Are you thinking of buying an artificial Christmas tree? Here’s what to look for to make your life easier and your tree decorating more fun!
I’ve been needing a new Christmas tree for a while now, like 15 years. But I just couldn’t pull the trigger because there are so many options, and the one we had was fine… sort of. I mean, the tree itself still worked, even if the lights didn’t.
When the lights stopped working several years ago, we (meaning my husband) figured we could just remove the lights and use string lights like we used to do with real trees. Which was true, but it was such a pain.
Not only did I have to set up the tree, risking my soft, sensitive forearm skin from the scratchy faux pine needles, but then I had to battle several strings of light, only a few of which worked at any given Christmas season. Which meant a last minute trip to Walmart over Black Friday weekend, a proposition that gives me an eye twitch.
1. How Real Do You Want It to Look?
One of the first things I considered when shopping for a new tree was how real I wanted it to look. I’m someone who loves the appearance of a fresh-cut tree but not the hassle of maintaining one. That’s why I lean toward artificial trees that are designed to look as lifelike as possible. I want the tree to give off the illusion that I went into the woods, cut it down myself, and brought it home.
When shopping for a tree, it’s important to consider how realistic you want it to be. Many artificial trees today are designed to closely mimic real trees with needles that look and feel surprisingly authentic. The tree I received from King of Christmas was incredibly realistic, and I couldn’t believe how much it resembled a real tree. The details in the branches, the fullness, and the color all made it look like a tree straight out of a Christmas movie.
But of course, realism isn’t for everyone. Maybe you’re going for a more whimsical or unique holiday look. If that’s the case, there are plenty of fun, non-traditional options out there. You could go with a colorful tree, like a trendy pink or blue, or even a frosted flocked tree that looks like it’s covered in snow. I briefly considered a bold option like a pink tree, but when I suggested it to my husband, he gave me the look, so we stuck with the more traditional route. Whatever your style, there’s a tree out there that will fit your vision.
2. Pay Attention to the Number and Color of Lights
If you’re in the market for a pre-lit tree, one of the most important things to consider is the lighting. How many lights does the tree have, and what color are they? This is a key factor that can really change the look and feel of your tree.
For example, my new tree from King of Christmas has 600 warm white lights. This number of lights is perfect for a 7.5-foot tree—it looks bright and full without being too overwhelming. If you’re getting a larger tree, you’ll want to make sure it has enough lights to cover the entire height and width, so it looks evenly lit. On the other hand, if you’re placing your tree in a smaller space, you don’t want it to be too overpowering, so fewer lights may be a better option.
The color of the lights is another important decision. You can choose between white lights, which tend to give a more classic and elegant look, or multicolor lights, which can make your tree feel festive and fun. I personally love both, so it was a tough decision! In the end, I chose white lights because they’re versatile and go well with any color scheme. Plus, they allow me to switch up my ornament colors whenever I want. I’m thinking of trying out pink ornaments this year, though knowing me, I’ll probably end up decorating the tree with a mismatched collection of sentimental ornaments we’ve gathered over the years. Some of my favorites include the little handprint ornaments my kids made when they were in preschool, along with some handmade chalkboard ornaments and a fun faux-gingerbread house garland. These personal touches make my tree feel special and unique to my family.
3. Make Sure It’s Easy to Set Up
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that the setup process can make or break your Christmas tree experience. After dealing with my old tree for so long, I dreaded the annual task of putting it together. Wrestling with heavy branches and tangled light strings always felt like more of a burden than a joy.
This year, my new pre-lit tree completely changed the game. King of Christmas designed the tree with ease of use in mind. They’ve even gone a step further by placing the light connectors inside the tree’s trunk. This means that when you stack the sections of the tree, the lights automatically connect! No more searching for the right plugs or worrying about tangled wires. I can’t tell you how much time and frustration this saved me. I was raving about it for days, and my family probably got tired of hearing how great it was!
Another thing I learned this year is that protecting your skin is a must. When fluffing the branches, the artificial needles can scratch your arms. I always used to think that was just part of the process, but this year I discovered the magic of using long gloves. King of Christmas actually includes special “tree-fluffing gloves” with your tree purchase, which I thought was unnecessary at first, but after using them, I realized how helpful they are. Now, instead of scratching up my arms while fluffing the tree, I can enjoy the process without a worry. If your tree doesn’t come with gloves, any long cleaning gloves will do the trick.
4. Think About Storage
Once the holiday season is over, you’ll need to store your artificial tree until next year. Artificial trees are large and take up a lot of space, so it’s important to think ahead about how you’re going to store it. A tree storage bag is a great solution that will keep your tree protected and easy to store.
You can find Christmas tree storage bags online or at your local home improvement store. But if you’re lucky, like I was, your tree may come with its own storage bag. King of Christmas includes a storage bag with most of their full-size trees, so you don’t have to worry about finding the right size. It’s a simple way to keep your tree in great condition year after year, and it saves you the hassle of making yet another trip to the store during the holiday season.
Enjoy the Season with Less Stress
With my new tree, I’m finally able to enjoy setting up and decorating for Christmas again. No more tangled lights, scratched arms, or last-minute trips to the store. Everything is easier, and I can focus on the fun parts of the holiday—like decorating the tree with my family, drinking hot chocolate, and listening to Christmas music.
If you’ve been holding off on buying a new tree like I did, I hope these tips help make your decision easier. Whether you’re looking for something realistic or fun, pre-lit or unlit, there’s a perfect tree out there waiting for you. Now, I’m off to finish decorating my tree (and the rest of the house), and I hope you’re doing the same. Happy Christmas decorating, friends!
