found a great guide with some useful tips for how to look after your real trees. Check it out for yourself here>>
Artificial Trees
Do we dare to call them “Fake” Christmas Trees? They are proven to be just as popular as the real thing. They have been around since the early 1900’s, and currently more than 10 million are bought each year.
One of the reasons why people head for an artificial tree over a real one is that they are more convenient. Once it’s up and you’ve got all the decorations on, you don’t have to touch it again. There is no faffing around with watering and feeding every day, which for some can be much more appealing.
There is also the financial benefit to buying an artificial tree. The money you spend tends to go a lot further. Compared to spending £50+ a year for a real tree, an artificial tree can last many years, if well looked after, and stored properly . So there could be big savings, money to spend on presents. You can even buy pre-lit ones now!
However, there are also some negatives that come with having an artificial tree. The majority of them are made from plastics and metals, which aren’t biodegradable, and most of the time they end up in landfill In addition, they have probably been made in a far flung part of the world and travelled here by shipping container.
In order to offset the carbon impact it has been suggested that people need to reuse their Christmas tree for 10 plus years.
Another consideration is the storage of your artificial tree after Christmas? Trees can take up a lot of room, which you may not have much of, amongst all the other things you have in the house.
This is where a storage unit could help. If you’re needing some extra space for storing all your Christmas decorations, a storage unit could provide you with some extra room you’ve been after. Storing an artificial tree in storage would keep it safe and dry, in perfect condition for next year.
There are both good and bad things about real and artificial Christmas trees, and it will normally come down to personal preference, and whichever you prefer we’d love to see how creative you are with your decorations. Send us a picture of your Christmas tree over on our Facebook or Twitter.
