Going out to choose a Christmas tree is a fun family activity that gets everyone into the holiday spirit. But what type should you buy? Real Christmas trees come with the smell of fresh pine needles, which is hard to replicate using artificial scents. They are also biodegradable and often repurposed as mulch once the holiday season is over. Buying a real Christmas tree is a great way to support small local businesses. However, fake Christmas trees provide a no-mess and no-maintenance alternative to real ones. They can be reused every year, so investing in a decent-quality fake tree is a good way to save money over time. Most artificial Christmas trees are made with fire-resistant materials, which makes them safer than real ones.