In search of the best Christmas tree? It is a good time to be looking. There are a wide variety of styles and sizes out there. We have sorted through the chaos to bring you a short list to get you going. Here is the Sage Garden Style 2015 list of 7 great Christmas trees:
1.
If you are a purist, a real tree might be your best choice. It is the first pick of the list to set the stage for your holiday decor. With a little know how to get you started check out this tutorial from Better Homes and Gardens showing how you can plant the tree in your yard and enjoy for years to come. Here is another excellent article from Gardenista with a step-by-step guide showing how to plant your Christmas Tree after the holidays. The biggest take away? You must plan for this one. Keeping the tree indoors for more than 10 days seriously compromises the ability for your tree to thrive and grow once it makes the transition outside.
2.
If you have decided that an artificial tree is your preference there has never been more variety. From realistic to fantasy colors and a lot in between.
You want color?
Treetopia offers some of the best colored trees on the market. Here is Pretty in Pink, one of their most popular trees. It is available in a wide variety of heights from 4′ to 9ft. The smaller tree would be adorable in a little girl’s room.
3.
If you want the natural look of a real Christmas tree but with all that an artificial tree can offer, Balsam Hill does it right. It is the #1 selection for set designers. They offer easy set up, a wide variety of faux species that are so realistic it is hard to believe they are not real. They also have narrow profile trees too which are excellent for apartment or small spaces. Here is the stunning Colorado Mountain Spruce from the Aspen Christmas Signature Collection.
4.
Flocked Trees give instant winter magic and the Alberta Spruce from Target flocked and frosted in white is Classic
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5.
Prelit Trees offer the easiest setup. Frontgate offers spring loaded branches designed to bounce back year after year.
6.
Tabletop trees are great for an extra accent in any room in the house. These from Balsam Hill are beautifully rustic with their burlap and velvet ribbon accents.
7.
Lastly, Novelty Upside down trees have been around for a few years and are a fun choice if you are looking for something different. There are some great customer photos on the site to inspire you if quirky is your thing!
A few last minute tips:
1. Check the warranties to help you decide. A pre-lit tree in particular may need maintenance down the road with light outages and you want to know how easy it will be to fix.
2. Be sure to measure the space for width and height before you shop. Sizes can be deceiving if not shown in the context of your space. You don’t want the tree to overpower the room. Even worse, you also don’t want it to get lost in the room either. An underwhelming Christmas tree is just sad. A good rule of thumb is if you want the tallest tree possible allow 6″ between the ceiling and the tree top to allow for a tree topper. The width of Christmas trees is measured at the widest part so make sure you can move around it with at least 3″ of clearance in the back and I like to be able to walk around the other 3 sides with at least a foot between the tree and furniture if possible.
3. Some trees are meant to handle heavier ornaments better than others. Check the manufacturer’s specifications for information on each offering.
3. Be sure to add enough lights. The industry guideline is 100 lights per foot, I like more. Lighting from the inside out will give a shimmering effect that is magical. Happy Holidays!