Plastic or real? Or a Juniper instead? When it comes to choosing a nice Christmas tree, it’s hard to know, what really is organic and sustainable. A plastic tree, can of course be used several years in a row, and thus save the environment from excessive growing going to waste. On the other hand, a real tree, has a Divine scent and makes the holiday seem more homey, nice and natural. But, what are the alternatives?

When I lived down south of Sweden, I used to have a large chandelier made of black iron and designed by my mother, standing in a corner, that was as large as a mid-size tree, and that I would decorate with a couple of Christmas balls and garlands. Before this, I would buy a small Juniper, instead of a tree. This too has a nice scent and can last longer, without leaving any traces of dry spruce. And the other day… I found this nice option! A real tree, but small, in a pot. Isn’t this the most organic and eco-friendly alternative?

Imagine if we all would go outside into the woods and cut ourselves down a tree. That would be a million trees just in Stockholm, and no trees left in the forest! And all trashed in a couple of weeks! People could at least make wood of them. On the other hand, doesn’t it require non-organic material manufactured in a not eco-friendly way to make plastic trees? So, what if everybody bought small ones in a pot instead? And kept them on their terraces, or planted them outside, after the holidays? What if it’s even possible to keep them in a pot for next year? I think this would be a much more sustainable idea. Merry Christmas!

Photo from Plantagen, in Stockholm, Sweden.

UPDATE: I read in the news, that some of the used Christmas-trees in Sweden, are put into certain rivers to make it a playground for fish to mate. Pretty cool!