By Max Cassett

Christmas trees are a staple for many during the holiday season, and many University of Maryland students look forward to coming home to an ornamented tree. However, the debate between plastic versus real trees is a contentious one. Here are different Terps takes on this annual discussion. 

A Dec. 2023 article from Forbes claims that “The majority of experts agree that natural Christmas tree prices will be about 10 to 15% higher this year than last year”, with the average price last year reportedly being $80. 

Hugh Rodell of North Star Christmas Trees, a Christmas Tree lot company, says that the Christmas tree lot that he works on sells for about $70 on average. He says that inflation has adjusted the price of Christmas trees over the years. He also attributes the rising prices to labor costs and utilities such as electricity and gas expenses. Rodell still prefers real trees in his home.

“The real truth is it’s better for the environment, even with the carbon footprint of growing a tree you’re still better off because it can be recycled at the end of the season. Unlike artificial turf,” Rodell said.

Emily Lim and Olivia Minniefield are sorority sisters at the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority who both have plastic Christmas trees. Minniefeild prefers her tree plastic because it’s convenient to set up and the lights are included. 

Though both have plastic trees they still have plenty of friends who choose to bring a real one into their home. They agreed that though their friends’ houses smell fantastic with the authentic flora, the mess on needles is less than to be desired. Minniefield has no desire to shake up her Christmas traditions, since having an artificial tree is what her family has been doing since she was a child.

 “I do think that if I was really big into the Christmas traditions and had the time to go cut down a tree and maintain one I would possibly look into it,” Lim said. 

Max Mody is a sophomore on the pre-med track majoring in neuroscience. His family has always used a plastic tree, and like Minniefield and Lim, says the majority of his friends have a plastic light up Christmas as well.  

“We just didn’t want to have to deal with the hassle of all of it. Just the maintenance and then going and getting it, picking one, and cutting it down,” Mody said. However Mody’s roommate Elliot Mead is the exception when it comes to Christmas trees. Mead has had a real tree for multiple years of different sizes and types. Despite some who may think it’s an antiquated and laborious process, Mead enjoys welcoming a real tree into his home.

“It’s like a tradition after Thanksgiving. That Friday morning, me and my family all wake up, we get breakfast, we go cut down a tree, bring it back, put up all the lights, we decorate it,” Mead said.