How To Pick A Christmas Tree: Choosing An Artificial Xmas Tree

How To Pick A Christmas Tree: Choosing An Artificial Xmas Tree

Christmas trees are an iconic symbol of the festive season. Setting up and decorating a Christmas tree is often the beginning of your holiday festivities. Friends and family gather around, listening to joyful Christmas tunes and set out to decorate a Christmas tree with fabulous baubles and other tree decorations. But it's the Christmas tree itself that forms the foundation of your festive decorative display.

At Spotlight, we've got everything you need for a very merry Christmas, including an amazing selection of Christmas trees. From traditional green artificial trees to colourful Christmas trees and even designs with special details such as faux snow or pre-lit designs, you'll be sure to find the perfect Christmas tree for your home right here. We've put together a handy buying guide detailing how to choose a Christmas tree and everything you need to know about these classic festive symbols to help inspire your holiday shopping.


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Should You Choose An Artificial Christmas Tree?

The practice of displaying a Christmas tree in your home dates back centuries, where festive celebrators would display a decorated pine tree to symbolise life and holiday spirit. This tradition has evolved into displaying an artificial Christmas tree, with many people now opting for a reusable Christmas tree they can use for many more festive seasons to come.


What Are The Pros And Cons Of Real Vs Artificial Trees?

Real and artificial Christmas trees each carry their own advantages and disadvantages. Check out a few of the key pros and cons in the below table:


Pros

Cons

Artificial Christmas Trees

- Reusable

- Available in varying colours and designs

- Can feature decorative details such as faux snow

- Easy to care for

- Take up storage space when not in use

- No natural botanical scent

- Often not biodegradable

Real Pine Trees

- Traditional appearance

- Refreshing nature scent

- Require less plastic when compared to artificial constructions

- Easy to recycle

- Will have to be replaced the following Christmas

- Require maintenance in pruning or trimming branches

- May trigger allergy symptoms




How To Choose An Artificial Christmas Tree

When it comes to decorating your home, there are so many styles and colour palettes to choose from and decorating your home for Christmas is no different! Start off by deciding on a decorative theme for the festive season. You can then begin your shopping for Christmas trees, however, in learning how to choose a Christmas tree to reflect your personal style, there are a few things you should consider.

Christmas Tree Accents

At Spotlight, while you can find a selection of classic Christmas trees that never go out of style, you'll also find a range of Christmas trees that include stunning decorative accents. Accents such as faux snow or LED lights positioned within the branches of the Christmas tree are two of the most popular types of Christmas tree accents. These accents help to make decorating your Christmas tree easy.

Christmas Tree Colours

Traditionally, artificial Christmas trees have been produced in rich green colour tones to offer a likeness to classic pine trees often seen throughout the festive season. In recent years, there's been an increase in coloured Christmas trees that brighten any room. Pink Christmas trees are an exceptional way to infuse a whimsical charm into your Christmas decorations and offer a twist on tradition. Other colours include pristine white, rich black and sometimes even a shimmering gold. Incorporate a coloured Christmas tree into your living room for an instant, eye-catching decorative feature.


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Types Of Artificial Christmas Trees To Choose From

When shopping for your Christmas decorations, you'll come across a range of different types of artificial Christmas trees. Let's break down the most common types of artificial Christmas trees available here at Spotlight.


What's The Difference Between Slim, Full, And Pencil Trees?

The terms slim, full and pencil refer to the width of a Christmas tree. A slim Christmas tree is smaller in size when compared to the luscious width of a full Christmas tree. While thinner in width, a slim Christmas tree continues to offer a balanced appearance. On the other hand, pencil trees, although slim, are crafted with a much more tapered appearance. This is where the reference as a pencil tree is drawn from. Generally, slim and pencil Christmas trees are ideal for narrow rooms, whereas full Christmas trees are designed for larger, open spaces where they can truly shine.


Should You Get A Pre-Lit Or Unlit Tree?

Enjoy the twinkling of Christmas lights but despise the intricate setup and detangling they often require? Then a pre-lit Christmas tree is the one for you! These Christmas trees feature LED lights embedded within the branches that, when lit, create an illuminating display. With the lights built in, there's no need to worry about wrapping your Christmas lights around the tree. Simply plug your Christmas tree into a power source, and you'll have yourself a twinkling festive display.

If you wish to decorate your space with a more understated appearance, then Spotlight's range of unlit, classic artificial Christmas trees is the perfect blank canvas for your Christmas decorations.


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Should You Get A Pop-Up Christmas Tree?

To save space and time in setting up and taking down your festive decorations, a pop-up Christmas tree is an exceptional option. These Christmas trees are designed with flexible materials while still constructed with a sturdy base for a full display. Able to be assembled in minutes, a pop-up Christmas tree helps you save time, providing a practical and stylish addition to your holiday celebrations. And once your holiday celebrations have concluded - simply fold your Christmas tree back down and store it away until next year!


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What's A Flocked Christmas Tree & Should You Get One?

Create a winter wonderland this yuletide season with a frosted Christmas tree. These Christmas trees are often green in colour, yet layered with a white coating for the illusion of faux snow. These frosted Christmas trees offer a twist on classic Christmas trees while allowing you to celebrate with a whimsical charm. The white colour tone of a frosted Christmas tree allows colourful baubles and Christmas hanging decorations to stand out for a truly captivating decorative display.


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Choosing Your Christmas Tree Size

No matter the size of your space, everyone deserves the perfect Christmas tree to gather around and celebrate the festive season. Discovering how to choose a Christmas tree that effortlessly integrates into your home may seem challenging, but here at Spotlight, you can shop from a range of Christmas tree sizes to find the perfect fit for your space.


How To Know Which Size Christmas Tree You Need?

When it comes to exploring our Christmas tree sizes, you should always first consider the size of your space. Christmas trees are also designed to be the centre of your celebrations and an anchor point for your gift giving, with many celebrations involving placing gifts under the Christmas tree. Because of this, you want to ensure there's not only space for your Christmas tree but also space around your Christmas tree for presents. Check the circumference of the widest point of your Christmas tree to find the right size for your space.

You should also consider the height of your room, as some Christmas trees are quite tall in size. Measure the height of your ceiling, remembering to subtract around 30 cm to make room for your Christmas tree topper. Then you'll have a good idea of the possible height of a Christmas tree.

What Shape Or Tree Profile Works Best In Small Spaces?

If you're living in an apartment or decorating a smaller living room, Spotlight offers a range of smaller Christmas trees, so you can still join in on the timeless tradition of displaying a classic symbol of the holiday season. Our pencil and slim trees are great for narrow spaces, while our range of tabletop and mini-Christmas trees are shorter in size and perfect for displaying on a shelf, coffee table or even your dining table, so you don't have to sacrifice on floor space.


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How Easy Is The Setup And Takedown Of An Artificial Christmas Tree?

Artificial Christmas trees are relatively easy to set up and take down. Setting up your Christmas tree can be done in a few simple steps, however, make sure to follow any provided instructions:

  1. Assemble the base, also known as the tree stand
  2. Install the branches by inserting the sections, making sure to start with the widest section first
  3. Shape the branches up and out to create a nice, full look that mimics authentic pine trees
  4. Time to start decorating

After the conclusion of your celebrations, taking down your Christmas tree is just as easy as setting it up. Here are a few easy steps you can follow, however, again, make sure to read the provided instructions:

  1. Once decorations are removed and any lights have been unplugged, start disassembling the branches
  2. Make sure to compress the branches for easy storage, tying them with a string or ribbon for extra compression
  3. Take down the base of the Christmas tree
  4. Place all sections into a storage box, ready for stowing away until the next festive season



How To Store Your Artificial Christmas Tree

While artificial Christmas trees are built to be reused, there are some precautions you should take to maintain the quality of your Christmas tree. These precautions revolve around the storage of your Christmas tree. Learning how to store your artificial Christmas tree will ensure that you can enjoy its festive charm for many more years to come.


How To Store Your Tree Without Damaging It

Safely storing your Christmas tree will assist in the preservation of its appearance and quality. One of the best approaches you can take in learning how to store your tree without damaging it is to ensure it is securely stored away. This comes down to compressing the branches of the tree by using zip ties or plastic wrap to keep them wrapped up nice and tightly. Store your branches and the base of your tree in a breathable bag or an airtight container in a cool, dark room to prevent moisture or dust from damaging your Christmas tree. Avoid stacking heavy items on top of it, and, if placing on a shelf, ensure the shelf is secure and stable.


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How To Make Your Tree Safe For Children & Pets

One of the best tips to make your Christmas tree is to secure your tree in place. Consider installing a baby-proof gate around your Christmas tree that prevents babies or pets from knocking the Christmas tree over. Make sure to keep any decorations, including electrical cords, out of reach of children and pets. It's also a good idea to avoid hazardous chemicals, such as faux snow, that can be harmful if ingested.




Find Bargains Galore On Christmas Trees At Spotlight For This Festive Season

Christmas trees are one of the most integral components of a festive decorative display. They are a classic symbol of Christmas time. Here at Spotlight, we have everything you need for a delightful Christmas celebration, including an exceptional range of Christmas trees and Christmas tree decorations, as well as Christmas fabrics for homemade festive projects. Shop our full Christmas range, online or at a Spotlight store near you, for a very merry Christmas.

If you're on the lookout for more inspiration, check out our helpful Christmas blogs, where you'll find an abundance of interesting Christmas decorating articles, including How to Decorate Your Bedroom For Christmas, as well as informative buying guides such as Christmas Tableware Buying Guide. And, don't forget to check out our free Christmas projects to spark your next creative endeavour this holiday season!


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