In my 25 years of life, the world has always been divided. Glass half full people, and glass half empty. Hot dogs or Hamburgers. Coke or Pepsi? And the biggest division of all, real or fake Christmas trees. In a time of year that should bring people together, I could think of nothing more that breaks people apart! So, what is the right side to be on?
NO FAKE TREES
I have never had a fake tree! Never, not once! It just doesn’t feel right to me. Not really authentic. Sometimes the lights already come on it for you, what if you want different colors? Part of decorating the tree is putting the lights on it, it limits the fun for you. You don’t get that real tree scent with a fake tree. In my personal opinion having a fake tree takes the spirit out of Christmas. Being an honoree St. Nick and all, I spoke to the big guy in the red coat and he says he gives more presents to people that have real trees in their home (just saying.) Not to mention plastic is so terrible for you.
MAYBE FAKE TREES?
However, there are some benefits to having a fake tree. You can extend the Christmas season that way. Since before I was even born my grandparents have been putting up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. They don’t have to wait to go pick a tree out, and set it up. The Christmas season is “the most wonderful time of the year!” Getting more of it is simply a benefit. You also don’t have to clean up the mess when the pines fall off the tree branches. You also don’t have to worry about picking a subpar tree that may have a lot of holes in it. (I don’t even know why I said that I literally never pick subpar trees, disregard that.)
HAS TO BE REAL TREES!
There is simply nothing like having a real Christmas tree in your home. Getting in the Christmas spirit starts with going as a family to get your tree. There is nothing that lifts your spirit more than when your mom says the tree YOU picked out is better than your two younger brothers. It kind of feels just like this:
Just look at the classics, they all depict the family getting real Christmas trees for their homes. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the family goes out and cuts a tree that is way too big for their home. HILARIOUS! Home Alone 2, Kevin McCallister goes to the biggest Christmas tree in the entire world (Rockefeller Center) to make a Christmas wish! Look at this scene from Elf, you think Michael would be that involved or excited with a fake Christmas tree?!? I DON’T THINK SO!
DOES IT HAVE TO BE REAL TREES?
Nothing is worse than spending 30 minutes trying to tie it to the roof of your car, ultimately not getting it so your resorted to hold the rope in the car and hope for the best. But it’s all a part of the Christmas spirit am I right? After growing incredibly frustrated my brother and I had a long laugh about it. Where would the laughs be at taking it out of a box? Oh, cleaning up the dead branches is such a pain? What’s better than your mom yelling at you repeatedly around the holidays? Families are always on each other’s nerves, it’s what makes the season so wonderful!
THE CORRECT CHOICE: NEVER A DOUBT, REAL TREES!
If there was a way a way to chop down a real Christmas tree and keep it alive from November 1st, all the way until after Christmas the 100% correct answer would be a real tree. However, that is simply not plausible. But, in what you lack in quantity time with the real tree you make up with in quality of spirit. You cannot beat authenticity, ever. And you definitely cannot beat it at Christmas time. Go get that real tree with your family or friends, decorate it together. Embrace the season. You owe it to your inner child, the one that still BELIEVES!
