Anyone have experience buying artificial christmas trees?

[sjinhan]

We are planning to buy an artificial christmas tree this year. I went to lowes last night and saw the ones they had for under $100 and man they looked pretty horrible...

anyone got any suggestions on what brand or type of artificial christmas trees that not only look good but will last me good 3-5 years? Also how much money do I have to realistically have to spend for a good one to buy?

[DeanCollins]

we got a 10' artificial tree at Sam's club for $100 about 10 years ago and got a lot of use out of it. I'm no longer living in my house with the vaulted ceiling, so it's in boxes.

[mw11385]

I got a Seven footer at Kohl's a few days after Christmas two years ago for about $70.00. IIRC, it was 1/2 price. It looked great last year... lights are already on it (Bonus).
Time will tell how it lasts...

[Elessar78]

We got one last year from Lowe's at a pretty good price. I want to say it was something ridiculous like $50. 7Ft and it looks pretty good and we love it. Nothing to clean up!

[IONTOP]

I actually run a business that would help you, it's called Match Me Merry!

What I do:

I come to your house to survey the space the tree (Referenced as the property) will occupy and the surrounding color scheme. I then show you a full color catalog of properties that we can acquire for your holiday needs. I will also (free of charge) take the property out of it's box (you would have to assemble the property)... Prices are low because it's not yet Thanksgiving, (my prices start at $2500 plus travel, food, strip club and hotel expenses)

PM me for more details...

[twa]

I've got three in the attic you can have,ones 30 yrs old and still looks the same

[Capt. Kaos]

We are kind of xmas tree experts, we put up between 8 & 11 each year. The biggest suggestion I can give you is buy after the season. You can get them 50%-75% off and save a ton of money.

For this season I would just buy a decent cheap tree but look around for "the one" and then take note of which stores carry it. Dec. 26th start watching the stores for inventory and markdowns. Voila, nice tree for a fraction of the cost.

As far as longevity, 3-5 years is nothing for a good quality tree. We have a couple that are pushing 10 years old and look brand new.

We don't dwell on name brands or particular stores, we are more concerned with the appearance of each type of tree.

Thanks for the reminder, I need to start breaking out the trees. :D

[Bostic Hog]

We don't dwell on name brands or particular stores, we are more concerned with the appearance of each type of tree.


There are brand names for artificial trees? HAHA -- I would have never known. I thought they were all "generic".

[BKSkinsFan]

I bought a 7' prelit tree from Walmart last year, it's not too bad, but I imagine I will get a nice one in a couple years, and will wait until after the season for a better price.

Also, if you have enough storage space, leaving the tree assembled and putting on a christmas tree cover takes a lot of the pain of assembling and playing with the branches to make it look fuller.

[chipwhich]

If you are looking for an artificial tree for $100 or less it will look uh....well.... artificial....

A "real" looking tree would cost you over $500.

Depends on what your reason for buying is :)

[Mickalino]

Also how much money do I have to realistically have to spend for a good one to buy?


If you're main concerns are low price, and a compact tree, then I recommend the Charlie Brown model.

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/CharlieBrownTree%5B1%5D.jpg

[Fan since a Fetus]

Listen to Capt Kaos. Buy after the season. You can get a really great deal on an awesome tree after Christmas.

It should last you a long time as long as you take care of it.

[praise_gibbs]

I will never buy an artificial tree for christmas.

To me, its ALL about the real tree. I'm pretty sure that I would buy a real tree even if I were allergic. lol

[twa]

I will never buy an artificial tree for christmas.

To me, its ALL about the real tree. I'm pretty sure that I would buy a real tree even if I were allergic. lol

I used to say that....then the daughter was allergic

[praise_gibbs]

I used to say that....then the daughter was allergic

http://www.ki4u.com/mask-suit.jpg



(In all seriousness, I have my girl and her daughter living with me now, and have a daughter expected to be born any day now. I would do the same as you had. Just cracking a joke.)

[Mickalino]

I will never buy an artificial tree for christmas.
To me, its ALL about the real tree.

Just get yourself an artificial tree, and spray a can of this on it, and you'll never know it's fake.

http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/108639_front200.jpg

Or if you can't afford that, just hang one of these from the tree, and you'll get almost the same "scent" effect, to make it seem natural

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41rJfRxtL3L._SL500_AA280_.jpg

[DeanCollins]

I will never buy an artificial tree for christmas.

To me, its ALL about the real tree. I'm pretty sure that I would buy a real tree even if I were allergic. lol

I hope by "real" you mean a live tree that's bagged and burlapped and gets planted.

[Mickalino]

Whether you go with an artificial tree, or a real one, just don't make this mistake, when lighting the tree......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJW3Jpqjx5s

[praise_gibbs]

I hope by "real" you mean a live tree that's bagged and burlapped and gets planted.

Yes and no. :silly:

[rdsknbill]

I will never buy an artificial tree for christmas.

To me, its ALL about the real tree. I'm pretty sure that I would buy a real tree even if I were allergic. lol

Amen brother. I hate artificial trees

[Kosher Ham]

I have always had a real one. No reason except tradition really.

[sjinhan]

We are kind of xmas tree experts, we put up between 8 & 11 each year. The biggest suggestion I can give you is buy after the season. You can get them 50%-75% off and save a ton of money.

For this season I would just buy a decent cheap tree but look around for "the one" and then take note of which stores carry it. Dec. 26th start watching the stores for inventory and markdowns. Voila, nice tree for a fraction of the cost.

As far as longevity, 3-5 years is nothing for a good quality tree. We have a couple that are pushing 10 years old and look brand new.

We don't dwell on name brands or particular stores, we are more concerned with the appearance of each type of tree.

Thanks for the reminder, I need to start breaking out the trees. :D

hmm thanks for the advice... Maybe thats what we will do... get a cheaper one for this year and get a real nice one after Christmas as you suggested.