And honestly? We totally get why busy moms are making the switch.

Remember when picking out the perfect Christmas tree meant bundling up the kids, driving to a tree farm, and wrestling a fresh-cut pine into your SUV while dodging sticky sap and rogue branches? Yeah… those days are pretty much over for most families.

According to a brand new survey from the American Christmas Tree Association, a whopping 83% of households putting up a Christmas tree this year will choose an artificial one. That means only 17% of families—basically one in six—are still going the real tree route.

Let that sink in for a second. If you’re one of the few families still dragging home a fresh-cut Fraser fir, you’re now officially in the minority.

Why Are Artificial Christmas Trees Taking Over?

Look, we love the idea of a real Christmas tree as much as anyone. The smell, the tradition, the Instagram-worthy photos of the kids picking out the perfect tree. But let’s be real (pun intended): when you’re juggling work deadlines, school pickups, holiday shopping, and trying to keep some semblance of sanity during the busiest time of year, convenience wins.

Jami Warner, Executive Director of the American Christmas Tree Association, says families appreciate the “reliability, ease of setup, and the range of options available” Christmastreeassociation with artificial trees. The survey points to four major reasons artificial trees have become the standard:

1. Cost Savings: Sure, a quality artificial tree isn’t cheap upfront, but you can reuse it for years. Meanwhile, real Christmas trees can run $75-$200+ depending on size and location—and that’s money you’re spending every single year.

2. Convenience: No tying a tree to your car roof. No pine needles embedding themselves in your carpet for six months. No daily watering. No wondering if the tree is going to dry out before Christmas Day. You just pull it out of storage, fluff the branches, and you’re done.

3. Safety: Artificial trees are often made with fire-resistant materials and require less maintenance Christmastreeassociation, which means less worry about dried-out trees becoming fire hazards. As any parent knows, one less thing to worry about is priceless.

4. Consistency: Your artificial tree looks exactly the same every year. No bald spots, no crooked trunk, no “this side faces the wall” situation.

The Real Tree Experience Isn’t Completely Gone

Don’t get us wrong—if you’re one of the 17% still committed to the real tree experience, more power to you! There’s something special about those family memories at the tree farm, and the smell of fresh pine in your living room really can’t be replicated by a candle (though many of us try).

Plus, real tree farms support local agriculture, and real trees are biodegradable and often recyclable into mulch after the holidays. So if you have the time, energy, and patience for the whole process, it’s still a wonderful tradition.

The Bottom Line for Busy Families

This shift to artificial trees has been building for over a decade, and it makes total sense when you think about the reality of modern family life. Between work schedules, kids’ activities, and everything else on your plate, sometimes the easier option is the better option—and that’s totally okay.

Whether your tree is real or fake this year, what matters most is the memories you’re making with your family around it. And if those memories include not sweeping up pine needles every day or not driving across town with a tree strapped to your minivan? Well, that just means more time for the fun stuff like hot cocoa, cookie decorating, and listening to Froggy 102.7’s holiday music all season long.

What’s your take? Team Real Tree or Team Artificial? Let us know on Froggy 102.7’s Facebook page!

Sources: American Christmas Tree Association survey conducted by Ipsos, Fox 40