If you drive once around the block on chains you’ll never want to drive on them again.
Chains are meant only for the most severe winter conditions, in which they work, and only for short distances, but if conditions are that bad you should just forget about driving and remain in place.
Forget chains.
Winter tires, on the other hand, are a very good idea, and make more difference than you think they would. For normal winter driving I’d rather have four good winter tires than chains.
Regardless of the tire choice or drivetrain configuration, it’s driver ability that matters most. If you or your significant other have little or no experience driving in snow, there isn’t a tire or a vehicle that will save you.
You MUST get some experience driving in snow before you go out on public roads. Without it you are liability to yourself, your family, and the other motorists on the road.
If nothing else is available, a large, empty, snow-covered parking lot can reveal a wealth of snow-driving knowledge for those willing to learn.
As others have said, all-season tires (brand new) might serve you well, assuming you know how to drive in snow.
But you say you don’t.
Good luck.