🎄 Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: A Sentimental Showdown

From pine-scented childhoods to single-mom simplicity, here’s how my holiday tree traditions evolved — and why both camps deserve a holiday "cheer".

🌲 The Real Tree Era: Roots, Rituals, and Resin

When I was a kid, the holidays began with a pilgrimage in our yellow, wood-paneled station wagon to the local Christmas tree lot. We didn’t just buy a tree — we adopted one, bulb and all. The pine scent filled our home, tinsel shimmered like magic, and after the season, my dad would plant the tree along our steep driveway.

Those trees became a living timeline of Christmases past. They shaded summer playdates, hid us during neighborhood hide-and-seek, and stood like sentinels dusted in snow. They were memory keepers.

Later, with my own daughter bundled in a teddy-bear snowsuit, we continued the tradition — trekking to tree farms, breathing in mountain air, and choosing the perfect evergreen. It was messy, magical, and deeply meaningful.

🎁 Enter the Artificial Tree: Ease, Efficiency, and Evolution

Then came single motherhood. And with it, the shift to an artificial tree. At first, I mourned the loss of pine-scented nostalgia. But now? I’m a proud artificial tree mom.

Setup takes minutes — three pieces, one outlet, done. No strapping to the car, no watering, no needle cleanup. And the scent? A few good Yankee candles and a simmering pot of wassail do the trick.

Artificial trees are cost-effective over time, fire-resistant, hypoallergenic, and — let’s be honest — a lifesaver when life gets busy.

But I must confess, a real, miniature table top tree always manages to make an appearance as a remembrance of times past

🎄 The Great Debate: Nature vs. Nurture

Real Tree Pros:

Outdoor adventure and family bonding

Supports local farmers

Biodegradable and environmentally friendly

That unmistakable pine aroma

Artificial Tree Pros:

Easy setup and storage

Long-term savings

Safer and allergy-friendly

Consistent shape and fullness

🪩 Or Maybe… Festivus?

And hey, maybe you’re not a tree person at all. Maybe you’re a Frank Costanza type (and yes that is my age showing), celebrating Festivus with an aluminum pole, airing grievances, and flexing feats of strength. No judgment here.

✨ Final Thought

Whether you’re team real, team artificial, or team “no tree at all,” the holidays are about joy, connection, and creating rituals that reflect your life. Trees are just the backdrop — the real magic is in the memories. Which team are you on, Kicking the Chaos wants to know.