A nice live Christmas tree with lights, bulbs, some of those silver strips of whatever they are tossed on the tree in bunches, hoping some will land on the limbs, is a lovely sight. You will also need a tree-stand or bucket filled with some kind of concoction to complete the picture. Once that’s done, you can enjoy the holiday and the tree for about 30 days. Then comes tear-down time: tangled lights, cracked bulbs, pictures of last Christmas with kids hugging Santa (i.e. grandpa wearing that red suit and fake beard). Then you drag the tree out to the curb and hope the garbage collector will cut you some slack and remove it. Next year you repeat the process. Then there is always some family member who thinks lit candles on a live tree is a good thing. Really!

Many factors will determine how long that live tree lasts. Living in a colder state your inside thermostat will probably hover around 74 degrees most of the time, which could damage your tree. If you poured all kinds of solutions in the tree-bucket to extend its life and keep needles from littering the floor or carpet, you may get lucky and the tree stay as nice in 30 days as when you brought it home from the lot.

On the other hand, you might want to consider another option in your attempt to avoid the live-tree annual headache. That option could be an artificial Christmas tree. It seems you see more and more of the artificial trees in stores beginning before Thanksgiving. Some specialty outlets are quick to get a jump on competition and have them strategically placed in store windows in order to catch the largest viewing public walking outside.

If you do opt for an artificial Christmas tree, preserving the condition and beauty of your tree, as well as the decorations, is not as complicated as you think — if you know what you’re doing. Visiting retail and hardware stores in your town, you can find and abundance of these artificial trees giving consumers a wide choice.

A recent study of Christmas tree buyers in America indicated there is a continuing trend toward the artificial Christmas tree for many reasons. Cost and convenience topped the list. In the live tree scenario, you either purchase the tree from a parking lot seller or plunk down cash to pick and cut down a tree yourself. Prices vary, but generally, the cost is determined by the beauty, height, and general appearance, meaning does the tree look good and full or is it slim with spaces between the branches. You can have it either way depending on the size of your room where it’s placed.

With the artificial Christmas tree, concerns are much less. Once you know the size of tree you prefer, all that’s left for you, the buyer, is to choose an artificial tree that is pre-lit or unlit, fully decorated nor not. All the bells and whistles versus a do-it-yourself project. Another concern that is eliminated with an artificial tree is no fresh needles to prick your fingers and none to drop on your carpet or floor. Most artificial Christmas trees come with a choice of tree-holders; metal or plastic. If was also found in the study that the cost of a fully decorated artificial tree versus a live tree, also produced less of a stress factor on the family.

Hence, it seems to boil down to being a family decision. Go for the live tree and replant it, if possible, in your yard, strip it down and toss it in the street for pickup or take it to a legal dumping site yourself. However, in the case of an artificial Christmas tree that was purchased with everything completed and intact, the entire tree can be saved by carefully placing it in a large tree-storing bag that can be purchased at most retail stores. One caution should be noted when storing that artificial tree for next years use. Make an effort to keep it out of any area in your home that conducts heat. It’s suggested you hide the artificial tree in an unused room, large closet or a basement. Heat will not only harm your live tree, but an artificial tree, as well.