Pre-lit vs. Natural Christmas trees: which is better?

The Christmas tree is the centerpiece of your holiday decorating, so it’s important to choose a tree that fits your style. You could go with a classic pre-lit artificial tree or a natural, real-wood tree. Either way, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from based on the size, color and shape you’re looking for.

Here are some things to consider when comparing pre-lit and natural Christmas trees:

 The appearance of your tree after it’s been decorated

 Pre-lit trees look great right out of the box, but some people prefer their natural look once they’ve been decorated. If that sounds like you, then a natural tree may be a better choice for you (and your wallet).

Time spent setting up the tree at home on Christmas morning

 Pre-lit trees are easier to set up than natural ones — just plug them in and hang some ornaments! Natural trees require more work before they can be displayed proudly in your living room: measuring each branch for height, securing each branch with twist ties, and a lot of other things like that.

Fluffiness

The most noticeable difference between pre-lit and natural Christmas trees is their fluffiness — or lack thereof. The needles on artificial trees are often heavier than those on real trees because they’re made of plastic. The weight makes it easier to keep them standing straight up as they dry out over time. On the other hand, real pine needles are much lighter in weight than plastic ones and tend to fall over easily if not maintained regularly.

Price

Another consideration when choosing between pre-lit and natural Christmas trees is price. Real trees tend to cost more than artificial ones because they require more work — such as trimming branches and watering — before you can put them up in your home for the holidays. Plus, many people believe that real pine needles give off a better scent than artificial ones do.

On the flipside, Pre-lit Christmas trees may be more expensive than their natural counterparts if they require more materials, time and labor to make them look beautiful. But this extra cost may be worth it if you want a tree that will make your home shine with lights.

Maintenance

 If you don’t like spending time caring for your tree, then a pre-lit option may be best for you. It only takes minutes every month or two to check its lights and water level – if at all! Whereas with a natural tree, you’ll need to keep its branches trimmed so that they don’t get too long and tangled with each other or the ceiling fan above them (or maybe even worse).

Durability

Natural Christmas trees last longer than pre-lit ones because they don’t have any wires or cables to break down over time. Pre-lit trees will probably last two to four years before needing replacement bulbs; after that point, it’s best to buy a new tree rather than attempt to replace just one bulb. A natural tree should last for at least a decade if taken care of properly.