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O Christmas tree, which kind is better: Real or artificial? Vote in our poll

Guess if this Christmas tree is real or artificial? Answer: artificial. But for some folks, real-looking doesn’t make it real enough.
Guess if this Christmas tree is real or artificial? Answer: artificial. But for some folks, real-looking doesn’t make it real enough. Bloomberg

“O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you stand in splendid beauty!”

Yeah, sure, easy for you to say (or sing), but that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. All is not calm and bright with this debate.

I’m talking about the annual holiday activity, right behind seeing the Plaza lights and watching “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”: Arguing over which type of tree is best — real or artificial.

The Keep It Real Folks stand on tradition, saying their trees look more like Christmas. That tradition goes beyond the actual tree: It’s also about going to get it. These traditionalists will tell you real trees are biodegradable, recyclable and sustainable — meaning chop one down and grow another, just like any crop. And, oh, the smell!

The Faux Folks will tell you artificial trees are way better now than in the olden days. You can reuse them year after year, saving $$, and the environment. And while the real-tree folks are spending their holidays vacuuming up needles and keeping the thing watered, the artificial aficionados have more time for Christmas shopping and finding the reason for the season. And, oh, the smell (or lack thereof)! That real pine scent can get overpowering.

So which is best: real or artificial? Vote in the poll below. Can’t see it? Click here to vote.

And if you can’t really decide, you can get more facts from the American Christmas Tree Association. Yeah, it’s a real thing.

Happy holidays!

Sharon Hoffmann
The Kansas City Star
Sharon Hoffmann was an enterprise editor at The Star. She grew up in the KC area, graduated from the University of Kansas and promptly moved away. After she married and had kids, she just had to come back. She has been editing Kansas City Star stories since 1999.
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