The choices available today in artificial trees can be overwhelming. With prices ranging from $10 to $2,000, its difficult to decipher what might be the best choice for your next tree purchase.
Although the Christmas Gals cannot help you decide on the tree that meets your budget, there are elements to consider with the shape and the style of tree.
SHAPE
Three basic shapes for artificial trees are primarily based on the diameter of the bottom or base of the tree. If you are looking to place your tree in a specific area of your home, be sure to measure carefully, leaving plenty of space to walk around the tree without bumping into limbs and possibly knocking off ornaments.
Slim trees or pencil trees are tall and skinny. They offer a great option for small spaces or placing a tree in the corner of a room.
Traditional shaped trees are by far the most common and most popular shaped artificial trees. As Goldilocks would describe them…not too big, not too small, but just right.
Be prepared to have more ornaments, more lights and more space to place a full shaped artificial tree. We have found that full shaped artificial trees oftentimes look more natural because of their larger size, though.
STYLES
You’ve decided on the shape of your tree. Or maybe the size of your space has made that decision for you! Now what style of tree are you looking for?
Beyond the traditional green branches, there are hundreds of unique styles and colors that you can choose from in artificial trees.
Aspen style trees have become more popular over the past few years. This style tends to look more like a real tree, with fewer branches than many of the artificial trees we are used to. These trees provide an ideal way to showcase ornaments.
Alpine style trees are a favorite of those who like country and primitive décor. These narrow trees, oftentimes sold in sets of three, can be decorated or left undecorated for a warm, rustic look.
Feather style trees, either full size or tabletop, have made a comeback, especially for collectors of vintage ornaments. Considered the ‘original’ artificial tree, this style was brought to America by German immigrants and then made popular by President Theodore Roosevelt who ordered that no live trees be used in the White House holiday decorations after America experienced a diminishing supply of evergreens.
Flocked trees provide a snow-kissed look to your artificial tree. Whether you are brave enough to DIY flock your own tree or consider purchasing a pre-flocked tree, there really is nothing that compares to the look of Christmas lights glowing through the snow of this style tree. Be prepared to have your vacuum out daily with this style as the white flakes shed often.
Break out the color wheels because tinsel trees, the favorite trees of the 1950’s, are back. Tinsel trees today refer to any tree made with metallic style branches. Most often, these trees can be found in the traditional silver, however, any color and shape is available in this throwback style. Today’s versions are safe to use with lights unlike the original tinsel trees.
White, red, pink and even rainbow trees are readily available today at many large retailers. Much like tinsel trees that were beloved decades ago, white trees and a myriad of other colors are back and as popular as ever. Unlike tinsel trees which have metallic needles, these trees have solid color, matte needles.
