Preparing for the Holidays: What's Best, a Real or Artificial Christmas Tree?

An ABC/Washington Post poll conducted a year ago revealed that 58% of Americans bought an artificial Christmas tree for the holiday season. So why has the artificial Christmas tree surged in popularity? The preference for artificial Christmas trees over real Christmas trees boils down to simplicity. Consumers think they will spend less time worrying about their tree, because they are easier to assemble, there is nothing to clean up, they don't require water, they often come prelit, and they last season after season. In short, convenience seems to be the biggest motivator.

San Francisco, CA (PRWeb) November 22, 2006 -- Year over year, artificial Christmas trees continue to supplant traditional Christmas trees as the home decoration of choice during the holiday season. An ABC/Washington Post poll conducted a year ago revealed that 58% of Americans bought an artificial Christmas tree for the holiday season.

So why has the artificial Christmas tree surged in popularity? There are a number of factors. It's been discovered that an aversion to allergies has motivated artificial Christmas tree shoppers. Research indicates that around 100 species of real Christmas trees are known to contribute to dust, pollen and other allergic irritants that cause many to spend their holiday season sneezing and wheezing.

Safety is another reason artificial Christmas trees have enjoyed a growth in popularity. Between 1999-2002 Christmas tree fires caused 14 deaths and over $16.2 million in property damage. Prelit artificial Christmas trees are constructed with flame-retardant materials, as well as bulbs that are less susceptible to twisting and burnout, helping reduce malfunction.

However, the preference for artificial Christmas trees over real Christmas trees boils down to simplicity. Consumers think they will spend less time worrying about their tree, because they are easier to assemble, there is nothing to clean up, they don't require water, they often come prelit, and they last season after season. In short, convenience seems to be the biggest motivator.

A lot of companies have pushed the ease associated with artificial Christmas trees to a new level by offering online shopping and free delivery, saving customers the annual hassle of driving to a tree lot to pick out a mediocre tree along with hundreds of other people.

High-end artificial Christmas tree vendors like Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Company have developed sites as user friendly as Apple's online store; once logged in, the customer sees a guide comparing numerous artificial Christmas trees, from four to 12 feet, from the Vermont Signature Collection to small outdoor potted trees, all the while dispelling the notion that an artificial tree is not traditional or festive.

"These aren't your parents' artificial Christmas trees," explains Thomas Harman, CEO of Balsam Hill. "Shoppers can now buy an authentic Christmas tree that's prelit and hassle-free. We're working to make it easier to shop and compare artificial trees online. We emphasize the fact that beautiful, quality artificial trees are not a myth. They come in many shapes and sizes, and they're so real that you'll be hard-pressed to tell the difference."

According to Harman, the William J. Clinton Library Foundation will unveil a Balsam Hill tree - the nine foot California Bigcone Douglas Fir (http://www.balsamhill.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=dou%2DT) - at their first annual Winter Wonderland Festival in December, and talk hosts Megan Mullally and Ellen DeGeneres will feature Balsam Hill trees, wreaths, and garlands as part of their set décor this year.

Retailers like Balsam Hill (http://www.balsamhill.com) have become successful demonstrating to the public that realistic artificial Christmas trees do exist, and it's likely that through the efforts of the artificial Christmas tree industry, more people will be going artificial this Christmas. Who knows, you may be surprised to find one in your living room come the holidays.

About Balsam Hill:

Balsam Hill was founded on the idea that artificial Christmas trees (http://www.balsamhill.com/Artificial-Christmas-Trees-s/1.htm) should look real. Whether you select an artificial tree due to allergies, fire safety laws, or just for the simplicity and ease of an artificial tree, Balsam Hill hopes you'll enjoy the artistry and craftsmanship of our products as much as we do.

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