I am curious about the pre-lit trees. I haven't been to the stores to really check into it, but is there a way to change a bulb? Are they the regular mini bulbs that you can buy anywhere? One goes out, the rest stay lit? I know I spend most of my time, replacing, testing, stealing bulbs from old sets, etc. on the strands that I use on the tree.
I finally got smart a few years back about assembling the tree. I leave most of it together, except for the large bottom branches. Luckily, I have room in the basement and I throw a sheet over it to keep the dust off. I leave the light strands on the top section, so I don't have to stand on a ladder to put them on each year. But I still put the rest of the lights on and I agree, it is the least fun of the whole project.