Fake vs. Real Christmas Tree: Which Will Save You More?
Depending on your choice of fake vs. real Christmas tree, you could be saving money every year.
Carla Ayers
The fake vs real Christmas tree debate has been simmering on for years. Traditionalists and romantics point to the festive smell and that sense of bringing the natural world into your home. Pragmatists point to the practicality (and environmental benefits) of reusing the same tree year after year.
But, depending on your choice, you could be saving money every year. We take a look at the pros and cons of the great tree debate.
Fake trees: considerations
Reusable. This is pretty obvious. You can reuse a fake Christmas tree every year. If you’re on a budget and don't want to splurge every year, this is your best bet. You're helping the environment with that reuse (if you ignore the small factor that the tree is made of plastic). Plus, most fake trees come in sections, meaning they can be easily stored, ready to come out the next year.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
No maintenance or mess. As your tree is fake, there’s no watering, sweeping of needles, or trimming. Most real Christmas trees involve some kind of daily maintenance to keep them alive, just like a houseplant. You don’t have to struggle to put the lights on every year. Most fake trees already have lights on them. There are even some ingenious pop-up versions, that store away in their own carry case! And the best part — you won’t have to squash the tree into your car or drag it along your driveway every year.
Customization. Instead of searching through a tree farm or the stand at your local Home Depot, you can choose what size, color, and lights you want on your tree. Some fake trees come with apps that allow you to change the light colors and sequences.
Cost. Artificial Christmas trees can range from about $85 to $1,000 or more. “According to our 2023 survey, 52% of artificial Christmas tree owners purchased their tree for under $200, and 27% paid $200 to $400,” says Jami Warner, executive director of the American Christmas Tree Association.
Real trees: considerations
Non-reusable. Like cut flowers, Christmas trees will eventually die (of course, if you have a big enough garden — and patience — you can buy a potted tree and plant it in your garden after the holidays, then dig it up every year). A typical Christmas tree will last about 4 weeks with adequate watering and care (keep it away from heaters).
Maintenance and mess. All real Christmas trees (whether pines, firs, or spruce trees) will shed their needles to some extent. (Despite what those "non-drop" claims on the labels may say.) Maintenance is much higher with a real tree — including trimming branches to get the right shape, regular watering, and sweeping up needles and sap. You’ll also have to always attach your lights to the tree which can be one of the most annoying festive chores.
Adds a natural scent. Most people look forward to this part the most — the fresh smell of pine spreading throughout your house. You can keep an evergreen candle lit near your fake tree but nothing can truly substitute for the festive smell of a real Christmas tree.
Cost. On average 25-30 million Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. every year. In 2022, 22.34 million real Christmas trees were purchased and sold a median price of $80, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. This year, the price of trees is rising by 10% to around $85-110 and some will cost more, depending on the size you go for. That's a lot to pay out every year...
Verdict
Of course, it mostly comes down to personal preference — what you want in your house, the maintenance you are (or are not) willing to put in, decor styles, and how much of a premium you put on what people love the most — the smell.
But when it comes to saving money, you’ll want to go with the fake tree. A well-made fake tree might have a high initial cost but, in the long run, you’ll end up paying more for a real tree every year.
Related content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Quincy is the newsletter editor at Kiplinger. He joined Kiplinger in May 2021. Before, he worked at Agora Financial - Paradigm Press and was a contributing writer for several other online media publications.
In his current role at Kiplinger, Quincy manages all of Kiplinger's newsletters, including Kiplinger Today, Investing Weekly, Tax Tips, Kiplinger’s Special Report Closing Bell, and more.
When he’s not working, he’s taking his dog for a walk, fishing or somewhere in the world on a beach.
- Carla AyersE-Commerce & Personal Finance Editor
-
How to Turn Amazon Prime Day Into a Travel Windfall
During Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale, skip the fluff — here’s how to extract real travel value via gear, services and strategic credit cards.
-
Amazon AI on Prime Day: Deal Helper or Upsell Machine?
Amazon’s Rufus chatbot, Alexa voice deals, and Amazon Lens can change how you shop on Prime Day. Here’s how to use them wisely — and avoid being upsold.
-
How to Safely Get Your Amazon Packages This Season
Worried about porch pirates? From Amazon lockers to secure lock boxes, here’s how to protect your holiday deliveries.
-
The $2.5 Billion Amazon Settlement: Key Dates, Claim Eligibility and More
Amazon agrees to a historic $2.5 billion settlement over its Amazon Prime memberships. Here's what you need to know about the case and filing a claim.
-
Foldable Phones: Are They the Future or Just a Passing Trend?
Foldable phones offer eye-catching design and extra screen space, but not without compromises in cost, durability, and convenience. We weigh the pros and cons.
-
How to Cancel Amazon Prime (Even If It Looks Like You Can't)
Tired of Amazon Prime? Canceling it might not be as straightforward as you think. Here's what you need to know.
-
T-Mobile's Free iPhone 17 Deal: A Smart Switch or a Hidden Catch?
Receive a free iPhone 17 when you switch to T-Mobile. We'll explain whether the deal is worth it.
-
Is It Worth Upgrading to the iPhone 17?
The iPhone 17 is here. Learn what's new, where the best deals are and whether it's worth the switch.