🎄 Real vs Fake Christmas Trees — The Holiday Debate Returns!
By now most Arizona neighborhoods are glowing — families are putting up trees, stringing lights, and enjoying that holiday joy. I’m a holiday nerd from July to New Year’s: I love praising God, hanging with family, and savoring small traditions. But every year one debate shows up at the tree lot…
🎁 The Big Question: Do You Go REAL or FAKE Christmas Tree?
For me — hands down — I’m a REAL TREE guy. The tree-lot hunt, the fresh pine smell, the trunk-loading chaos, the needles, the glow of lights at night — that’s Christmas to me. My nine-year-old waters the tree every morning like it’s a treasured pet. But many people prefer the convenience of fake trees. Let’s break down the pros and cons so you can decide which one fits your family this year. 🎅✨
🌲 REAL TREE — Pros & Cons
- Pros ✅
- 🌲The Smell: Fresh pine fills the house — instant holiday mood.
- 👨👩👧👦Tradition & Experience: Picking the tree is a family event.
- 🎨Aesthetic: Natural shape and texture — authentic look.
- ♻️Eco-friendly potential: Many farms grow and recycle trees responsibly.
- ✨Cozy glow: Lights reflect beautifully on real branches.
- Cons ❌
- 🧹Needles everywhere — be ready to sweep.
- 💧Requires watering to stay fresh.
- ⏳Short life-span — best for the season only.
- 🚗Messy to transport and store.
- 💸Higher yearly cost than reusing an artificial tree.
🎄 FAKE TREE — Pros & Cons
- Pros ✅
- 🔁Reusable for years — cost-effective long-term.
- ⚡No maintenance — no watering, no needles.
- 🕒Quick setup and teardown.
- 📸Perfect symmetry — great for photos and staged looks.
- Cons ❌
- 🌬️No real pine smell — less authentic scent.
- 🏡No tree-lot family adventure.
- 📦Requires storage space between seasons.
- 🗑️Eventually becomes waste when it wears out.
- ❤️May feel less “magical” for some families.
❓ Jason Grandon’s Holiday Q&A (Quick & Fun)
Q: Jason, why are you so loyal to real trees?
A: Because it's an experience — the cool air at the tree lot, spinning trees with the family, the smell, and those small daily rituals (like my son watering the tree). Those moments are priceless.
Q: Are real trees harder to maintain?
A: Absolutely — but that’s part of the charm. A little sweeping and watering is worth the magic for our family.
Q: Which tree is better for hosting Christmas parties?
A: The one that makes YOU happy. If you want a cozy cabin feel, go real. If you want perfect Instagram photos or no mess, go fake. Personally — I can make a real tree look fantastic on Instagram, so don’t let the Instagram-perfect myth hold you back from the real smell and glow. 🌟
Q: Does having a Christmas tree help sell homes?
A: 100% — a warm, glowing Christmas tree makes a home feel inviting, cozy, and lived-in. Buyers emotionally connect with that. Side note: If you are selling your home during the holidays, absolutely stage it with holiday decor — but be sure to also have listing photos without Christmas decorations in case your home remains on the market after the holidays. This gives you both the seasonal warmth and the year-round neutrality buyers appreciate.
Q: What do most Arizona homeowners choose?
A: It’s split — many love convenience (fake trees), but a large number still treasure the tree-lot, fresh-pine tradition (real trees), especially in neighborhoods across Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the Valley.
🏡 Holiday Home Tip (For Sellers & Stagers)
Staging with a tasteful, glowing tree can create emotional warmth that helps buyers say “this feels like home.” But remember: include neutral photos without holiday decor for your listing gallery so buyers can clearly see layout and scale year-round. If you need help staging holiday photos or creating both seasonal and neutral galleries, we can help.
