Artificial Christmas trees

[crayonblue]

We need to buy a tree and I'm debating buying now or waiting until after Christmas and getting a better deal. But, DH is really wanting one now, so I'm on the hunt. Does anyone know of any good deals now? I want a pre-lit (preferably white lights) tree. We have 10 foot ceilings so what size would be good? The taller the more expensive, so what would be the minimum height that would look ok?

Thanks!

[kelly ann]

Buy now! I bought a tall slim tree about 2 years ago at Franks (garden/craft center) a few weeks before Christmas at 50% off. A lot of places now have sales before Christmas and if you wait too long there will not be anything left after Christmas.

Start checking your Sunday ads this weekend and hopefully a good deal will be advertised.

[BillK]

Much to my chagrin - my wife bought a pre-lit artificial/partially decorated tree from JCPenny's. I was not happy because it was pretty expensive - but after last year and this year - I'm thrilled with it. It's easy to setup - looks really nice - heck - you can practically not even decorate it and it'd be fine - PLUS - no more stringing lights for me! *grinch* ;)

This the tree we got: http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25439&CatID=34616&CatTyp=LFS&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=0d24d5d&ProdSeq=12&ProdCount=52&Cat=&Dep=housewares&RefPage=SearchProducts&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=tree&mscssid=4aab44a0e3768414d95b89cde4dab4925xMnVNoV5a YWxMnVNoV5aYo200B872336A56FDAA3283953E065FE528157F SN&FromBanner=N&S4DeptID=25439&S4PageSize=30&S4Tab=categoryon&S2HighLight=False

p.s. - sorry 'bout the monster link there! :)

[tarabenet]

That is what I'm holding out for. I have an artificial tree, but sorting the stupid lights is a headache, plus all the threads about lead have gotten me thinking that is one place where I could limit exposure. But I want colored lights, and I want them to twinkle, not just stay on. I'd also love it to be inexpensive but look fabulous LOL!

And under it, I'd like to find a cheap, super-sturdy full-featured stroller that goes from infancy through toddler-hood, and weighs 10 pounds.

Oh, yeah, world peace would also be good. Santa? Where are you? Santa?

Seriously, though: anyone seen such a tree?

[BillK]

http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=7232&CatID=31980&CatTyp=LFS&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=0d45a61&ProdSeq=16&ProdCount=52&Cat=&Dep=housewares&RefPage=SearchProducts&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=tree&mscssid=4aab44a0e3768414d95b89cde4dab4925xMnVNoV5a YWxMnVNoV5aYo200B872336A56FDAA3283953E065FE528157F SN&FromBanner=N&S4DeptID=25439&S4PageSize=30&S4Tab=categoryon&S2HighLight=False

"Available in clear or multi-colored lights." Sorry - dunno about the "twinkle" factor. ;o

[tarabenet]

Dang, Bill! You're good! (Had to get the full Texas "I'm in awe" effect. Please read it like this: "Dayang, Biyull,yer guid!")

Maybe I could just settle for multi-colored and skip the twinkle? I'll have to think on that a minute.

Thanks for the links!

[BillK]

>Dang, Bill! You're good!

Please inform my wife of that! ;)

[lmariana]

Not to sound like an alarmist or anything, but...

there was a story on our local news station about artificial trees having lead in/on them. Has anyone else heard this? Of course, I didn't watch the story. Here's the link though:
http://www.wsbtv.com/holidays/1834459/detail.html

and a video clip: http://www.wsbtv.com/video/1833545/detail.html

Mariana
Mom to Gabe (8/03) and Atom (10/05)
www.heinzandmariana.com
http://www.geocities.com/kellysb/images/medals/purpleheart.jpg http://www.geocities.com/kellysb/images/medals/awardbar2-6wks.jpg

[bostonsmama]

My parents have 22 foot ceilings in their great room and since they do 3 fake and 1 fresh tree, it varries which tree they put in that room. Last year we had a ten-foot fresh Douglas Fir...it was beautiful. This year we found a 7-3/4 foot fresh Frasier Fir, which looks pretty great, too. Years before we've put their 7-1/2 foot artificial tree in there as well. If you have the money, 8-9 feet will look and feel just right in your space.

IME, it's best to buy the tree now (more selection, more stock, better prices). Sears, JCPenny, Michaels Arts/Crafts, Garden Ridge, Walmart, Target, Lowes and Home Depot have great pre-lit tree offerings. I'd do an internet comparison. As long as you have the space (width I mean...as some need a tree to be narrow), you want the most amount of branch tips, the most number of lights, and the easiest assembly for the price. I've seen pre-lit trees with twinkle features, but I would warn that they're much pricier and the lights might die faster. Here are some options:

http://tinyurl.com/8ure6
http://tinyurl.com/7p2jw
http://tinyurl.com/d5q8y
http://tinyurl.com/dm6sg
http://tinyurl.com/7rqst
http://www.gardenridge.com/images/ads/11245_pg4a.jpg
http://tinyurl.com/dsupl

FWIW...I'm envious. I hate stringing the tree with lights...but I couldn't go wrong with my beautiful 5.5-foot wide and 8-foot tall tree for $86.00 at a big box store. Good luck!

Larissa
who's gettin in the holiday mood

"Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." -
James Baldwin

[Momof3Labs]

We have a pre-lit (white lights) artificial tree that we got at Home Depot last year. We love it!! It was around $150, so not cheap, but not a bank-breaker either. It is super-sturdy with strong branches for heavier ornaments, and is easy to put together. It also looks very nice IMO!

Ours is a 7' tree, and we have a cathedral ceiling (maybe 16' tall?). When we bought the tree, we were in a different house with 8' ceilings. We could definitely stand to have a bigger tree in this room but don't have the floor space for something wider, so maybe an 8-9' tree for your 10' ceilings?

[crayonblue]

I'll check Home Depot and Lowe's. I've looked online at KMart, WalMart, Penney's and Target but should look in person.

[CiderLogan]

We got an artificial tree for the first time last year, and there is a warning in the instructions saying it may contain lead or other chemicals that are known to cause birth defects, so handwashing after handling is recommended. Pretty scary for a pregnant woman. :) But my solution has been to wash my hands any time after I touch it and not to allow my DD to touch it at all (which is a handy rule to have anyway since I don't want her to pull it down!). So far that's making me feel fine about it.

On another note, make sure not to get the tallest tree you can fit in your space, or you won't have room for whatever tree topper you want to put on top.


Jenny
Mom to Julia, 8/03
...and another one due 5/29/06!

[crayonblue]

That's horrible! My pregnant SIL and I put up an artificial tree Thanksgiving Day and we touched every part of that tree! :( And, she had already put up her own artificial tree. WHY does it have lead in it?

[BillK]

Our tree has a warning label on the pre-wired strands about lead also - I believe it's a pretty common thing with most x-mas lights.

[ellies mom]

Check Michaels too. The tree I want (7.5, pre-lit white, fresh cut branches) is on sale for $229 versus $260 at Lowes. Also, make sure the lights are the Constant On ones. If they aren't, one blown bulb turns out all the lights in that segment. The tree above it the only constant on one I saw at Michaels but Lowes has a better selection of them, and Sears seemed to also.

[brittone2]

I just don't understand how it isn't mandatory in all states to label this. Really. Kids plus trees....I mean, of course they WANT to touch it and most people wouldn't have any idea it was an issue, let alone how to handle it. The government regulates all kinds of other bizarre things (like adding flame retardants to everything) but we can't even manage to label things appropriately when it comes to lead??!

I came across the info on lights but didn't know about the tree itself. Thanks for posting.

[cvharris]

We bought the Kirkland 9' tree at Costco and are very happy with it. It's pre-lit with 1800 white lights and looks very nice. It was around $250. Our ceilings are 9' tall, and it barely fits, but I think it would be a great size for 10' ceilings.

Costco also has a 7.5' tree as well.

Carolee
Mama to Ben (6/03)
It's a BOY! Baby brother due 12/18/05

[ellies mom]

I don't get that either. That is crazy. Until this year, I had no clue that lead was an issue in lights, let alone the stupid tree. At least if I get a pre-lit tree I can humour myself with the thought that I won't be handling the light strands. The article did say that only a quarter of the trees tested positive for lead so hopefully the one we want will be OK (other than the light strands of course). I wonder if the lead test kits they sell at Home Depot will pick it up or not.