Artificial Christmas Trees

[wheeler1]

Hello All,

After 3 straight NIGHTMARISH years with our freshly cut Christmas tree, we have made the decision to buy an artificial one. I never thought I would hear myself saying these words!!

I wont go into the gory details about what has happened...You name it, it happened to us!

So, now I'm wondering if anyone has any advice about what kind or brand may be best. And where is the best place to find one???

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

 

[debster812]

I have NO idea what brand ours is. We got it 2 days after Christmas, about 5 years ago, after DS had the SCARIEST asthma attack, induced by the fresh tree. I have to say, the fully decorated, fully lit tree looked BEAUTIFUL on the deck.

Ours is pre-lit, about 8' tall, and goes together and comes apart with no problems year after year.

 

[kayeandjim00]

I'm too looking for a good artificial tree. Our complex doesn't allow live trees problem is that we have cats - and we bought an inexpensive one last year just to see how it would go and it was awful!! The cats kept getting in the tree and broke lots of branches So I am considering going with a small one on top of the entertainment center or else buy a REALLY nice one and hope it's stronger. Any ideas?

 

[tevagirl]

I never thought I would have an artificial tree either.

That changed when the last real one we had fell on top of my dh and he had to lay underneath it for 30 minutes until my ds could come and lift it off of him.

 

[Laura]

We bought ours last year from Sears. It says "Decorator's Best Just Cut Blue Spruce" on the box, but I think it's Santa's Best in the store. Our is 7' tall, pre-lit. The outermost branches actually look realistic, with "needles" and everything, not like pipe cleaners. Those are the "filler" branches inside. We're really happy with it.

I figure if I still want a nice pine smell in the house, we can always get a wreath.

 

[DawnCt1]

We bought ours a few days before Christmas. The weather was awful, no one wanted to go to cut one down and I found it at Michaels Craft shop a few days before Christmas, prelit and HALF PRICE. Wait until the Christmas season is in full swing and they start chopping prices.

 

[Jeafl]

Since we have 2 with asthma and allergies in my house, we have always had artificial trees. We actually set up THREE full size trees in my house every year.

We have had so many over the years that we have learned a few things. Make sure you DO NOT get the kind where there are a million loose branches that you have to poke into individual holes. We had that kind for years and it was a major pain in the butt. Also, some of those branches broke, and we could never get the bare spots fully covered.

The best kind are the ones that are pre-lit and in 3 sections that you just hook together. When they are pre-lit, the lights are very tightly wound around the entire branches, so there is a lot of depth to the lighting. They come in both colored lights and all white (or clear). I know people may object and say what happens if the lights burn out, but honestly, that has never been a problem for us. If you buy a good tree, the lights are usually high quality and will last for many years.

Also, a lot of the artificial trees now have different shades of green throughout the tree. One of ours even has some brownish areas on the far inside which makes it look more realistic.

Some of the trees that I have seen the past couple of years have lower branches that are getting closer and closer to the ground. They look gorgeous, but if you want to put presents underneath, it doesn't work.

Just keep in mind that when you see them set up in the store sometimes they are not decorated. They always look better and more realistic when they are fully decorated with all your special ornaments.

Good luck finding the perfect tree!

 

[DawnCt1]

I hope ours looks as good this year as it did last.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Due to asthma we have to have artificial too! The absolute BEST trees are here:

http://www.frontgate.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1152&itemType=CATEGORY&path=1,2,556,1152

 

[Fan2CSkr]

We bought ours last year from Sears. It says "Decorator's Best Just Cut Blue Spruce" on the box, but I think it's Santa's Best in the store. Our is 7' tall, pre-lit. The outermost branches actually look realistic, with "needles" and everything, not like pipe cleaners. Those are the "filler" branches inside. We're really happy with it.

I figure if I still want a nice pine smell in the house, we can always get a wreath.

I love that smell and Yankee Candle replicates it best!

 

[mamatojon]

I love my prelit tree. I got it at WalMart, I have no idea what brand it is. Just make sure it is one of the ones that if one light burns out the rest stay lit. My grandpa got a prelit tree about 6 or 7 years ago and every year he has to check the bulbs because one goes out and about 1/3 of the tree is dark.

 

[wheeler1]

Hi again,

THANKS for all the responses!! I can see I'm not alone! I have always insisted on cutting a fresh tree down, for years and years we have done it this way. A couple of years back we put hardwood floors down, on the day the living room was finished we put our tree up.

I'm guessing its not that hard to figure out what happened next...So, when I was done sweeping up the carnage....and putting the tree back up again....the cat decided to climb it (first time btw, 13 yrs old!)....and the few remaining glass ornaments smashed to bits...

So then fast forward to last chrismas, we get it up, decorated, it looks lovely. I proceed to fill the base with water. The water then leaks out the unseen crack in the bottom of the base, all over the hardwood floor....down comes the tree....up goes the tree again, this time it will not stay in its base for anything. We end up bunjy cording it to a curtain rod.

My husband and I looked at each other and I was the first to say it....

So anyway, thank you all for the tips and suggestions. I now have a plan and know where to start and what to look for!

 

[Stacerita]

We have 12 artificial trees. And I have gotten them at different places through out the years. Target is one of the places. They have a decent selection and are usually on display. I have never paid full price for any of my trees. I generally buy then after Christmas. I have also bought trees at the Hallmark store and an old home store. Some are pre lighted, some are not, and two are white trees. Just shop around till you find something you like.

I will buy another fake one after the season this year, and buy new ornaments and lights to go with it. Its become a tradition for us.

We do also get one fresh tree each year.