DO YOU PREFER REAL

or fake? Around the holidays, the debate over which type of

(what else?) is superior can get hot enough to make even Santa's blood boil.

For some 32.8 million Americans, it has to be a live tree, complete with pungent piney aroma and soft needles, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, a growers' group. Others prefer the no-fuss, no-mess ease of an artificial tree. A whopping 9.3 million Americans purchased artificial trees in 2005, according to the NCTA. But keep in mind, millions more used trees purchased during previous years.

Either way, a Christmas tree can be a pricey purchase. Expect to spend anywhere from $4 to $8 per foot for a live tree, depending on its quality and species. A good quality artificial tree, on the other hand, will set you back at least $100.

No matter which side of the divide you fall on, here's how to snag a great deal on that holiday tree:

Au Natural
Here's advice for those who prefer the real deal.

Faking It
Here's how to fake it without anyone knowing your secret.

Au Natural

Know your tree

in Gobles, Mich., for example, you'd pay $150 for a seven- to eight-foot Fraser Fir, which takes more than 10 years to grow to that height, and is more typically found in the Appalachian Mountains region. For a quicker-growing, nationally-available Scotch Pine of the same size, you'd pay just $105 a savings of 30%. And both have sturdy branches to handle heavy ornaments.

Size matters
Unless you want to add a hacksaw to your list of tree-trimming essentials, measure the height and width of the space you plan to put your tree. (Remember to deduct a few inches to accommodate a tree stand and tree topper ornament.) Because most trees at lots and farms won't be labeled in exact feet and inches, know your maximums in relation to your own height say, as tall as you are with your arm stretched above you, suggests Bill Dennis, a.k.a. "Captain Jack" of Captain Jack's Christmas Tree Farm in Ankeny, Iowa.

Touch it
To see if the tree is fresh, "grab a branch and run your hand along it toward you," says Rick Dungey, a spokesman for the National Christmas Tree Association. The branch should be flexible, rather than brittle. Dead brown needles near the trunk may fall freely, "but the fresh green needles on the outside should stay firmly attached," he says. If your touch prompts a shower of green, it's a sign the tree is already dying.

Forgo perfection
You don't need to buy the scraggliest, scrawniest tree, a la "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to trim your tree bill. But selecting a tree that's less than perfect can be an easy way to save. "A premium-grade tree is basically flawless, and the price reflects that," says Dungey. Consider a tree that's a little flat on one side ideal for placing against a wall or one with a few gaps that can be filled with ornaments.

Shop around
Don't just grab the first tree at the first lot you visit. Call around the tree farms and ask about prices, and visit a few lots. "There's such a selection, there's no need to buy a crummy tree," says Dungey. Lots get new shipments of trees periodically, so even waiting a few days can make a difference. "Go ahead and ask, 'When were these trees delivered?'" he says. And ask when the next shipment is expected.

Wait
For tips to talk your way into a discount, see our column Bargain Like a Pro Just don't expect to be able to strike a bargain everywhere. "If it's a tree farm, you're not going to get a price break because that tree will grow until next year," he says.

Faking It

Here's how to fake it without anyone knowing your secret.

Consider your options
Think there's less variety in an artificial tree than at your local lot? Think again, says Sandra Schafsnitz, assistant showroom manager at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Mich., a holiday specialty store that carries more than 250 models. Before you shop around, get an idea of what kind of tree you'd like. You'll find models that resemble a particular species, trees with lights (colored, white, LED), even trees that are predecorated. The more bells and whistles, the more you'll spend. A seven-foot-six-inch Grand Fir, for example, is $158. With lights, the tree would cost $259.

Know what size you need
When a live tree doesn't fit in your living room, your recourse is unappealing but simple you pull out a saw and some shears. But trimming isn't an option for artificial trees. Measure your space carefully before you buy. Deduct a few inches from the maximum height for a tree topper ornament.

Stand back...
Start your examination at a distance, suggests Thomas Harman, CEO of Balsam Hill, a manufacturer of artificial trees. "Does it have a shape that looks like a Christmas tree?" he asks. "Does it have enough branches? If you can see the center pole going up the tree, that's not a good tree." If possible, look at a model that hasn't been decorated you can more easily see any flaws.

...Then lean in
Run your hand along a branch, just as you would with a live tree. The main branches should have wire through to the very tip; otherwise, they'll be unable to support heavy ornaments. And the needles should never be loose. While you're up close, check out the tree stand. It should be sturdy and preferably made of metal, says Harman. "Plastic stands are a sign of a tree that's not going to last," says Harman. "They're just not sturdy enough."

Light up your life
If your holiday nightmares involve untangling miles of light strands and searching for the one broken bulb that keeps them from working, well, a prelit tree may be worth the extra outlay. "Most trees, so long as a broken light bulb stays in the socket, the rest of the bulbs will stay lit," says Schafsnitz. Look for a tree model that comes with a repair kit and replacement bulbs.

Seek out sales
Of course, you'll find plenty of bargain-basement prices after the holidays, when department stores are clearing their showrooms for spring seasonal items. But specialty retailers offer sales on artificial trees year-round, says Harman, as they introduce new models and phase out others.