The first thing to decide before starting to look for a Christmas tree is whether you want a real Christmas tree or an artificial Christmas tree. This will determine where you go shopping as well as what Christmas decorations you’ll use along with the tree.

While a live Christmas tree may be less expensive to buy than an artificial one, you can only use the live tree once. You can pack up and reuse an artificial tree for several years, making it less expensive over the long run. Make sure you factor your tree into your holiday budget!

Another difference between a live tree and an artificial one is the experience buying it.

Live trees can be found at Christmas tree farms, nurseries or some hardware/home improvement stores. If you’re looking for a special holiday experience, a trip to a Christmas tree farm could be perfect.

Artificial trees can be bought at all sorts of stores or online. Shopping for an artificial tree can be a lot more efficient than for a real one and you can more easily compare different types and styles of tree.

Whether you’re looking for a real tree or an artificial one, you will need to consider how you are getting it home. Will your car support the tree of your dreams? Make sure you think through that part of the purchase and if you can’t get the tree home yourself, do your research into delivery – whether it’s for a live tree or an artificial one.

Other things to consider as you decide on a live tree or an artificial one:

What type of tree do you want? When shopping for a real tree, you are limited to what is naturally available where you live. When shopping for an artificial tree, your options are as broad as the tree manufacturers’ imaginations.
Are you concerned about recycling? While an artificial tree will last longer than a live one, once you decide you’ve gotten your use out of an artificial tree, it will end up in a landfill. A real tree can be recycled and repurposed for mulch.
How much work do you want to do for your tree? A real Christmas tree is a live tree – if you hate the idea of having to water and care for your tree, you may want to consider an artificial one.

Here are some more BBB resources to help you during the holiday season:

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