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Choosing an artificial Christmas tree constitutes personal taste and budget. 

Since these trees’ value keeps appreciating year by year, it will be wise to plan appropriately.

Here are some factors to consider before buying a Christmas tree and how you can acquire a high-quality but cheap artificial tree for the holidays.

christmas tree buying guide copy

TREE SIZE

Christmas trees come in different sizes, ranging from 36 inches to a high 14 feet. 

Therefore, you should be sure of a tree size that will fit your home. 

How can you come up with the right measurements for an artificial tree? It is relatively easy.

Estimate the width of the space where you will want to stand your Christmas tree, and then adopt the formula below to be sure of the correct tree height for your ceilings.

artificial tree shapes

Mini-trees of up to 3ft are ideal for small spaces. 

Because of their lightweight, you can place them on elevated surfaces like tabletops. 

Medium-sized trees of between 3-6ft are perfect for low to standard-height ceilings and small floor spaces.

Trees of 6-8ft are suitable for larger rooms with ceilings of up to 9ft to balance the space. 

They are ideal for living rooms or foyers.

Finally, Trees of over 8ft often have a large circumference except for the pencil-shaped ones. 

Therefore, they are suitable for rooms with vaulted ceilings or ceiling of over 9ft like halls or ballrooms.

TREE shape

Christmas trees also come in different forms. 

You need to consider two things when choosing the condition of your tree:

– Space that will accommodate your tree

– Your taste in design

Extra-full Christmas trees have a large circumference with densely packed branches. 

Thus, they are perfect for larger rooms with enough floor space.

Many people prefer a full or medium evergreen artificial tree because its silhouette suits most decorating themes. 

It offers a classic traditional look that can complement any design.

Narrow, slender, or pencil trees are a versatile option for smaller rooms. 

They require few ornaments and decorations; hence, making them budget-friendly.

You can use narrow Christmas trees to dress up tight corners to achieve a more modern aesthetic.

Finally, the vast and twisted branches in sparse artificial trees create an organic silhouette, helping you enjoy nature’s raw beauty.

You can beautify sparse artificial trees with simple and few ornaments to give your space a modern nordic look.

cheap artificial tree

COLOR

A colored artificial Christmas trees will help to brighten your space, making it look extraordinary. 

So, what are the tips for choosing the perfect color for your artificial tree? Consider:

– The theme of your overall room

– How the color will fit your interior design décor

– The ornaments you want to display

If you still find it difficult to get a  perfect shade, you can use the color symbol or match it with your birthday stone.

If you have a jingling theme in mind, either a gold or silver Christmas trees will be great options. 

Shades like pink and blue will favor quirky shapes. 

In terms of color symbolism, red infuses energy/passion, yellow is for a cheerful vibe, and the color orange acknowledges mind creativity.

In terms of color distribution, we have Christmas trees with uniform colors and multiple colored patterns. 

Multiple-colored artificial trees look beautiful even without decorations. 

Therefore, you will not need many ornaments to dress them.

cheap artificial tree for your home
how to buy a cheap artificial tree

SPECIES OF ARTIFICIAL TREES

There is an uncountable number of artificial trees obtained from different trees like the pine, spruce, cider, and cypress, varying in color, shape, and size, among other features. 

Below are the three most common species of Christmas trees:

 

Colorado Blue Spruce: It is an evergreen, pyramid-shaped artificial tree with silvery-blue tones on the branches. 

It also has strong stems that can hold heavy ornaments. 

It can hold its needles after the cut for as long as you keep refilling its water reservoir.

Scotch Pine: This is one of the long-lasting artificial tree species with little fragrance, which can maintain its needles and good looks even if its water dries. 

It has sharp needles ranging from 1-3 inches and from bright to dark-green shades. Its sturdy and dense branches can accommodate ornaments of any weight and size.

Fraser Fir: It also has a pyramidal shape. It has many branches with irregular distribution and ample space between them for ornament hanging. 

The pleasant fragrance and the dark blue-green soft needles of this tree make it suitable for indoor and outdoor decorating.

PRE-LIT VS. UNLIT CHRISTMAS TREES

A pre-lit tree is an artificial Christmas tree prewired and strung with non-removable Christmas lights embedded within its artificial branches. 

It can have LED, fiber-optic, or traditional mini-bulb lights.

However, it is massive, and failing lights can be a big disappointment. 

Dealers can assemble pre-lit trees before packaging or sell them as a kit for the users to build themselves.

On the other hand, unlit trees do not come prewired. 

You will have the advantage of choosing your favorite style and color of lights. 

However, you will have to dedicate a lot of time to decorations. 

Also to note, unlit trees account for only 2% of all artificial trees so you are more than likely to purchase a pre-lit tree. 

THE BUYING PROCESS OF A CHEAP ARTIFICIAL TREE

Before buying an artificial tree, consider the following factors to be sure you are getting a quality product from a dependable company:

– Length of the company’s warranty

– The health of the company offering the warranty

– The reputation of the company

– Company’s customer ratings

After deciding where to shop for your Christmas tree, select the correct tree size and shape for your home. 

After that, consider the type of material (PVC or PE), branches (hinged or hooked), decorations (pre-lit or unlit), and the attached stand.

If you are budget conscious, an unlit tree will be the best option since it is cheaper. 

Hooked trees are also less costly. 

If you want an easy setup, then opt for artificial trees with hinged branches.

Test the tree by shaking it a little bit. 

Falling needles means that the tree is drying; dry trees are fire hazards. 

Be sure to pick one with a pleasant smell, and always go for trees that are fire retardant. 

Finally, make sure you have a safe way of transporting the tree before buying to avoid damage and protect your investment.

You can find cheap artificial trees from tree stores, local supermarkets, or online shops that offer delivery within your locality.

FAQS: HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A CHEAP ARTIFICIAL TREE IS OF GOOD QUALITY?

a). The injuries that the Christmas tree can cause- A high-quality artificial tree should be free of sharp points

b). The risk of the tree’s flammability- A good quality Christmas tree has a “fire retardant” label, meaning it has been tested and approved for sale

c). A high-quality artificial Christmas tree should be non-toxic

HOW MUCH DO ARTIFICIAL TREES COST?

Depending on size and quality, the price of artificial Christmas trees varies from as low as $40 to more than $1000. 

These values may be a bit higher when considering other factors like whether it is pre-lit or not.