Real vs Artificial Christmas Trees: Which Is Better for Irish Homes?

Few decisions start more debates at home in December. One side wants the scent of a fresh tree. The other remembers vacuuming pine needles out of the carpet in February. If you're weighing up a real or artificial Christmas tree this year, this guide covers what actually matters: cost, mess, looks, safety and sustainability. It also gives our picks for every kind of Irish home, from a city apartment to a farmhouse sitting room.

Real vs artificial at a glance

The case for a real tree

There's no denying the appeal. A real tree brings a fresh pine scent, and choosing one is a family tradition for many households. Real trees are grown as a crop and can be recycled after Christmas. Many councils run tree collection or drop-off schemes in January.

The downsides are practical ones. A real tree needs water every day, drops needles as it dries out, and has to be bought, transported and disposed of every year. A dry tree also needs keeping well away from heaters and open fires.

The case for an artificial tree

Modern artificial trees have come a long way from the sparse, bottle-brush trees of the past. Better trees now use PE (polyethylene) tips, which are moulded from real branches and look far more natural, mixed with PVC tips for fullness.

The benefits for a busy household are straightforward:

• No needles and no watering. Put it up on the 1st of December and it looks the same on Little Christmas.
• Quick set-up. Hinged branches drop into place, and most trees come in two or three sections.
• Choice of styles. Snowy flocked trees, slim trees for hallways, and pre-lit trees with the lights already built in.
• Better value over time. You buy once and use it year after year.

What does it cost over time?

This is where artificial trees win. Take the Festive Ben Nevis Pine 7ft at €235. Used for 8 Christmases, it works out at under €30 a year, and it comes already finished with red berries and pine cones. Compare that with what you'd pay for a real tree of the same height each December, before you add the cost of a stand, transport and disposal.

Which is better for the environment?

The honest answer: it depends on how long you keep it. A real tree that is recycled has a low footprint. An artificial tree is made from plastics, so its footprint is front-loaded. The longer you use it, the better it compares. If you go artificial, buy a quality tree you'll be happy with for many years, rather than a cheap one you'll replace in two.

What to look for in an artificial Christmas tree

1. Height. Measure your ceiling and leave around 30cm for the stand and a star or angel on top. Most Irish living rooms suit a 6ft or 7ft tree.
2. Full or slim. Full trees make a statement in a sitting room. Slim trees fit hallways, apartments and corners.
3. Tip count. More tips means a fuller tree with fewer gaps. As a guide, our 7ft trees have over 1,200 tips.
4. PE vs PVC. A higher share of PE tips gives a more realistic look.
5. Hinged branches. These save a lot of time compared with hook-on branches.
6. Pre-lit or unlit. Pre-lit trees cut set-up time. Unlit trees let you choose your own lights.
7. The stand. Look for a sturdy metal stand. Our full-size trees, like the Everlands Cozy Fir and Ben Nevis Pine, come with one included.

Our picks for every Irish home

For small spaces, windowsills and tabletops

• Premier 60cm Natural Touch Table Top Tree with Hessian Base – €22
• Everlands 90cm Allison Snowy Mini Tree in Pot – €50
• Premier 60cm FireBrights Pre-Lit Table Tree with Timer – €65

For hallways, apartments and tight corners (slim trees)

• Premier 7.5ft Slim Spruce Pine – €60
• Premier 7.5ft Snow Flocked Slim Spruce Pine – €105
• National Tree Company Newberry Spruce Slim 7.5ft – €250

For the sitting room showpiece

• Everlands Cozy Fir Flocked Tree 7ft – €275. It has 1,207 tips, a cream-white snowy finish, hinged branches and a metal stand. Also available in 6ft (€210) and 8ft (€385).
• Festive Ben Nevis Pine 7ft – €235. It has 1,361 tips and comes finished with berries and pine cones. Also available in 8ft (€315).

For the easiest possible set-up (pre-lit)

• Premier 90cm FireBrights Pre-Lit Tree, 100 Warm White LEDs – €99
• Premier 5ft Pre-Lit Potted Eldon Fir, 180 LEDs – €220
• Premier 5ft Pre-Lit Flocked Potted Eldon Fir, 180 LEDs – €249

The verdict

If the scent and tradition of a real tree matter most to your family, a real tree is hard to beat. If you want a tree that looks great all season, with no needles, no watering and no annual expense, a quality artificial tree is the smarter choice for most Irish homes. Buy it once and enjoy it for many Christmases to come.

See the full range in our Christmas Trees collection. We deliver nationwide across Ireland. You can also choose free click & collect, usually ready in 2 hours, or call into our Christmas Shop at Church Square, Monaghan, to see the trees in person. Finish the look with our wreaths, garlands and decorations.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an artificial Christmas tree last? A well-made artificial tree can last many years if you store it carefully. Pack it in a dry place, ideally in a storage bag, and fluff the branches out each year.

Do your Christmas trees come with a stand? Yes. Our full-size trees, such as the Everlands Cozy Fir and Festive Ben Nevis Pine, come with a sturdy metal stand. Table-top and potted trees sit on their own base. Check each product page for details.

What height Christmas tree do I need? Measure your ceiling height and subtract around 30cm. For a standard Irish living room with a 2.4m ceiling, a 6ft or 8ft tree usually works best.

What is a flocked Christmas tree? A flocked tree has a white, snow-like coating on its branches. It gives a wintery "just snowed" look without the mess of spray snow.

Do you deliver Christmas trees in Ireland? Yes, we deliver nationwide across Ireland. You can also order online and collect from our Monaghan store.