Two Holmes students debate merits of real vs. artificial Christmas trees

As the holiday season quickly approaches, Holmes students discuss the current quandary: what type of tree should you buy? Two students offer differing perspectives on the matter. 

Freshman Claire Yackley said that real Christmas trees are the way to go. Yackley said she’s tried both out. 

“I prefer real trees for the experience,” she said. “As a family, going out and picking a Christmas tree is always really fun.”

Yackley said that it’s an important part of the Christmas season to have a tree “because it helps bring the Christmas spirit,” she said. “Also, decorating and picking out a Christmas tree is something that is really fun to do with family.”

Yackley said that real trees are just an overall better experience during Christmas time “because it’s so much more fun. Picking out the tree from the Christmas tree farm is such a fun experience. Also, the smell of the tree helps to bring so much Christmas spirit.”

In terms of picking which tree to buy, Yackley said that the Douglas fir trees are the way to go each year. 

In addition, Yackley said that decorating is a timeless tradition to participate in with family.

Holmes Eighth grader Addy Clark has opposing views on the matter. Clark’s family used to buy a real tree and later switched to an artificial one a few years ago. 

“I just prefer artificial Christmas trees because they are so much easier to use and require less work,” Clark said. “The one year we tried a real Christmas tree, we were constantly cleaning up the little needles falling out. It’s also much more convenient to buy an artificial tree and be able to re-use it for many years than have to buy a real one every year.”

Clark said that convenience plays a big part in her reasoning. 

“Artificial trees are better than real trees because with fake trees, you don’t have to do any maintenance to keep the tree looking good/cleaning up any mess,” she said. “It’s also much more convenient, especially with all of the pre-lit artificial trees that are available to purchase.”

Pertaining to the overall celebration of Christmas with a tree, Clark has similar views to Yackley. 

“I think it’s important to have a tree during Christmas because it makes everything feel more festive, and decorating a Christmas tree every year is a tradition for so many families.”