Looking to buy a new artificial Christmas tree? There are a lot of things to consider before buying and this guide and free printable can help!
This guide was originally shared in 2018. It is updated each year to make sure the information is still up-to-date. It was most recently updated on October 7, 2024.
I’ve had an artificial tree since I was just a small child, it’s all I remember. On my first Christmas, my family had a real tree and soon figured out I’m allergic to them, so that was the end of real trees for me.
It can make it hard since there are real greenery and Christmas tree-scented things everywhere around the holidays. My husband misses the real thing but I think both of us are happy to not have the mess and to be able to safely have a Christmas tree up longer.
There are so many different kinds of artificial Christmas trees now that finding the right one can be hard. There are different sizes, styles, un-lit, pre-lit, different kinds of lights, and so many other options.
We recently purchased a new artificial Christmas tree following this guide to get our right tree. We went with a pre-lit tree from Balsam Hill that we love. You can read my full review of our Balsam Hill tree here on the site.
How to Pick the Right Artificial Christmas Tree
Find the Right Size Artificial Christmas Tree
This is one of the most important steps. You want to be sure the artificial Christmas tree you pick fits in the space you have. Figure out where the tree will go and if necessary move the furniture around so you know exactly how much space you will have.
Once you have your location you need to find how tall you can fit. It’s recommended that you allow at least six inches between the tree and your ceiling.
If you have standard 8-9 foot ceilings, it’s best to get a 7 1/2-foot tree. This helps allow for a tree topper so the tree doesn’t hit your ceiling. Even if you think you know your ceiling height it’s a good idea to measure to be sure.
Knowing your floor space is also important. Measure your space taking into consideration how much space you want around the tree.
In our first home, we had a small place for our Christmas tree so we had to go with a more narrow tree. In our current home we have a much larger space for our Christmas tree so we are went with a more standard width.
If you have a small space consider looking for a narrow or slim tree but also still check the measurements. Keep in mind that many space-saving trees have less natural-looking shapes. A really good option for a slimmer but still realistic-looking artificial Christmas tree is the Fifth Avenue Flatback Artificial Christmas Tree from Balsam Hill.
Decide on Your Budget
When deciding on your budget you, of course, need to look at what you can afford and also consider how long you plan on having the Christmas tree.
If you are in a small apartment and plan to buy a home soon you may want to stick with something on the cheaper side because your size need may change.
If you are somewhere you plan to live for a long time and have the room in your budget consider buying a higher quality tree. A good artificial Christmas tree should last many Christmas seasons.
Other Things to Decide Before Buying an Artificial Christmas Tree
While budget and size are the two biggest things to decide when it comes to buying a Christmas tree, there are many other options you will find and need to decide between.
- Pre-lit or Unlit. Unlit trees are great for people that prefer more control over the type of lights and how many. It also means that if the lights stop working you can easily replace them without having to try and get them off of the tree. The big advantage to pre-lit is, of course, the time saving and also space-saving since you don’t have to store the lights.
- LED or Incandescent Christmas Lights. The big difference is cost. LED Christmas lights still cost more than incandescent. However, long-term they will save you money on electricity and they last longer. LED lights also don’t get as hot making them the safer option.
- Clear or Colored Christmas Lights. This is just a personal preference. If you have multiple preferences in your home you can also often find Christmas trees with both colored and clear lights, you can switch them with a touch of a button!
- Type of Christmas Tree. There are endless types of Christmas trees so take time to look for the best type of tree for your style. You can even get a Christmas Tree Branch Sample Kit from Balsam Hill to help you make your choice.
- Fullness. If you like a very full tree look for the most tips in your budget. This will also give more space for ornaments if you have a large collection.
Write it All Down
When Christmas tree shopping you will want all of the above info with you. Even if you are shopping online it’s a good idea to have it all in one place.
I created a free printable that will help you keep track of all of the information you need. Just print it out and fill in the info and you are ready to go.
It’s designed to be used with my Christmas Planner so you can use it alone or with the planner. I like to keep mine in my Christmas Planner so I always know where it is.
To get your own free Christmas Tree buying printable just sign up below.
Where to Shop for Christmas Trees
If you want to see the Christmas trees in person you’ll want to check local stores. Home Depot and Lowes also have a nice selection. For a few years we had a nice tree from Home Depot.
My top pick based on personal experience is Balsam Hill. I just got my second tree from Balsam Hill and love it. They have all sizes, styles, and both pre-lit and un-lit. You can see the one I got and read my full review here on the site. You can also see a photo of my Balsam Hill Christmas tree below.
My second choice would be King of Christmas. I haven’t been able to try one yet but it was the other place I looked at when picking my most recent tree. They have good reviews as well as a nice selection.
Taking your time to find the best Christmas tree for you will help you have a beautiful tree that fits your space and works for your family for years to come.
More Christmas Tree Resources
Want to read more ideas for Christmas trees? Here are some articles you may enjoy.
Suzy Taylor Oakley says
A printable info sheet … What a great idea, Lisa! I’m not sure Clark Griswald would approve, but artificial trees have come a long way in the past few years. I still miss the scent of a live Christmas tree, but that’s what pine-scented essential oil is for, right???
Lisa Sharp says
I’m so glad you like it! And yes artificial trees have gotten pretty amazing. So many choices these days. Pine essential oils are perfect for the scent without the mess.