10 Common Mistakes to Avoid Before Buying an Artificial Christmas Tree

Are you looking to buy an artificial Christmas tree this holiday season? Artificial Christmas trees are a great and hassle-free way to decorate your home during the holidays, but before you make your purchase, it’s important to be informed. Here are 10 common mistakes that shoppers make when buying an artificial Christmas tree, so you can avoid them and get the perfect tree for you and your family.

Credit: National Tree Company Pre-Lit Artificial Full Christmas Tree

1. What is an artificial Christmas tree?

An artificial Christmas tree is a popular holiday decoration that lasts much longer than fresh-cut trees. Artificial trees come in a variety of sizes and styles, from small tabletop versions to large ones fit for high ceilings. They’re often more cost-effective than fresh-cut trees since you can use them for multiple holiday seasons.

2. What are the types of artificial Christmas trees?

The most common types of artificial Christmas trees include those with pre-lit LED or incandescent lights, unlit models that require the user to buy separate light kits, and pre-decorated trees where all the decorations come included with the setup.

Other variations may include color-changing lights, soft flocking finishes that resemble real snow, or branches with pine needles. The size you choose depends on your ceiling's height, how many people need to walk around it, and if you will hang large ornaments from its branches. Lastly, ensure you have enough room in your storage when it's torn down for next year!

3. Benefits of an Artificial Christmas Tree

When it comes to shopping for Christmas trees, there are many benefits to opting for an artificial tree over a real one.

• Artificial trees look realistic and make decorating hassle-free since they come in pre-lit styles with lights already strung.

• Additionally, they don't require any of the upkeep that comes with a living tree, like watering, sweeping up needles, and trimming branches.

• Artificial trees come in many shapes, types, and sizes, so there's sure to be one that fits your decor style—you can even get extra creative with a white or pink artificial tree!

• Plus, since an artificial tree can be used year after year with minimal effort, it ends up being significantly less expensive than buying a real tree for each holiday season.

4. Tips on Buying an Artificial Christmas Tree

When shopping for an artificial Christmas tree, it's tempting to just select a prelit tree that looks beautiful and skip the hassle of decorating.

Here are some tips to ensure you make the best choice when selecting your artificial Christmas tree.

• Go for quality over price.

If you're shopping on a budget, there are great discounts available for good-quality trees. However, be wary of low-quality trees being sold at bargain prices; what looks like a deal may not be worth its price tag if the tree deteriorates quickly after purchase or is difficult to assemble.

• Make sure the tree you choose fits your space.

Measure your space before purchasing your artificial tree so, after you put it together, it will fit in your intended location without taking up too much room or needing to be squeezed into spaces it doesn’t fit nicely into.

• Consider the tree's shape.

Whether narrow or wide, slender or full-bodied, having an idea in mind of how you want your space to look with the shape and size of the tree will help make shopping fun and enjoyable instead of frustrating and overwhelming when choosing from a large selection.

• Check out novelty trees for unique shapes and colors.

If traditional does not appeal to you, choose from any number of novelty trees with interesting designs in silver, blue, and pink colors available now at many stores during the holiday season.

• Focus on Lighting Systems

When looking at pre-lit trees, most come as pull-apart models with light sets already attached. Also check what type of wiring systems are marked, either incandescent or LED (light-emitting diodes).

Incandescent bulbs come in multiple colors and are classified by numbers based on wattage, with the lower numbers being smaller wattage lights and the higher numbers usually having higher watt values, which generally mean brighter lights but ones that can also get hotter, versus LED bulbs, which come in basically two sizes with independent color temperature ratings—warm white or cool white.

LEDs run cooler, use less energy than incandescents, and last longer, so keep this important information in mind when making your choice.

• Before making an online purchase, read the reviews.

Shopping online can also offer more selection than trips to multiple stores, but remember that reading reviews can give valuable information and insight you are not able to determine while shopping online, so take time out to read thoroughly before investing money into something only based on the person who wrote the review's biased opinion.

Following the tips above will help you avoid costly pitfalls and ensure that you and your family have a happy holiday season.

Credit: KI Store 7ft Christmas Tree with Ornaments and Lights

Here are 10 common mistakes to avoid when shopping for an artificial Christmas tree. This will make the process easier and ensure you get the right tree for your holiday decorations.

1. Not measuring properly.

Before you shop for a tree, be sure to measure the height of your ceiling and the space in which you plan to put the Christmas tree so that you don’t buy one that’s too big or too small.

2. Not checking product details

Check all product details carefully before making a purchase—including measurements, shape, and material—to make sure it works with your space and décor.

3. Assuming all artificial trees are flame-retardant

Always check the material details—not all artificial trees are flame retardant or fireproof.

4. Not considering height

Beware of buying "pre-lit" trees that have lights pre-attached; they may be much taller than expected because of the extra lights added on top!

5. Buying too early

Retailers typically sell out of their best trees quickly, so try not to shop too early so you don’t miss out on getting a good one!

6. Buying too late

On the flip side, if you wait until we are closer to Christmas Day, more trees will likely be sold out altogether, leaving fewer options for you!

7. Not considering colors/styles/accessories

Do take into account how the colors and styles will coordinate with your home’s décor; consider what types of ornaments and other accessories you plan on using before committing to a particular set-up style or type of tree (e.g., pre-lit vs. non-lit).

8. Inability to obtain necessary accessories for parts product items

If you're buying fake branches or pine cones separately, which aren't included in the finished product, make sure you have enough money in your budget. Being prepared ahead of time can save you time and money during installation and afterward if you need to add or replace parts.

9. Installation instructions that are missing, have not been read, or have been installed incorrectly

Make sure that installation instructions are available at the time of purchase, either on the packaging or on the website of the store where you bought it.

Write down the manufacturer's contact information in case you have any questions that need to be looked into further.

10. Failure to inspect the structure or improper maintenance

Apart from cleaning dusty components on a regular basis, you should also inspect the structure before each holiday season begins and again well after the festive season ends to thoroughly reinforce stability, keeping in mind various external conditions impacting overall strength. 

Securing all fittings, bolts, and safety mechanisms securely may necessitate extra precautionary measures; thus, it is strongly advised to carry them out.

• 10 Outdoor Christmas Light Ideas

• Best Color Changing Christmas Lights

• Best Reindeers Decorations

• 7 Foot Fiber Optic Christmas Trees

• Pink Christmas Tree

Buying a Christmas tree should be an exciting time, not a stressful one. To make the process easier, we’ve put together this guide of 10 common mistakes you should avoid when you shop for your new Christmas tree! From picking the wrong type to getting the wrong size, there are lots of signs that will tell you it may not be your best choice. It is essential that you keep these mistakes in mind before rushing out to buy your next artificial Christmas tree. By then, hopefully, your budget and taste buds have settled down too!

1. What is the average cost of an artificial Christmas tree?

This is a tricky question, as artificial Christmas trees come in a variety of prices and styles. That being said, the average cost of an artificial Christmas tree ranges from around $50 to $200. 

Keep in mind that you will also need to factor in the cost of installation, which could range from $40 to $200. So, while the average cost of an artificial Christmas tree may be around $100, it could be higher or lower depending on your location and specific needs.

2. Are there any disadvantages to owning an artificial Christmas tree?

There are a few potential disadvantages to owning an artificial Christmas tree. The first is that artificial trees tend to last shorter than natural Christmas trees. This is because artificial trees are made with PVC or other synthetic materials, which don't hold up well to weather or constant use. 

They may also not be as environmentally friendly as natural trees since they typically require more water and chemicals to keep them alive.

Overall, though, owning an artificial Christmas tree can be a fun and affordable way to celebrate the holiday season!

3. Should you buy pre-Lit or unlit artificial Christmas trees?

This is a difficult question to answer, as there are pros and cons to both options. On the pro side, pre-lit artificial trees are often cheaper than unlit ones. They also tend to last longer, as they don't need to be re-lit like unlit trees do. 

On the con side, pre-lit artificial trees can sometimes look cheap or fake, and they may not look as realistic as unlit trees do. 

Ultimately, it depends on your preferences - do you want a cheaper option that looks fake, or a more expensive option that looks more realistic?