10 Things to Consider Before Buying an Artificial Christmas Tree

In the market for a Christmas tree? When thinking about what kind of tree to buy for the upcoming holiday season, there is a lot to consider. There are so many options and usually it comes down to getting a real tree or a fake tree.

We are advocates of artificial trees over real trees. Sure, real trees bring the scent of pine indoors (you can also decorate outdoors), but artificial trees can be reused every year making them more economical.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that artificial trees are blatantly fake looking. However, if you buy from the right company, your tree will look just like a real tree so it’s all about finding the right company and the right tree.

Maybe this is going to be your first Christmas with a fake tree? If that’s the case, you need this post! We will guide you through all the considerations you should make when deciding which artificial tree is right for you and your home. 

Arguably the most important thing to consider is finding an artificial tree that looks real. It’s no secret that there is a plethora of options when it comes to buying your tree so be sure to choose a reputable brand.

Do your homework and don’t settle for a cheap tree that looks mediocre. Invest in a nice tree that looks just like a real tree and will impress all of your house guests. The right tree will have a trunk, branches and needles that all look completely realistic. 

Viewing trees online? That can make it harder to judge how realistic your potential tree will look like so be sure to digest some consumer reviews and research the brand.

Some artificial trees are harder to assemble than others. Just like with finding a realistic looking tree, it’s important to research which tree is easiest to assemble.
If you’re buying your tree from the store, be sure to ask an employee to show you how the trees are assembled. If you’re buying your tree online, research the site and see if they have a section on tree assembly. The right brand will make this easy to research. If you like the way the tree looks but can’t find any information on tree assembly, reach out to customer service for that brand.
The holidays are supposed to be fun so don’t get a tree that is going to be frustrating to assemble every year.

Sick of dealing with tangled strands of Christmas lights? Or how about the frustration when one bulb burns out and it messes up the whole string of lights? If these conundrums resonate with you, consider opting for a pre-lit tree.
Many artificial Christmas trees come pre-lit. So that means you don’t have to deal with tangled lights. It also means that when one bulb burns out, the rest of the bulbs still work.
A pre-lit tree can come in classic white lights, beautiful multi-colored lights, festive red lights and more! The lights sit on the branches and you don’t have to worry about hiding a bunch of cords. Just make sure it’s easy to plug in and you’ll be good to go this holiday season.

When it comes to Christmas tree purchase timing, it’s crucial to plan ahead. As you can probably guess, artificial tree supply dwindles during the Christmas tree season. So, in order to get the tree you want, purchase it by September 1. You’ll be glad you did.
Don’t wait until everyone else is buying their trees so that your tree choice doesn’t run out of stock. And the good news is that if you go with an artificial tree, you’ll only have to worry about timing this year since you’ll reuse your tree for the next decade. This one-time early buying will set you up for years to come.

Before your purchase your tree, you need to decide where you’re going to put the tree. This will dictate how tall of a tree you get and how wide your tree is.
You also want to make sure that the space you put your tree has a power outlet.
Pick your space, measure it and use these measurements when researching which tree to purchase.
Many people move a chair or table in order to create a decent size space for their trees so if you feel like there isn’t much space for a tree consider rearranging furniture.
Keep in mind that artificial trees have branches that are pliable (another reason why they are better than real trees) and this allows you to bend the branches if needed to make the tree fit in a space.

Keep in mind that an artificial tree is a one-time purchase while real trees need to be purchased every year. This fact may justify a bigger budget for an artificial tree.
If your budget is too low, you may end up with a plastic tree that looks, well, plastic. You get what you pay for so aim for something that is of high quality.
Once you’ve set your budget, start shopping around for trees that fit within that budget. Logically, the bigger the tree, the more it costs. So, if you’re working with a low budget, consider a smaller tree not a cheaper tree so that you don’t compromise quality.

Do you know how you want to decorate your tree but haven’t decided on a tree yet? No problem, it’s important to find a tree that supports your décor vision.
Some trees come partially decorated with berries and/or pinecones. This adds a rustic or natural feel to how your tree is displayed.
If you have an idea of how you want to decorate your tree, be sure to pick a tree that aligns with this vision. Perhaps you want to use a unique color of lights? Then don’t get a pre-lit tree. Maybe you want to add large ornaments to the branches? Then get a bigger tree to be able to support these ornaments. Do you want to use décor items that are a little heavy? Be sure to pick a sturdy tree and ask the brand how much weight the tree can support. You get the drift.

Maintaining an artificial tree is so much easier than maintaining a real tree. Fake trees don’t have to be watered and you don’t have to worry about cleaning up pine needles that fall all over the floor.
In fact, silk trees are a breeze to maintain. Simply dust them off with a feather duster once a week when you’re dusting your other furniture. At either the beginning or end of each Christmas season, when your tree doesn’t have decorations on it, use a rag dipped in soapy water to get a more detailed cleaning of your tree. This will make your tree look great for years to come.

Artificial trees require a tree stand just like real trees do. Usually the tree stands can adjust to accommodate the exact size of your tree.
If you don’t have a specific tree stand in mind, then it’s wise to purchase a tree that comes with a stand. Many of them do and this cuts down on the purchases you have to make.
Many people put a Christmas tree skirt over the stand to cover it up and hide cords, so this is a plausible option as well.

One of the most important things that you need to consider when purchasing a fake tree is that the company you buy it from has a good reputation. This requires a bit of research on your part.
Look through their products, talk to their staff and read third party reviews to make sure that the brand is reputable and that your peers like the type of tree you’re considering. Bloggers are a viable option when it comes to researching Christmas tree brands because they give unbiased reviews of trees they personally have used.

Here at Nearly Natural, we pride ourselves in being experts in artificial Christmas trees so our website may be a good place to start when it comes to your fake tree hunting.

Feeling a little overwhelmed? We did just throw a lot of considerations at you. But, they’re all important and remember, you only need to buy an artificial tree once and it can be reused for an average of 10 years.
The key takeaways from this post are that faux trees are better than real trees because they’re more economical and the right fake tree will look just like the real thing.

Nearly Natural specializes in artificial flowers, trees and plants and we are happy to help you with your artificial Christmas tree research.
Have an artificial Christmas tree that you love? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below!