Category : Artificial Christmas tree

Keeping your tree till hell freezes over—pro tips

Typically, the Christmas holiday is between four and six weeks long. Once Christmas is over, it’s time to pack up.

 If you want your pre-lit tree to remain fresh and attractive for a longer period of time, it must be stored properly. Damage may occur if artificial trees and decorations are not stored properly. Buying another one would make the next holiday difficult.

Here are five tips to ensure your pre-lit Christmas tree lasts as long as possible:

1. Warranty

If you purchase an artificial tree, make sure that it is covered by a warranty. Warranty details let us know more about the material quality and the expected life of a tree. Most companies offer a three- to five-year warranty for trees, but we recommend that you purchase a seven- to ten-year warranty.

2. Check for burnouts

Verify that there are no loose lights or decorations on prelit trees. If you discover any burnouts, you can replace them quickly before the next Christmas period. Moreover, LED lights usually last longer due to the reduced likelihood of them burning out.

3. Dismantle

Artificial trees usually come in three parts. Trees should not be stacked, but rather stored flat. Take it apart top to bottom to disassemble it. And be careful not to damage each section as you unplug them.

As you dismantle your tree, carefully fold back the branches so they are safe.

4. Keep it out of a box!

In many cases, artificial trees are stored back in their boxes. The tree will be there for 11 months and a few weeks, so you might want to consider a safer option; like a storage bag.

5. Great location for storage

Maintain a dry, clean, and cool environment for your tree. Don’t expose to sunlight, moisture, pests, or uncontrolled environments. Basements and closets would be ideal places to store items.

Last but not least, do not stack items on your tree. With this method, you can be assured of getting the longest lasting pre-lit tree you have ever imagined.

Inspiration Tips for Decorating Flocked artificial Christmas Trees

Christmas is a season to be merry and bright, so turn on the music and put on the lights! Enjoy an amazing Christmas that’s white, with flocked trees elegantly displayed, sweet for sight.

Flocked trees add a breathtaking touch to every Christmas décor. Are you short of decoration ideas for the holidays? You’re in luck! We just happen to have some of the most inspirational flocked tree decoration ideas to get you started. Read on, be inspired!

VINTAGE TREE

Add some elegance to your gathering spot with a beautiful white and pink Christmas tree. Play around with white and pink decorations and ornaments to bring out the full beauty of the tree. Deck your flocked tree with rose gold bulbs, glittery vintage Christmas baubles, and some shiny pink icicle embellishments. You can also add some pink velvet ribbon for a classy effect.

SNOW IN THE WOODS

Appreciate the beauty of nature as you celebrate the holidays. This inspiration features white branches and creature in the woodlands. Elements in this decoration theme includes silver/white baubles, and ornaments of animals to show off the life in the woods. Attach little ornaments of raccoons, owls, rabbits, and others. You can also wrap tree in white faux fur scarf for a more appealing look.

FROSTY TREE

Enjoy the feel of a full white frost tree. Full flocked artificial Christmas trees are best for executing this idea. Add a touch of frost to tree branches to get that sparkly effect! Make use of frosty decorations and ornaments such as icicles ornaments, sliver baubles, white fluffy garlands, or reindeer ornaments.

FLOCKED WITH SILVER AND GOLD

Decorate your snow flocked tree with silver and gold ornamentation to get a remarkable appearance. Decked your tree with silver balls and golden snowflakes!

Set up your decorations in the most amazing way you know. When you get short of ideas, just surf for inspirations and you’d be right back on track.

Why you should reuse your artificial Christmas tree

Environmental Benefits of Reusing Artificial Christmas Trees

Nielsen conducted a survey for the American Christmas Tree Association, showing that about three-fourths of all U.S. households have a Christmas tree, and most of them are artificial trees.

The majority of artificial Christmas trees come from China, where they’re made from PVC and steel, and then sent to landfills in the U.S.

However eco-friendly that may sound, the A.C.T.A, a trade association, maintains that using an artificial tree for more than five years creates fewer environmental impacts than using a real one.

Cost Savings of Reusing Artificial Christmas Trees

Real trees disposed of at the end of the season – and possibly replaced every year – have a greater impact on greenhouse gas emissions, energy usage, and other areas than artificial Christmas trees that are re-used.

These conclusions come from a study conducted by WAP Sustainability Consulting on behalf of the group.

N.C.T.A. representative O’Connor dismissed the study’s conclusions, saying it is absurd to imply that a tree made from oil and scraped into PVC plastic in China could be compared to one grown in nature.

Those parameters, according to Mr. Cregg from Michigan State, were too narrow. Aren’t wildlife and local water supplies at risk, as well as potential job losses?

Thomas Harman, founder and CEO of Balsam Hill, said the company recycles scrap plastic to make parts of its artificial trees. Though creating a recyclable tree has proven more challenging.

When copper, plastic, and steel are fused together during production, they must be dismantled before recycling.

Consequently, he recommends reusing old trees rather than planting new ones, which turns out to be much more energy-efficient.

How to prevent your flocked trees from yellowing

Why Do Flocked Trees Turn Yellow?

An effective Christmas tree flocking requires time, effort, and a thorough understanding of the type of tree, mixing technique, and mixture to be used.

Before flocking your tree, make sure it is covered by a warranty. If you use homemade snow on a Balsam Hill Christmas tree, the warranty will be voided, so make sure the tree you select for the task is hazard-free and up to snuff.

Adding flock to a Christmas tree turns it into a spectacular display without much expense or hassle.

If you clean and store your flocked artificial Christmas tree properly at the end of each holiday season, you can easily maintain it. You can also prevent dust from accumulating and protect the tree.

Preventing Yellowing

During storage, your tree can still be restored to its natural beauty if it becomes discolored.

The following tips will help you clean a yellowed flocked artificial Christmas tree.

  1. Follow the care instructions on the packaging when cleaning a yellowed flocked Christmas tree. You can also speak with the manufacturer’s customer service department.
  2. Keep the yellowed tree in full sunlight for a couple of hours. The sun can remove subtle stains and restore a tree’s former glory in the case of subtle discoloration. And yeah, summer and spring are the best times to accomplish this.
  3. A solution of 3 parts white vinegar and 1 part water sprayed on affected branches may be more effective than sunlight alone. It is best to place the tree in direct sunlight for 12 hours at least.

And through the reaction of vinegar and sunlight, the branches will be bleached white.

 In most cases, the tree’s warranty will be void if it is purposefully altered or misused.  So refrain from bleaching while your tree is still under warranty.

When it comes to maintaining the beauty of your flocked artificial Christmas tree, the best step is prevention. It works every now and then for nearly every home decor.

How to assemble and store pre-lit trees

Tips for Assembling Pre-Lit Christmas Trees

Most problems with pre-lit artificial Christmas trees can be fixed in a matter of minutes. You definitely would not need to break a bank or get an expert fixer to get things right. All you need to know is here!

Usually, problems arise when light strings go dark, or when the new tree is being assembled. And one method for troubleshooting is to test the light strings to identify the faulty bulb, or simply install new, working light strings.

Trees don’t arrive as depicted on the website. The “fluffing” process is what gives each tree its own unique shape, and adding the next section of the tree should be done after shaping the lowest section.

Consequently, each inner tip can be lifted up and out, and lower branches are often expandable so they can also be lifted. The branches themselves can be lifted or moved, and the tips of the branches can be lifted as well.

If desired, tree tips can be angled downward or left straight. And lights should be plugged in before each section is fluffed.

Keep scrolling and you’ll find handy tips to help you assemble and store your pre-lit Christmas trees.

Storage tips for Christmas trees

Do you wrestle trees? If you spend an excessive amount of time trying to cram your fluffed Christmas tree into the original box that’s been taped severally, only to have pieces break out of the sides, then yes is simply the answer.

The more you store your tree correctly, the longer your tree will stay full and beautiful. More so, you can bypass the hassle that comes with re-packing your smashed-up tree the next year. A properly-sized bag is the very best way to store a tree. You can avoid bends, deformities, and damage to your tree’s delicate lights, lights wires, and connectors with tree storage bags.

Artificial Christmas trees and pet safety

Keeping an untrained pet out of the Christmas tree can be difficult, especially if it’s their first Christmas and you’re using a flocked Christmas tree.

Regardless of whether your older pet has a history of not jumping on trees, it is still prudent to exercise caution.

A few pet safety hazards are described below, along with ways to prevent them. Keep reading!

Branches & Needles

It is particularly dangerous to work with live trees. Cats and dogs also love chewing on fir tree limbs, and the oils in them can cause vomiting and drooling.

Chewing on the branches may also cause your cat to swallow needles.

When swallowed, pine needles can puncture the intestinal lining or bundle together, leading to intestinal obstruction. And yes, both cases can result in death.

Artificial Christmas trees should also be used with caution–the needles may obstruct airflow and pets may chew on the crunchy needles.

The best way to prevent your pets from accessing your Christmas tree is to place it in an area that is not accessible to them. To do this, you can place dog pens around the tree.

Flocking

Pets can suffer serious health consequences if significant quantities of flocking are swallowed. Ideally, your home should not have flocked trees.

When decorated properly, flocked artificial Christmas trees look great. However, it doesn’t end there. Choosing a Christmas tree requires weighing the pros and cons.

Christmas tree Preservatives

A few artificial Christmas trees are additionally preserved with chemicals. Chemicals can bind at the base of trees and contaminate water there.  Bases that are not covered will allow pets easy access to the water.

A towel, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil will work as a cover for your tree skirt. The plastic bag works too.

Traditional lighting patterns for pre-lit Christmas trees

Do you intend to purchase a pre lit Christmas tree this year? There is a good chance that you will be overwhelmed by the variety of lighting patterns on the market. Regardless, there are two types of light – incandescent and LED.

Knowing the characteristics of both lights would help you decide which one to choose.

Incandescent light trees

These are the traditional burning bulbs (classic lights) and are less expensive than LED-lit trees. The bright glow of these traditional lights creates a nostalgic feeling in the eyes. You can find a large variety of traditional light trees at a variety of stores.

LED light trees

In the pre-lit Christmas trees collection, this is a new and more sophisticated option. The initial cost is quite high compared to the traditional light trees. They are, however, more durable and long-lasting than standard bulbs, thereby reducing replacement costs significantly. LED bulbs are energy-efficient since they consume less electricity than traditional bulbs.

LEDs of older generations have been criticized for emitting a harsh light glow. However, more recent LEDs now emit softer light. Trees with LEDs also come in fewer varieties than trees with incandescent lights.

Lighting up your Christmas tree with the right lights

You should take into account the location of your tree when choosing the light pattern you want for your tree. There are some Christmas lights that are not suitable for both indoors and outdoors. If you intend to use the pre-lit tree outside, you should choose one that is safe for external use.

Christmas trees can be pre-lit with clear, multi-colored or both types of light patterns. Choosing the right theme depends on your preference, style, and décor style. If you want to decorate for Christmas in an elegant way, opt for clear lights. However, a number of colorful lights adds more fun and playfulness to the scene.

Top 2 best artificial Christmas trees to buy in 2021

With proper décor, care, and attention to detail, any artificial Christmas tree can look stunning.

But our top recommendation among the dozen and more trees we’ve tried since 2016 is the 7.5-foot National Tree Company Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir. It is a versatile, competitively priced, realistic, and particularly attractive pick for any home.

7.5-foot National Tree Company Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir

Compared with both costlier and more affordable artificial Christmas trees, the National Tree Company Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir (PEDD1-D12-75) provides a good compromise between cost, realism, and ease of set up.

Incorporating nearly 2,000 lifelike polyethylene branch tips, it is fashioned similarly to those other high-quality artificial trees-except that at 37% polyethylene, a higher proportion than normal, it creates an illusion of a living tree.

 With 750 built-in LED bulbs, its branches are well illuminated, and the lights switch from all-white to multicolor or a mix of both, enhancing its unusual versatility.

While most trees need you to find the plugs in the foliage and attach them manually, the Power Connect system on this tree does it automatically when you stack up its three sections.

Balsam Hill’s 7.5-foot Vermont White Spruce Flip Tree Color + Clear LED

This tree has a higher percentage of realistic branches than National Tree’s Downswept Douglas Fir, which makes it appear closer to life, especially from a distance.

Besides, it has two-and-a-half times more lights (1,620 versus 750), creating a luxurious display most of our testers preferred. As with the Downswept Douglas Fir, the Vermont White Spruce’s lights connect automatically through plugs within the trunk.

The wheels on the tree’s base are an appreciated feature among our test group–this tree weighs over 90 pounds due to its numerous realistic branches, and the wheels make it much easier to move it into place and out of storage.

Standard light patterns to use with Pre-lit Christmas trees

Do you plan to buy a pre-lit Christmas tree this year? This is for you.

Choosing from the multitude of lighting patterns on the market can be overwhelming. However, the two main types of light are incandescent and LED. Each light has its own characteristics and knowing them would help you choose rightly.

Incandescent light trees

Here are traditional burning bulbs or classic lights which are not as expensive as LED-lit trees. With their bright glow, these traditional lights evoke memories of youth. They are available in quite a lot of designs and can be bought from several stores.

LED light trees

This is a new and more sophisticated addition to your pre-lit Christmas tree selection. The initial cost is higher than the traditional light trees. Regardless, they are durable and a lot more reliable, saving you the hassle of constantly replacing burned out bulbs. Since LED bulbs use less electricity than traditional lights, they are more energy-saving.

A harsh light glow is a noted weakness of older LEDs. Although newer LEDs now emit much softer light. There are also fewer options for LED trees than incandescent ones.

Christmas lights: how to choose the best

The location of a tree must be considered when determining your desired pattern of light. Some Christmas lights cannot be used both outdoors and indoors. You should buy pre-lit trees that are safe to use outdoors if you plan to use them outdoors.

Various light patterns are available for prelit Christmas trees, including clear, multicolored and both. Choosing a décor theme depends on your taste, style, and decor preferences. A clear light theme is ideal if you’re looking for a more sophisticated Christmas theme. Meanwhile, the multi-colored lights introduce a sense of fun and playfulness to the entire atmosphere.

FLOCKED CHRISTMAS TREES AND SPARKLES

Making your flocked Christmas tree beautiful is something that almost everyone can do in their houses, but of course, yours should be outstanding. Here are some tips you should make use of when making your flocked Christmas tree sparkle.

To begin with, you should make use of items that would make your Christmas tree stand out and different. Listed below are some ways through which you can make your Christmas tree dazzle.

Multiply The Amount Of Light You Would Normally Use On Your Christmas Tree

Instead of typically making use of a strand of Christmas light on your tree, make use of about three to four instead. A designer tip to make your Christmas tree sparkle, add 2 or 3 times as many lights. For instance, make use of 13 to 19 strands of Christmas light for a 6-foot-tall Christmas tree and, in the case of an 8-foot-tall Christmas tree, make use of 17 to 25 strands of lights.

Don’t forget that these lights might be covered in one way or the other by the decorations and ornaments, so fix in every light possible. It’s never too much. Always add the lights!

Use Similar Lights

Keep in mind that you should make use of similar lights, so they don’t make the tree look too congested. You cannot be too careful about avoiding rioting colours.

Add Twinkling Lights

In addition to your maximum amount of similar lights, make sure to keep them twinkling and sparkling. Twinkling lights are a sure bet to bring down that sparkle.

Make Use Of Larger Lights

Using larger lights than your ornaments and decoration could go a long way in making your Christmas light stand out gracefully. These lights shine brighter, and they leave stunning impressions of glitters as well.

Add On Shiny Decorations

Lastly, you should make use of reflective and metallic decorations as add-ons to your Christmas tree to make it twinkle and sparkle. 

All of these tips are nuggets to help you create amazing flocked trees and sparkling ones at that.