Christmas tree showdown: real v.s. fake

Maddie Psomas - Contributing Writer

Every holiday season, families gather to make an important decision: real or fake tree? Like every family dinner, the decision usually ends with a little friendly judgment and some not-so-friendly debate.

On one side, there’s the Real Tree Advocates, armed with fresh pine scent and a fierce dedication to tradition. “There’s something magical about bringing a real tree into your home," said Mark Grover a die-hard Team Real member. “The smell, the feel, even the imperfections—it’s like adopting a new family member, except this one dies in a month.”

Then there’s Team Fake, clutching their pre-lit, perfectly symmetrical artificial trees like trophies of convenience. “My fake tree is perfect every single year,” said Michael Andal, a proud Fake Tree Ambassador. “No needles to vacuum, no water to spill, and I’m not freezing my toes off in some forest pretending I know how to choose a good tree. It’s a win-win!”

The Real Tree camp argues they’re keeping Christmas authentic, while the Fake Tree squad insist it keeps Christmas easy. Real trees bring the charm of nature into your living room—but also spiders. Fake trees offer simplicity and style—and an overwhelming sense of guilt every time you hear the phrase “non-biodegradable.”

Let’s not even get started on the environmental debate. Real trees are compostable and support local farmers, but is chopping one down every year a bit barbaric? Fake trees are reusable for years, but they’re made from materials that might outlive us all. Either way, someone, somewhere, is judging you.

In the end, whether you’re hauling a fresh evergreen through the front door or dragging a faux fir out of storage, the season remains the same: to argue about something completely unrelated at Christmas dinner.

So, which team are you on? Real, fake, or just here for the cookies?