How to Find the Best Artificial Tree
A guide to shopping for your perfect artificial Christmas tree.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
At last, it’s tree time. I have been posting a few artificial tree deals for the last few weeks, but I felt like it was time to give them some proper attention! This is always a bit harder for me because I love a good real tree. Like, I really love one. I love the process of going to pick one out, the arguments that aren’t really arguments that come out because everyone has an opinion on fluffiness and shape (even Wells), and the smell of fir filling my home. The older my kids get though, (okay maybe the older I get), the more I realize that real trees really aren’t the right route for our family… at least not in all the rooms we like to have trees. I’ve made promises for big boy trees this year that I intend to keep! And you know what? With some of these artificial trees I found, I might not be missing the real ones as much as I thought! (Maybe). I certainly won’t be missing the needles everywhere and the extra allergies that the pine brings in.
Since my house is split level, I like to have a douse of holiday on each floor, especially when it comes to trees. This year, we’re set to have a Christmas tree in the living area, a tree in the den, and a tree in Wells’ room! Maybe one in the dining area too… I am still deciding! I’ve sourced a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes, and I can’t wait to share all my finds with you! Happy clicking!
Finding the Best Artificial Tree
There are so many ways to pick a fake Christmas tree, but I have it boiled down to my lucky seven: size, shape, pre-lit/decorated, branch type, material, number of attachments, and stand attachment.
tree sizing
When picking the right tree size, I actually recommend starting backwards. Look at how the tree is disassembled and be sure to consider if you have space to store it! Some trees piece out in collapsable pieces, making them easier to store. If you’re wanting a huge tree, it will be an investment, so you want to make sure you have room to store it properly until the next year!
My best tip is to pick a tree that is at least six inches from the tip of the tree to the ceiling. If you are someone that likes a good tree topper, then you will need to leave about 12 inches. If you need to cut your artificial tree in anyway to make it shorter, you will want to have wire cutters handy! Make sure you are trimming the tree around the wiring if your tree is pre-lit.
Tree Sizing Example: If your ceiling height is a standard nine feet, and your topper is 8 - 12 inches tall, you’ll want a 7.5 foot tree.
2. tree shapes
Picking the right tree shape for your room is completely dependent on the shape of your room! If you have a super spacious area in your den or living room, then you should go for a wide, fluffy tree! Narrower options work better for rooms with limited space available, or in hallways, bedrooms, or corner spaces. I go for the wider look when multiple angles of the tree are going to be visible! My go-to range is between 56 and 64 inches in width.
If you’re looking for a more natural looking evergreen tree, look for trees that are tapered in width. This means it will get progressively thinner as you get closer to the top of the tree. Slim or pencil like trees normally keep their thin shape at the bottom and the top.
3. pre-lit trees
Believe it or not, I think that lights are one of the biggest factors that can change the look of tree. The size, shape and color of the bulb can make a huge difference! There is definitely a convenience factor that comes with choosing a pre-lit tree, but you lose your ability to change out the look of your tree as your style changes. It also can tend to be a pain if one of the lights goes out. I would rather change a strand of lights than have to change my tree!
White lights are my go-to. You really can’t convince me otherwise. But, if you’re wanting a bit more of a nostalgic vibe, I have sourced a few large bulb, colorful lights! Pre-lit trees make for a much quicker and simpler tree setup so you can get straight to the fun part – decorating! Unlit trees offer creative freedom with decorating as you can choose the color of your lights as well as the size of the bulbs while also choosing how to arrange the lights on your tree.
4. branch type
No, I am not talking about fir or pine here. Branches on artificial trees normally come one of two ways: hinged or hooked. Branches that come hinged come attached to the tree when you open the box, and they can be stored attached to the tree. They normally fold into themselves. Hooked branches come in separate pieces and hook themselves into the tree when you are assembling it. It is normally the difference in a tree that comes in three separate parts versus a tree that comes completely disassembled. Your storing preferences should really decide what type of branches you want! It also depends on how much you want to invest. Hinged branches are normally found on more expensive trees because they can be pre-lit and require little to no assembly (minus fluffing). Hooked branches are found on more affordable trees, but you cannot have a pre-lit hooked tree. You’ll have to add your own lights, which some may prefer!
5. material
Artificial trees are normally made from PVC or PE. A PVC tree is more artificial looking, but there are a few benefits. Its color will not fade. It is also fire-resistant, making storing the tree safer. However, PVC trees normally come with wired branches, so they can tend to look a tad more artificial. PE needles look more authentic because their needles are malleable and formed in the shape of a tree. They are made with moulded parts from real trees. They have 3D needles, giving them a life-like appearance in comparison with flat PVC needles.
6. number of attachments
This may feel like a strange thing to think through, but it’s on the best ways to evaluate the quality of the tree. Usually, the higher number of tips, the better the quality of the tree. The more tips the tree has, the more full your tree will look. Essentially, if I’m seeing the plastic pole trunk in the middle of a tree, I am steering clear. Sometimes, you can find artificial trees that have trunks especially designed to look like a faux trunk, but I still prefer the full look of a multi-tip tree.
7. tree stand
I look for trees with metal stands over plastic ones. I have a few reasons for this! One, metal stands hold a tree steadier, and trust me, with dogs and kids running around, a tree is bound to take a couple hits! I also feel like the metal stands hold up better than a plastic that can get really hot with lights left on. You also don’t have to use the stand that comes with the tree, you can remove it and add your own!
Christmas Tree Hacks
When it comes to deciding how much trimming you will need, it’s a numbers game. Here are a few tricks:
How many lights? You generally want to determine how many feet of lighting based on how big your tree is. A good rule of thumb is 100 lights per foot. If your tree is fuller in circumference, go with 150 lights per foot.
How many ornaments? I like to keep around 20 ornaments per foot, so you can still see parts of the tree poking through.
How much tinsel? Since I like to keep the green showing through, I generally like around 9 feet of trimming per foot.
tree skirt hack!
If you can’t decide on a tree skirt you love, then you can always use a tablecloth or bedsheet from your linen closet. Simply half the material, give it a twist and wrap it around your tree. Just make sure to pull sections out to give it a gathered effect.
the best artificial trees i’ve found!
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be dropping all my tips and tricks for trimming the trees! (If you haven’t seen, I’ve already posted about garlands and wreaths here.) I can’t wait to share them all with you. Also here’s a total mom hack: Christmas tree boxes make pretty great fort boxes! Sometimes it really is the simple things that mean the most. Wells and I put my dining room tree up today and I loved every minute of slowing down and cherishing the questions and little hands that helped. I hope you find the perfect tree for your family!
