With so many artificial Christmas tree options today, I am making it easier for you to pick one with these tips to choose the best artificial Christmas tree.
There are many things to consider before buying a fake Christmas tree, which is why I put this list together. I had many of the same questions when I went looking for an artificial Christmas tree for a family member.
So, I am sharing what I learned along the way to help you choose the perfect artificial Christmas tree that's right for your home!
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Which is Better: Real vs Fake Christmas Tree
Growing up, at Christmas we would all bundle up and pack in the car to go pick out a real tree at a local Christmas tree lot. As we walked down row after row of trees, the fresh scent of pine lingered in the cold, crisp Minnesota air.
After I finally convinced my mom to get a fake tree a few years ago, I set about researching trees that were budget friendly. That is when I learned how to pick the best one for her. In the end, I found her this lovely 6.5 feet pre-lit Dunhill Fir tree with 650 lights and over 1,800 tips. My sister and an aunt bought the same one since then.
Some people love a real tree at the holidays, but I did not want the hassle and expense. Plus, the allergens were a problem for some of us. In the end, a fake tree was the best option for our home.
Shop the photo: Patterned rug (top) | Braided jute rug, off white, similar (bottom) | Chinoiserie ornaments(similar) | Blue cable knit cashmere throw blanket (similar) or Blue cable knit cotton throw blanket (similar) | Beige pink flowers | Rattan star and tree ornament set (these may come back in stock around the holiday season) | Navy velvet ribbon
Reasons to Buy an artificial Christmas tree:
- A real tree you have to buy every year, whereas a fake tree you can use year after year, saving time and money
- You can choose the height of an artificial tree
- Mold and other allergens can be a problem with real trees
- Pre-lit fake trees save time and you get to choose the color lights you want
- Real trees get dry, so you have to water them and deal with messy needles falling on the floor
There is also the added benefit of being able to fluff and manipulate the tips and branches of a fake tree that you can't necessarily do with a real tree. With a fake tree you get more consistent branches that can make it easier to decorate.
Our Christmas Tree
We bought our artificial Christmas tree at Home Depot about 10 years ago. We were renting an apartment at the time and I did not want to buy a tall, expensive faux tree for a future house I knew nothing about.
Instead, I focused on height and diameter, number of tips, and making sure it was pre-lit. Among a few rows of fake trees, we found a lovely 7 foot pre-lit slim Benjamin Fir with 863 tips and 300 warm white LED lights. The branches were a mix of realistic and classic needles. It was a fairly slim tree at 41 inches in diameter at the base, which fit perfectly in our small apartment living room.
Shop the photo: Glass finial ornaments (alternative) | Blue frosted glass ball ornaments set | White flowers (alternative)
The box indicated the tree was easy to assemble in "1, 2, 3," because it came in three interlocking pieces, and it definitely was. A metal stand was also included.
Eventually, we moved and bought a house. By a happy accident, the tree fit perfectly in the living room of our new house that we still live in. It is the Christmas tree we use each year to this day.
Our Tree Decorated Over the Years
Over the years, I have decorated our tree in a number of ways. One year I decorated a Dreamy Pastel Christmas Tree, which was my first foray into non-traditional Christmas colors. Since then, I haven't looked back.
The year before last I came up with a Cozy Coastal Inspired Christmas Tree. It had creamy caramel colored ribbons, white flowers, and rattan and blue ornaments. What a pretty tree that was.
Last year I created a Captivating Christmas Tree Decorated with Flowers. It is my favorite tree so far. I made it very full looking using two different faux flowers. I also added these charming blue and white chinoiserie ornaments (similar) that I plan to buy a few more to put on our tree this year.
When and Where to Shop for Artificial Christmas Trees
Shop for artificial Christmas trees starting as early as July or August when stock is usually better, and you may even score a sale.
Sign up for retailer emails in advance of your purchase to get alerts for upcoming sales, exclusive deals, coupons, and more.
Retailers that specialize in fake Christmas trees include:
- Balsam Hill
- King of Christmas
- National Tree Company
Big Box retailers, such as Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Target, and Walmart carry trees during the holiday season. Online retailers like Amazon offer trees online year-round.
Something to keep in mind is that visiting local stores allows you to see details of trees in person that are difficult to evaluate online.
Determine the Right Tree Height
I believe determining the height of the tree is the first step. That way you don't fall in love with a tree that is either too tall or too short for the room you plan to use it in.
Based on the height of your ceilings, consider choosing a tree that is at least a couple feet shorter. This ensures you can place a topper on the tree without interference. Moreover, it will look more proportional to the room height versus right up to the ceiling or way below it. Be sure to take into consideration the height of whatever tree stand, basket, or other vessel you will place the tree in.
In my opinion it is better to have a tree be short than too tall.
With a ceiling height of 10 feet, our 7 foot tree hits just at the middle of the top of our front windows. I use a pretty blanket or tree skirt to cover the metal stand it came with.
I actually did a Designer-Inspired Painted Tree Topper Makeover on our star topper earlier this year. I can't wait to place it atop our tree this Christmas!
Type of Tree: Fir, Spruce, Cedar, and More
Choosing the type of artificial Christmas tree is kind of like getting a lesson on the many types of evergreen trees.
From Douglas Fir to Blue Spruce to Cedar, and all the nuances in between, there are often half a dozen (or more) types of faux trees to select from at any given retailer. What you need to decide is what type you like to narrow it down.
Our Benjamin Fir faux tree is no longer sold, but you can find other types of Fir trees at most retailers. Below is a close up of the branches on our tree that are a mix of realistic looking and classic needles.
How to select the type of faux evergreen:
- Realistic looking, or real-touch, branches typically increase the cost
- Mixed branches give a fake tree more dimension
- Some tree types may have green or blue-ish branches
- Flocked trees add a wintery, elegant feel
A Pre-lit or Unlit Tree
Do you want a pre-lit tree? Do you prefer to choose the exact lights you want and string them around the tree yourself?
Buying a pre-lit tree saves time and, while not universal, the cost difference may be marginal when you factor in the cost to purchase lights separately. Additionally, many faux trees today come with a remote that allows you to easily change the color from white to other solid colors to multi-colors.
Our tree came pre-lit with 300 warm white LED lights. I did not want color lights, just a soft white glow.
In the end, it's up to you. I recommend pricing out the lights you think you want and comparing that to the cost of a pre-lit tree. If the cost doesn't matter, go with what you want.
Tree Shape
Most retailers carry different shapes of fake Christmas trees. Even sparse trees - think a Charlie Brown tree - have become quite popular.
When it comes to tree shapes, you can usually choose between the following:
- Full - Has a high number of branches/tips for a tree with fewer gaps/holes
- Wide - Characterized by a larger diameter, so it will take up more space
- Slim - Smaller in diameter and works well in tight spaces
- Sparse - Intentionally has very few branches/tips, like the tree Charlie Brown had in his Christmas special
Many people want a full tree, so look at the number of branches/tips when reading the specifications.
Our tree is perfect for our living room at a slim 41 inches in diameter.
A Note on Tree Width
Pay particular attention to the width of the tree. Last year I purchased a flocked tree for which I only somewhat measured. When the tree arrived, and we set up the bottom (widest) portion, it felt too wide for our living room.
Measure the space you plan to place your tree to make sure it fits. You could go so far as to make a cardboard cutout, a blanket, or throw pillows to gauge spacing.
Tree Assembly and Storage
Today, many fake trees come easy to assemble in a few pieces that lock together. Check the assembly instructions before purchasing so you aren't surprised when it comes time to set it up.
Our inexpensive faux tree sets up in a few minutes. It has three pieces that connect in the middle.
Some artificial Christmas trees come with a storage bag specifically for the tree. You can also find tree storage bags online.
While I do not have experience with any of these bags, below are a few tree storage bags I found that may work for you.
- Heavy duty tree storage bag - Fits a 7.5 or 9 foot tree
- Rolling tree storage bag - Fits up to a 9 foot tree
- Extra large tree storage bag - Fits up to a 12 foot tree
We still store our tree in the box it came in. Every year I think about buying a tree storage bag to make it easier to put away. Maybe this year I will actually buy one.
Once you know what you want, choosing an artificial Christmas tree is fairly straightforward. Hopefully these tips help you pick the best tree for your home.
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