The Great Christmas Tree Compromise :: Why We Finally Went Artificial
When it comes to Christmas trees, most of us grew up in one of two camps: Team Real or Team Artificial. And if the universe has a sense of humor, you likely married someone from the opposite camp.
I grew up in the artificial tree camp. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the tree went up, and it stayed up until New Year’s Day. My husband, however, is German and, in very stereotypical German fashion, grew up as a real tree purist. Per German tradition, his family picked their tree straight from the farm on December 23rd, and it stayed up until Epiphany.
When we married almost eleven years ago, I joined Team Real Tree, but with one condition: it had to go up the first weekend of December. In those early years, we lived on the top floor of a San Francisco brownstone. Lugging a tree up umpteen flights of stairs was no small feat, but I loved the scent, and I loved the festive tradition of choosing the perfect one.
Fast forward to 2025. Three kids later, we’ve kept the real tree tradition alive… until this year. With a long trip to Germany planned for December and January, a real tree just wasn’t practical. We toyed with the idea of skipping a tree entirely, but I just couldn’t stomach it.
So, I built a case for an artificial tree. Here is the evidence that won over my husband:
- Evidence No. 1: The Environmental Impact: If you treat an artificial tree like a long-term investment (keeping it for 10+ years), it can actually be more eco-friendly than buying a farmed tree every single year. The American Christmas Tree Association reports that over time, artificial trees require less energy and contribute less to air pollution than the annual cycle of real tree disposal.
- Evidence No. 2: Efficiency: This “pro” spoke directly to my German Engineer husband’s heart. There is something deeply satisfying about an already-lit tree. Germans are nothing if not efficient, and skipping the “tangled light struggle” is the ultimate efficiency.
- Evidence No. 3: The Clean Up: Even though we dutifully watered our real trees and fed them tree food (yes, it’s a thing), we still spent every other day vacuuming up needles. Removing that chore from my never-ending December to-do list felt like a massive win for my sanity.
With the case settled, we hunted for the perfect evergreen. After some research, we landed on Balsam Hill. We even ordered a box of samples to touch the needles.
We chose the Vermont White Spruce, and it arrived in a beautifully organized package. The instructions were foolproof, and the setup (including their very detailed tips for branch fluffing) took me less than an hour.
While I’ll admit I miss the pine scent, I am so relieved to be back in the artificial tree camp. Next year, I can set it up the day after Thanksgiving (just like I did as a kid) without the usual holiday breakdown that occurs when I try to string lights.
The real kicker? My husband is a convert! He admitted that the ease of it all has been a gift during such a hectic season. So, if you’re on the fence about making the switch, come join us! The water is fine, and the floors are blissfully needle-free.
