Are pre-lit Christmas Trees worth it?

[Robbi]

We bought one 25 years ago because our son has asthma. The trees have come a long way since that time. We've had 3 over the years. Our latest was bought in 2005 and still looks great. None of the lights have burned out. The artificial trees are much easier to decorate. The branches can hold heavier decorations.

 

[LBIJim]

Is this a record for a resurrected thread? Close to 10 years old!!

We've had a pre-lit fake tree for about 7 or 8 years now. It comes in 3 pieces and it's very easy to put together. You just need to shape the branches a little. Never had any problems with certain sections of lights not working. It's a Martha Stewart one from when K-Mart still sold MS stuff.

Jim

 

[dyna]

The 1st 1 I bought worked really well but when I moved I left it for my DD. Last yr when I needed a tree I ended up buying like 5 prelite trees NONE of them all the lights worked at the same time.

I ended up with a new in box prelite tree from the goodwill for 10.00 the top strand of lights did not work on it but I had a strand that I used on it an made do with it. For a 10.00 tree it was really pretty lot better than some I'd seen in stores for much more money. It's only 6'ft tho I could use an 8' in my house easy but it's just DH an I an the house has only 1 front window fcing street so the tree not even seen from the street.

 

[lovin'fl]

I have now had 2 fake trees (married 16 years). The 1st was not pre-lit and we had to string the lights around it and it was a pain...BUT...the 2nd one came with the lights attached and when 1 light would go out it would take out an entire section of lights and we could never find the culprit. We fiddled with it for a few years trying to make it look nice (adding our own mini strings of lights) and fix the lights, but 2 Christmases ago it was so bad (so many sections of lights out) that I just tossed it at the dump. DONE! We went to Disney last Xmas and did not put up a tree, so I need to figure out what to do this Xmas. Fake or real?...real is so messy and some of my family (inlaws) have allergies. I really like the fake ones with what looks like snow on it (snow flocked?). They are such a pain to store and then drag out each year and they get all crunched up in storage. I hate sitting there trying to un-crunch it each year. I really am not into decorating...probably because I get NO help from the other 4 members of my family (I even used to get up on the ladder and hang icicle lights myself. My dad always had a nice display on our house and DH has no interest in doing it whatsoever. Gave up doing that a few years back). Last year was great...to be at Disney and not having to do all that decorating, baking, shopping (all my inlaws went to Disney too, so we didn't exchange gifts and my kids got some money to spend at Disney...I only had to buy for my mom and brother and I booked a cruise for my mom), wrapping and cards (I did send some cards) by myself. Oh, and lets not forget the UN-decorating which I also have to do all by myself and lug all the bins back down to the basement....bah humbug, I hate Xmas.

 

[MissMichigan]

I don't like the pre-lit ones at all. I've always had artificial trees though. Growing up we had a huge one that dad would put together and then string the lights on. It seemed like a pain, so when I got out on my own I bought a pre-lit one. It only lasted a few years before the whole middle section of lights died.

Last year I bought a 7 1/2 foot unlit artificial, and some LED lights. I love it. It pops right together, and I can easily string the lights myself. I love having the fake tree because it can be up the whole season.

 

[lovin'fl]

Is this a record for a resurrected thread? Close to 10 years old!!

Oh wow...didn't notice that. Too funny!

 

[Disney Doll]

We love ours.

The only thing I would say is buy a good one.
If you can, go to a place where you can see them displayed set up, so yu can see what the lights look like, if there are enough etc.

 

[diznee25]

Funny that this thread is 10 years old, but at least the info is still relevant!

We didn't have great luck with a pre-lit tree. Back in 2007, we spent around $300 on one. First year was great. Second year, one of the strands of lights went out. Third year, another strand went out, so 2/3 of our tree didn't have lights working. DH discover those 2 strands shorted out...nothing he could do. So basically we had a pre-lit tree for 2 years, and only the first year with all lights working!

DH ended up cutting off the pre-lit lights, which is a big pain, and we bought some LED lights. Going on our 4th year with these LED lights!

So much easier just getting a bare tree, (artificial or real), and stringing the lights.

Granted, nowadays they do sell pre-lit trees with LED lights. Back in 2007, you couldn't find LED lights.

diznee25

 

[DVC-Don]

Yep, old thread, but I'm considering going from our pre lit tree (about 6 years old) to a newer LED lit tree after this season is over. I'll get a better price in early January. The LED's use a lot less power and last a lot longer.

 

[ilovemk76]

Loved it until a light string went out. They must be popular since it is hard to find a regular tree.

 

[focusondisney]

Is this a record for a resurrected thread? Close to 10 years old!![/B]
We've had a pre-lit fake tree for about 7 or 8 years now. It comes in 3 pieces and it's very easy to put together. You just need to shape the branches a little. Never had any problems with certain sections of lights not working. It's a Martha Stewart one from when K-Mart still sold MS stuff.

Jim

Quite possibly! KMart doesn't sell the Marth Stewert stuff anymore? Don't shop there so i didn't know that, but they always looked good in the ads.


We finally broke down & bought a Bethlehem Lights prelite tree from QVC last year. Looked & debated for 2 years. Even started a thread here about them. Got it in & loved it. Supposed to be the kind that would stay lit if 1 light went out. About 3 weeks later, yep, middle section went out. Took DH & I about 30 mins to find the burnt out bulb. Few weeks later, QVC senrt a message about problems with the light & offered a "repair" kit. (One of those cheap light tester things with a few spare bulbs. ).

Had no further problems & we loved the ease & not having to srting lights (I HATE!!! doing that). About 3 weeks ago, I got a email, voice mail & snail message from QVC. Don't use the tree!! The foot pedal may be deffective & has caused a few FIRES! They offered a replacement stand with a different foot pedal (if they have any left) or a refund. DH was able to replace the foot pedal on his own, so we are asking for the refund. Figured that way, if there is a further problem, we can just purchase a new tree on our own.


At least they are doing something . But can't believe all the issues. I thought Bethlehem Lights was a good brand.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

We have had a prelit one for a few years. At least 5-6. Lights have gone out but my hubby is handy and fixes them. Last year we decided to just do LED lights on it...left the others on...got the big LED old fashioned looking lights and put on. Can't tell old prelit lights on there.

 

[scbelleatheart]

Like my home too much to take the chance of having it burn down using a live tree. I have seen too many fires caused by live trees. I will keep it simple and use pre-lit artificial trees.Besides, they are only up for a few weeks. Get the scented ornaments to make it smell real.
Have you ever seen a real tree go up in flames? Just seconds.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I put up 2 trees. The newer one is pre-lit. The older one is a Mountain King and is not pre-lit. It is a much nicer, fuller tree than the pre-lit one.

TC

 

[mckryan]

Third year using my pre-lit tree that was not cheap, and over half the lights have burned out. I don't mind replacing the bulbs, but I cannot find replacement bulbs that will fit them!!! I am so frustrated! I wish I had not bought a pre-lit tree.

 

[Tink415]

Just a hint, for those of you with artificial trees that aren't prelit...
There is no special lighting technique for those pre lit trees, I work in a christmas store year round, and we do the lighting too. When you put up your tree, just string your lights per section, if your tree has three sections, wire each section individually. Instead of going around and around with the lights, start at the trunk of the tree, and go out and back on each limb, wrapping tightly around the limb with the light string. It is simple, but time consuming the first time. After you wire it, you have a pre lit tree.
When you get ready to store the tree, just take it apart, and leave those lights on it.

Buy the lights you like, and use what you already have.........

This is a great tip. I did this when we bought our 9 ft 3 section artificial tree, I think there were instructions in the directions. Love it

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Third year using my pre-lit tree that was not cheap, and over half the lights have burned out. I don't mind replacing the bulbs, but I cannot find replacement bulbs that will fit them!!! I am so frustrated! I wish I had not bought a pre-lit tree.

I think they are nice, but my mother is having the same issue. We had a string of lights go out last year so we added a set. We added another set this year for the same reason and after we got it all decorated and everything another set went out. it's very frustrating!

I had a tree a few years ago that came in three sections just like hers does. I put tons of lights on it myself in each section. Then I connected them together so that when I took the tree down I could leave the lights on. I made my own pre lit tree. I loved it! After a while I replaced it with a new one thinking I cld do the same thing and it was an old fashioned piece by piece tree and I HATE IT! I have put it up for the last time this year! I want another three piece tree that is not pre lit. This way I can add even more lights and replace strands easier.

 

[LBIJim]

Quite possibly! KMart doesn't sell the Marth Stewert stuff anymore? Don't shop there so i didn't know that, but they always looked good in the ads.

It's been a few years since KMart sold Martha Stewart items. Macy's and Home Depot sell her brand. Maybe others places do also. The KMart Xmas trees seem to be Jacklyn Smith brand now.

Saw a SUV with a cut tree on top drive by a few hours ago. Much too early for cut trees IMO.

Jim

 

[Tuffcookie]

Just a hint, for those of you with artificial trees that aren't prelit...
There is no special lighting technique for those pre lit trees, I work in a christmas store year round, and we do the lighting too. When you put up your tree, just string your lights per section, if your tree has three sections, wire each section individually. Instead of going around and around with the lights, start at the trunk of the tree, and go out and back on each limb, wrapping tightly around the limb with the light string. It is simple, but time consuming the first time. After you wire it, you have a pre lit tree.
When you get ready to store the tree, just take it apart, and leave those lights on it.

I love this idea! Thank you!!!

TC