Choosing An Artificial Christmas Tree - Tips To Consider When Making A Purchase

Real or artificial? If you're like many other people, you've decided to go with an artificial tree this Christmas season. Whatever your reason, choosing an artificial Christmas tree can be time-consuming, especially if you're a first-time buyer. There are several things to consider as you search for your "perfect tree" and you'll find the following tips very helpful when making your decision.

Besides a Nativity set, the tree is the focal point of Christmas decorations and long-lasting traditions. Songs and stories have been written about them, cards are adorned with them, presents go under them and they've been recognized by the U.S. Postal Service. Clark W. Griswold represents many of us as he went in search of his perfect Christmas tree in a popular holiday movie classic. They are as unique as each of us is individual.

Benefits of an artificial Christmas tree

There are some very compelling reasons to go artificial:

* Allergies- the obvious and greatest reason for many people and pets

* No dropped needles or sap which means less vacuuming and cleaning and more time enjoying the Season with Loved Ones

* Make the purchase once instead of spending money every year to only put the tree out on your sidewalk for recycling later,

* Not the fire hazard a real tree is. Where do you think the old expression "went up like a Christmas tree" came from?

* Put it away decorated after Christmas if you have the storage space. Just cover it in a re-usable plastic bag from the dry-cleaners or a garbage bag

* Branches won't droop under the weight of heavier ornaments

* No "bare" spots you have to try and fill in. Just move the branches and it's done.

* It can be a family heirloom and handed down to your children and grandchildren

Tall, short, slim, tabletop, indoor/outdoor, flocked, pre-lit or not?

These are the questions to keep in mind.

Beginning with height, you may have a nine foot ceiling but that doesn't mean you should get a nine foot tree. Keep in mind your tree-topper. How tall is that angel or star? When you put it on the tree, will it be touching or scraping the ceiling? Leave several inches from the ceiling, if possible.

Do you have enough room in front of the picture window or do you need a slim tree to fit between the two chairs in the Living Room? A slim tree would also be great for a corner to save space in a small apartment or even near a staircase in a hallway. A good way to give a quick measure without getting too technical is to stand in front of the place you'd like to put the tree, just extend your hands and arms to get a "visual idea" of the space. Picture the tree there and see how you want it to look- after all, it will be your showpiece for all your holiday enjoyment. You'll have an approximate idea of how wide and how tall you need it to be.

It seems like a "no-brainer" to get an indoor tree because that's where it's going to be. However, you're buying this tree because it will last. Down the road, you may move to your dream home and you need a taller, wider tree. Visualizing the perfect holiday scene from your favorite magazine, you want to put a tree out on your front porch or by your walk-way to the front door. The indoor/outdoor tree would be used again and again, instead of being discarded.

Pre-lit trees are handy if you're a "no-fuss" kind of person. Having an un-lit tree and putting your own lights lets you change the "look" of your tree from year to year. You could do a silver and gold motif one year and go completely crazy with pink and white the next. It's all up to you.

How do you find a great selection to choose from?

There usually isn't much of a variety in local department stores because space is limited and they have to compensate for overhead costs. Researching online is the way to go but very time-consuming. You need to find great trees and great prices. Some on-line companies have sales incentives like free-shipping, etc. Your best bet is to find someone who has done the research, found the sales and the best variety to choose from and see what they've found.