If you’re anything like us, preparing for the holiday season can be half the fun. Setting up your outdoor Christmas lights, hanging ornaments, and adding festive touches throughout your home is always a wonderful way to kick off the season.
But there’s no question that the pride and joy of every holiday home is the Christmas tree. Whether yours is an adorably miniature variety or one that’s extra-tall, Christmas trees are undoubtedly one of the most important parts of your décor. But when it comes time to shop for a new one, the process can be a bit daunting – how do you pick the perfect Christmas tree?
Your go-to holiday experts from St. Nick’s Christmas & Collectibles have put together a quick and simple guide to buying the best Christmas tree for your upcoming festivities. With a few useful tips in hand, you’ll be more than ready to start holiday tree shopping now.
How to Choose the Best Artificial Christmas Tree
Although there’s certainly a certain charm to a live Christmas tree, a growing number of people are making the switch to artificial trees instead. The convenience of a faux tree simply can’t be beaten, and skipping the messy needles and daily watering is a major plus. Today, high-quality artificial trees look incredibly authentic, worlds away from the obviously “fake” trees of yesteryear.
Use these guidelines to find the best artificial Christmas trees and choose your match made in holiday heaven.
- Invest in a quality tree that’s made to last. It can be tempting to pick a budget tree, but the low-quality materials and construction make it easy to tell it’s faux. Many beautifully made artificial trees are a better investment, including affordable options that won’t break the holiday budget.
- Know what to look for if you want an extra-realistic look. If you have a specific type of live tree that you’ve always liked the look of, search for a faux version with a similar profile and look. Also, keep an eye out for trees with a mix of needle styles, as well as a higher number of tips, for more realism.
- Choose a tree that fits your space. Bigger isn’t always better unless you have a large, high-ceilinged room to fill. In that case, a very tall tree can be a stunning showstopper. But in general, use this rule of thumb: You want your tree to be the center of attention in a room, but not overtake the entire space, either. Taking the time to measure and shop accordingly can help you get a professionally styled look.
- Consider mini Christmas trees for small spaces or additional rooms. If you’re working with limited space, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a tree – try a miniature tree to fit holiday cheer into any home. You can also incorporate mini trees throughout your home to bring holiday décor into bedrooms, a playroom or office, or even the bathrooms!
Tips for Setting Up Your New Tree
Once you’ve found your perfect tree, it’s time to get it assembled, lit, and decorated. We’ve created a useful guide to help make set-up simple and fun – let’s dive right into the holly jolly fun!
Shaping an Artificial Christmas Tree
It’s completely normal for your artificial tree to look a little flat directly out of the box because it’s been carefully packed to fit securely in the packaging. With just a little bit of “fluffing,” you’ll have a stunning holiday tree set up and ready to decorate in no time.
Here are our top tips to help you learn how to shape an artificial Christmas tree so that it can look its very best:
- First, assemble the bottom portion of the tree. Shape that section, and work your way up, section by section.
- It may be helpful to secure any branches above your work away so that they are out of your way. If you have a bungee cord on hand, it works perfectly for this task.
- Shape the very top of the tree before you place it in its final position. Holding the top until last – and shaping it before installing it – will make it much easier.
- As you fan out each branch, situate most pieces to create an upswept look. Then, arrange a few pieces so that they are pointing downwards. This combination produces the most natural look when applied to your entire tree.
- If your tree is pre-lit, plug the light section(s) in before you start fluffing. Keep them lit so that you can check the lights as you work your way through each branch. Because you’ll be closely handling each branch, you can easily spot bad bulbs.
- Take your time! Fluffing your tree is well worth the effort because it will dramatically change the final look.
- When you think you’re finished, take a few steps back to see your tree. Walk around the tree so that you get views from every angle. Look for any noticeable gaps or oddly-bent branches, making fixes as necessary.
Lighting a Christmas Tree
Lights, Christmas, action – or something like that, anyway! Once your tree is freshly fluffed, it’s time to turn your attention to lights. Some of our brightest Christmas light tips and tricks:
A pre-lit Christmas tree is nearly always the best choice, both for convenience and aesthetics. You can skip the frustration of tangled strings of lights because all of the work has already been done for you! Plus, the lights are perfectly placed for flawless spacing and a gorgeous glow.
Note: Replace burned-out bulbs regularly on a pre-lit tree to extend its life as long as possible. Using a light-keeper gun makes this annual task quick and easy.
If you don’t have a pre-lit tree or simply prefer to hang your own lights, estimate about 100 lights (bulbs) for every foot of a tree’s height. (For example, a 7-foot tree would need at least 700 lights). String your lights by starting at the lower branches and working your way upwards, weaving the strand over and under each branch. Always use a surge protector for safety.
Selecting and Hanging Ornaments, Garland, and Other Trimmings
Now, you can move on to everyone’s favorite part: decorating. The possibilities are limitless, so you can create a tree that matches your holiday style, personality, and home décor. There are so many different ways to style a holiday tree, from glamourous sparkle to kitschy vintage fun.
Collecting ornaments can be a fun annual tradition, whether you choose personalized holiday ornaments or pick new pieces to add to a themed collection. Other special touches can include a holiday train and track, scented icicles, or even a rotating base.
Explore an Exceptional Selection of Christmas Trees for Sale Online and In-Store
Of course, the very best way to find a Christmas tree that measures up to your magical expectations is to shop with a holiday retailer you trust. Quality construction, premium materials, and thoughtful designs make a world of difference. And when it comes to choosing the centerpiece of your holiday home, investing in an excellent-quality Christmas tree is a must.
St. Nick’s Christmas & Collectibles makes your holiday shopping experience easy, enjoyable, and affordable. Whether you’re shopping our online shop or visiting our Colorado Christmas store in person, you’ll find an outstanding variety of trees, ornaments, décor, gifts, and so much more. There’s no better place for Christmas trees for sale online because we offer the ultimate quality, variety, style, and service.
Deck the halls and trim the tree with a collection of holiday décor that’s as beautiful as it is meaningful – and get it all from St. Nick’s. Explore our entire collection of Christmas trees online and visit our Littleton holiday décor store today!
