Saving Money on Christmas Trees, Real vs. Fake, Is it worth it?

If you celebrate Christmas, chances are good that you decorate a Christmas tree.

As Christmas tends to be a big expense for many and the reason many individuals get into the financial troubles.  Some turn to a fake Christmas tree with the intentions of saving money in the long run.  I know I went down this route a few years back, picking up a tree that was on sale during an end of season sale with the intentions of making it our Christmas tree for years to come. Well the fact is this only lasted for a coupe of years, the tree was nice but it just lacked the traditional feel of having a real tree, the process involved with getting a real one and all those features that accompany a real tree.

Now the past two years I bought real trees but yet again, went with the convenience route and simply pulled into the local tree lot and pick up tree on my way home for Christmas for about $25-30 bucks.  Well with two young toddlers running around the house I thought it would be nice to start a traditions and opted to go to a local tree farm and get a fresh tree, well I have to admit this was a fantastic experience and although I only had one of the little ones with me, it will now become a family tradition.  Lets compare:

Fake Tree:

$150 – on sale – if it lasts 5 years then $30/yr (cons: tree isn’t as full, no smell, storage each year)

Real Tree via lot:

$30 – one year then in the compost to be recycle (cons: been sitting in a lot, usually smells like automobile fumes, less choice)

Christmas Tree Farm:

$30 – one year then in the compost to be recycled (cons: none, family day out, lots and lots of tree selection, cut fresh, fresh pine smell, more of a traditional Christmas event)

The tree farm that I visited today was Cooked Creek Tree Farm located in Oyster Bed Bridge, PE, Canada, the owners were very welcoming, allow you to pick a tree and they would cut or you could cut down with your own saw or with one provided, they offer you a some tasted home made cookies and apple cider at the end and before your done your tree is wrapped and on top off your car; again all for $30 dollars.  I’m sorry but this is an expense that I will pay full price for year after year.

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