have to get an artificial christmas tree this year

[fortheluvofpooh]

last yr we did our usual go to the farm, cut the tree down and bring it home. I will miss that, but our 6 yr old cat decided that the tree didn't belong in the house so he decided to ...umm... mark his territory so to speak. SO we are avoiding that issue this yr and buying an artificial tree. I want one that looks almost real. If you have one where did you get it and do you think it looks really nice or are you disappointed in your purchase.
TIA
Lori

 

[bigfish2215]

We did the real tree once. I was fat and pregnant and I waddle though the tree farm only to find the one we wanted but my dh (moran) forgot the saw on the wagon. So we walked back in the mud and picked one already cut in the barn.
We got our at Menard's. I think they are only here in the midwest. It's huge and very full. I love Christmas and go all out on it. My tree is 7 and a half feet tall and I put about 10-12 strands of light on it. That's a plus with a fake tree you can put more lights on it and move the branches the way you want them to look. Don't go cheap on a fake one. Spend a little extra on a really nice tree because you'll have it for years.

Good Luck and Merry Christmas!!

 

[kldmom2000]

We have to have an artificial tree for 2 reasons:
1. We have forced hot-air heat so a real tree doesn't make it more than a week even if it was freshly cut
2. DD (6) was diagnosed with asthma last fall so we don't want to risk it

Some of the artificial trees are so lifelike now-we have a pre-lit one that we got from BJ's a few years ago. It comes in 3 pieces and you pop them together and then "fluff" the branches out.... no pineneedles to mess with all over the carpet

To enhance the ambience, I usually buy the Mistletoe tarts from Yankee Candle and burn them so that it "smells" like we have a real tree in the house

 

[mikkishelles]

We have to have an artificial tree for 2 reasons:
1. We have forced hot-air heat so a real tree doesn't make it more than a week even if it was freshly cut
2. DD (6) was diagnosed with asthma last fall so we don't want to risk it

Some of the artificial trees are so lifelike now-we have a pre-lit one that we got from BJ's a few years ago. It comes in 3 pieces and you pop them together and then "fluff" the branches out.... no pineneedles to mess with all over the carpet

To enhance the ambience, I usually buy the Mistletoe tarts from Yankee Candle and burn them so that it "smells" like we have a real tree in the house

We are in a similar situation. I love the real trees, but my son, who is 5, was diagnosed with asthma as an infant. I got my tree, an 8 1/2 foot, pre-lit tree the say after Christmas one year for about $40 at Fortunoff's. I have to say, I do not miss cleaning up all those pine needles that fall off the real ones!! Also, get a good Yankee Candle, like, say, "Mistletoe". The house will smell just like a real tree.

 

[KristiMc]

We have a artificial that we got from www .treeclassics. com. We have had it for 5 years and it is beautiful.

 

[pajules]

I got my artificial tree a few years ago at Michaels. I used one of their 50% off coupons and saved a bundle. We still have the tree and it still looks great. I will admit putting it together can be a little bit of a pain and time consuming. We have the kind where you have to install each branch and then "fluff." We got the tree before they had the "pop-up" trees and the ones that are already pre-lit.

Our tree is about 7 1/2 feet tall and very wide so it can take up a-lot of space, but I have found a solution when dealing with a smaller space, but still wanting a big tree. I put our tree in a corner, since I have to put the branches in one by one, I remove the ones in the back and push the tree closer to the corner. Instead of having a round tree, it's more like a triangle, but since you never see the back anyway, you're not really missing anything. I will admit the tree gets a little top heavy on the front, so you do need to add some type of weight onto the back side of the tree stand. You can use a cheap bag of sand or I've even just used a heavy blanket. I cover it with my tree skirt and voila it's Christmas!

I think another bonus for the artificial tree is you can keep them up longer. We put ours up the weekend after Thanksgiving and usually keep it up until at least the weekend after New Years.

 

[jellybeans0607]

I love love love my fake tree!!! We got it at target, it is 9 1/2 feet tall and cost about $400(I think). But I expect it to last 20 years. It is prelit and is the kind that comes in 3 sections, so no putting each branch in. It also has the life like branches.
here is the tree

Here you can see close up

 

[dreamin_disney]

the 1st few years we got real tress. One year the trees everywhere were lil and not so nice and very expensive. We decided it would be our last year getting a real one and spending so much $$$$. We found a really nice one on clearance at WW. Its a very nice tree and we always get compliments on it. People are shocked to find out its fake. It big and full. I also like it because no snails and no bad allergies to the smaell of pine-lol!

BTW- we've saved sooooooooooo much money since having it

 

[DISNEYNUTS]

We were forced into a "FAKE" tree when we were told our Daughter had severe Asthma and Allergies. We were so dissappointed as this was a huge tradition for us to go and FIND the perfect tree. We looked and researched online for months before christmas came and finally went to BRONNER's which is known as the biggest CHRISTMAS store in the world. (?) We found a beautiful tree that looks real. it is 9 1/2 feet tall and really full. We paid around $600. You can check out Bronners on line although I am not sure exact web address. just search Bronners.

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

We are also doing the fake Christmas tree this year, and I wanted to know 2 things:
1. the average price of a nice tree?
2. how long do fake trees stay nice?

Thanks!

 

[LOLCAT]

The cat can still pee on the fake tree, trust me I know this from experience

 

[bigfish2215]

Plan on spending about $200 on a really nice tree. Remember your not throwing your money away. If you buy a nice one it will last for years. I love my "fake" tree. We still go to the tree farm but that's when we get our wreaths now. Around here Menards, Home Depot and Lowe's has a really good selection. Or buy one more real tree this year and go the day after Christmas to get the fake one you'll save big $$$$$

 

[jellybeans0607]

We are also doing the fake Christmas tree this year, and I wanted to know 2 things:
1. the average price of a nice tree?
2. how long do fake trees stay nice?

Thanks!

A nice tree could run you anywhere from $200-$800. depends on the size and style you want.
They will stay as nice as you keep it. Buy a storage container for it or hang it from a rafter in a bag.
My father has been using the same tree ofr 28 years. I hope to have mune just as long.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I love love love my fake tree!!! We got it at target, it is 9 1/2 feet tall and cost about $400(I think). But I expect it to last 20 years. It is prelit and is the kind that comes in 3 sections, so no putting each branch in. It also has the life like branches.
here is the tree

Here you can see close up

I love the look of your tree, the brown on the needles makes it look real. BUT we only have 8 ft ceilings in our house. Do you know if they have it in a 7 1/2 ft version?

Also about kitty kat peeing on the tree... YIKES I did'nt think that would happen. We have always had real trees and have had the cat with real trees for 5 of those years. We figured that there was an animal scent on there that he didn't care for. I SOOOOO Hope he doesn't pee on the fake one.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

We bought a new fake tree in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, about 3 years ago when we were on vacation. Our first fake tree was 20 years old (and still looked really good) but we were ready for a change. We got it at The Christmas Place. They do have an online store christmasplace.com. I just looked at their website and they have a SALE right now. Mine is a 7.5 ft tree made by Puelo Tree Company - it is pre-lit with white lights and has "snow" on the ends. I LOVE IT!!

 

[mjantz]

We've had a fake tree our entire marriage & even before both of us had fake trees because of asthma. Honestly (& this is not directed at anyone here) I get a bit annoyed when people say 'Its not Christmas unless you get a real Christmas tree. Why would you want one of those fake ones?'. Yes, because watching my brother or DH & DS have allergy or asthma attacks really makes the holiday season complete.
We bought ours at Hobby Lobby one year after Christmas. I'd like to get a new one that's pre-lit but I don't know if that's in the budget cards right now.
I'll have to look into an evergreen-scented candle. It would make the house more festive.

 

[NJMomma]

We got our at Fortunoff's. Might too far a-field for you out in PA. They have lots of nice trees though. I have always had a "fake" tree, and I think they look just as nice (IMHO). The branches are sturdier, you can hang heavy ornaments.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...3&productId=100641324&N=10000003+90401+530423

have any of you been to homedepot to look at the trees? If so what do you think of this one?

 

[DISNEYNUTS]

We've had a fake tree our entire marriage & even before both of us had fake trees because of asthma. Honestly (& this is not directed at anyone here) I get a bit annoyed when people say 'Its not Christmas unless you get a real Christmas tree. Why would you want one of those fake ones?'. Yes, because watching my brother or DH & DS have allergy or asthma attacks really makes the holiday season complete.
We bought ours at Hobby Lobby one year after Christmas. I'd like to get a new one that's pre-lit but I don't know if that's in the budget cards right now.
I'll have to look into an evergreen-scented candle. It would make the house more festive.

I have had people say that to me too. I reply with yes Christmas is not complete without a emergency room visit and hospital stay. I love our tree we find other ways to have real too. we put garland and weaths up, outside of course.

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

Okay, so I was doing my Christmas tree "research", and I wanted opinions on what to go for. Do most people like height more than fullness?? slim trees??
I've also never done the pre-lit trees, does anyone have them, and are they worth the extra bucks?

Just wanted opinions, thanks!