Christmas soon approaches and we are all getting our holiday decorations ready. I truly know Christmas is right around the corner when it is time for us to get our tree. My wife and I moved out of our parents’ homes over 7 years ago, and going out to find a tree each year is one of our favourite traditions.  Although, I will say that as much as we love getting a tree, there have been many times when the set-up of said tree has led some some very “animated discussions”. Animated discussions aside, we have so much fun doing it and love seeing the final product. Now to the issue at hand, real tree or fake tree?

I have always advocated for a real tree over a fake tree. Now the question? Why one over the other?

1. I like the smell of a real tree

There is nothing quite like the smell of a real tree. Christmas, in my opinion, is always about senses, whether it be the smell of cookies baking, the sight of lights twinkling, the sound of singing, or a hug from someone you haven’t seen in a long time. As I write this blog, I am smelling the a beautiful real tree and it brings back memories of Christmases past.

2. Real Trees are better for the environment

There is a lot of conflicting information on this, but when I look at the facts I can’t see how fake trees are better for the environment. Now, without this devolving into a point for point discussion of the pros and cons of why real trees are better, I will make a few quick points. First, anything made in nature versus in a factory will likely be better for the environment. Nature is pretty amazing at making things, whether it be food or trees for Christmas. I can’t see how we could make it more efficiently than nature could. There is something about shipping a man-made tree half way across the world in a cargo container that just seems wrong.

3. The experience of going out to get a tree

For those that know me, I am really big on experience. I do like the destination but I really love the journey. Going out to get a Christmas tree is always a fun experience. Whenever I pick out a Christmas tree with my wife we turn into discerning experts. Like a expert jeweler evaluating a fine jewel or a wine lover swirling a glass of wine around, we are serious about our trees. Realistically though, that all goes out of the window when we see a tree and our inner child takes over. All the criteria in the world doesn’t mean anything, and all we have to say is “THAT ONE!’.   The next element of fun is actually getting the tree home. I don’t have a large car but have always found a way to get a 7 – 8 foot tree home. Whenever I put the tree in the trunk it inevitably leads to needle disaster. My inner Clark Griswold always comes to the forefront at this time of year, and I always end up with a bigger tree than anticipated, despite my wife’s protestations. I love the whole process of getting the tree and\etting it up.

4. Supporting Local Growers

Whenever I get a Christmas tree, buying from a local farmer allows me to support local business.  I feel like there is something a little bit sad about going into a department store and getting an artificial tree. Realistically speaking, buying something that has been sourced from a Chinese factory isn’t really helping the local economy. Typically, when one would go out to get an artificial tree, they would also buy tons of other goods that weren’t made by local stores or business. I try to advocate for a “hyperlocal” approach whenever possible. “Hyperlocal” means supporting the local economy while minimizing the impact of shipping goods over long distances.

5. Storing a fake tree

There is something about storing a fake tree that is just a big pain in the ass. For some reason I can vacuum up real needles, but always have a problem with fake ones. Fake trees take up space in my already crowded storage room. For me it is just an annoying process and problem I would like to avoid.

6. I am a big kid

I must say, I am a sucker for Christmas. My family always made it an amazing experience for me and it has only gotten better over the years. Our family is about to grow as our baby is due January 1st 2011. I cannot think of a more exciting tradition to share with our new child.

As a side note I was always amazed how the Peanuts characters were about to turn this tree into this one, simply  by moving their hands quickly.

Summary:

We have built some amazing traditions around our Christmas tree. Five years ago my dad started bringing us the Swarovski crystal ornaments and those have become a beautiful marker to the year. My wife Laura and I always collect 2-3 ornaments from places we travel to. Each year our tree is filled more symbols of all the things I have done with my wife and my family. It is for this reason that only a real tree makes sense to me. A combination of the smell, the experience of getting the tree and my inner Charlie Brown makes getting get a real tree the only option.

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