Artificial christmas trees and lights

[007]

I'm curious what most of you guys do. We purchased a pre lit a few years back and now it's mostly dead. I'm trying to strip all the lights off of it, which is a huge pain in the ass.

Do you buy prelits? If so what do you look for? Do you just get a basic tree and light it yourself each year.

Also, I'm not interested in real trees so let's keep this to just artificial trees.

[DaNewGuy]

My and my girl have to put up a mini one cause her asshole cats destroy the tree ..last year they knocked it down into a window and broke it ...also I hate cats

[srvy]

I know you want a tree now but make do with the old and wait till after xmas. Target and Home Depot will mark those down 75% if your patient.

My favorite tree as a kid was the aluminum foil thingy with the rotating color wheel. They made a co.eback 5 or so years ago but dont see them now.

typed with my trusty nose picker using Tapatalk

[HonestChieffan]

We bought a new pre lit one last year, the old one was 6 years old and going to pot

I think we got it Menards....no cheap, the really pretty ones are $$$


OOPs...wife said it was Lowes where we got it

[Easy 6]

I’ve never understood the appeal of artificial trees, that pine smell from a real tree perfectly sets the mood for me

Sorry to disobey the op, but had to throw that out

[HonestChieffan]

I’ve never understood the appeal of artificial trees, that pine smell from a real tree perfectly sets the mood for me

Sorry to disobey the op, but had to throw that out


No doubt there is that but the high end trees look amazing, require no water, don't shed needles and the better scented candles make you feel like you are in a Balsam forest

[Bugeater]

Quit being a Scrooge and go with a real tree.

[Easy 6]

No doubt there is that but the high end trees look amazing, require no water, don't shed needles and the better scented candles make you feel like you are in a Balsam forest

Yeah the maintenance on artificial is a definite plus, and I suppose a quality candle could provide the same mood

I just like’ em real, and gaudy as possible... tons of multicolor lights, ornaments galore, tinsel, the works

My mom has taken to doing artificial Martha Stewart type trees with white lights and color coordinated ornaments etc... I just find that really boring

[BryanBusby]

I hate fucking with actual trees. Will not do them ever.

I bought a pre-lit artificial one from WM on clearance 3 years ago and it has done the job well. As long as you're not buying a super low level one, should have the strings of lights that won't quit if one bulb burns out.

[lewdog]

I just like’ em real, and gaudy as possible... tons of multicolor lights, ornaments galore, tinsel, the works



How gay are you!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[displacedinMN]

We just bought a pre-lit at lowes. 400.
if it lasts for 10 years that is 40 a year. Better than 60-70 and I do not have to worry about watering.

We all get a little allergy with the live ones too.

[Easy 6]

How gay are you!?!?!?!?!?!?!

When I was a kid that was the style, it always takes me back to see those kind :harumph:

[digger]

No prelit, got a tree bag so we don't have to put lights on/off every year.


One much like this:

https://www.treeclassics.com/v/vspfiles/photos/3900996-2.jpg

[candyman]

I wish someone would invent an artificial tree that would fluff itself when you put it up. I swear it takes 45 min to an hour to get our tree fluffed out before we can start decorating every year. I'm very OCD with it though.

[threebag]

https://www.balsamhill.com/p/bh-fraser-fir-artificial-christmas-tree?sku=2804593&module=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAzuPuBRAIEiwAkkmOSHh2YvVV3rRz4nA8RRhf19tapFRPQ8r5qLEs9SvtEsEjaUV-SD4ZSRoCBK8QAvD_BwE

[-King-]

I’ve never understood the appeal of artificial trees, that pine smell from a real tree perfectly sets the mood for me

Sorry to disobey the op, but had to throw that out

And then the needles fall out and stab your feet for the next few weeks no matter how much or how hard you vacuum.

[007]

https://www.balsamhill.com/p/bh-fraser-fir-artificial-christmas-tree?sku=2804593&module=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAzuPuBRAIEiwAkkmOSHh2YvVV3rRz4nA8RRhf19tapFRPQ8r5qLEs9SvtEsEjaUV-SD4ZSRoCBK8QAvD_BwE$1900. Holy shit!!!

[007]

I wish someone would invent an artificial tree that would fluff itself when you put it up. I swear it takes 45 min to an hour to get our tree fluffed out before we can start decorating every year. I'm very OCD with it though.I'm right there with you.

[dlphg9]

When I was a kid that was the style, it always takes me back to see those kind :harumph:

When I was growing up we used the same artificial tree for as long as I can remember, but just like you our strands of lights were multiple colors, had all kinds of different ornaments, and had a gaudy tree. When my fiance and I started living together we got a tree and she wanted to get lights that were either all white/silver or blue and all the same ornaments. I didnt think itd make a difference, so we did what she wanted.

After going through that first Christmas it just didnt feel like Christmas. I talked to her about it and she said "well that will be ugly", but she obliged and the next year we did the tree my way and its been that way since then. Nostalgia is awesome.

[Easy 6]

When I was growing up we used the same artificial tree for as long as I can remember, but just like you our strands of lights were multiple colors, had all kinds of different ornaments, and had a gaudy tree. When my fiance and I started living together we got a tree and she wanted to get lights that were either all white/silver or blue and all the same ornaments. I didnt think itd make a difference, so we did what she wanted.

After going through that first Christmas it just didnt feel like Christmas. I talked to her about it and she said "well that will be ugly", but she obliged and the next year we did the tree my way and its been that way since then. Nostalgia is awesome.

Amen, gimme that overdose of color and random ornaments

[DaFace]

We have a prelit. It was great for probably 8 years, but yeah, when strings started going out it became an epic pain to get the bad ones out of it. Still pretty handy for the time it lasted though.

[stumppy]

I refuse to talk about anything xmas until after thanksgiving.

[Easy 6]

I refuse to talk about anything xmas until after thanksgiving.

I would normally agree, but the very early onset of winter seems to have many of us in a Christmas kinda mood

[Bob Dole]

I didn't put up a tree at all for 10 years. When I built the new house, it seemed appropriate to put one up the first Christmas, and I couldn't find a real one worth a shit. I bought an 8' artificial tree online, and 3 strands of lights at Big Lots for about $7. I don't think a single person other than me saw the damned thing, so I may not put it up this year.

[Pablo]

Fake tree for me. My wife put all that stuff up a week ago. The one we have you have to prop up and fluff, then she hangs multi-colored lights and ornaments and all that good stuff. I won't mess with a real tree. We always had one as a kid and sure they smell nice, but they're just fire hazards that drop daggers onto the ground.

They had a pretty nice looking "classy" pre-lit one at Costco for like $600. Enormous sucker. We're gonna end up getting a 9' one because our new living room has a huge vaulted ceiling, but I won't be paying that. This ol' $100 Target job is gonna have to do one more Christmas. Then scour the sales after and get one she likes a lot for a decent price.

[RollChiefsRoll]

https://i.imgur.com/JuooywL_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

Got this bad boy at Home Depot for $250. 9-footer, prelit, went up in 20 minutes.

[Shiver Me Timbers]

I got tired of storing fake Chrirstmas trees and really tired of disposing of real trees

We have bought a fake tree with lights each of the past 5 years.
Average of $120 per year.
I take it down, haul it off to good will and deduct 120 off my taxes.
I buy them from the local mom and pop hardware store.

[KurtCobain]

I got tired of storing fake Chrirstmas trees and really tired of disposing of real trees

We have bought a fake tree with lights each of the past 5 years.
Average of $120 per year.
I take it down, haul it off to good will and deduct 120 off my taxes.
I buy them from the local mom and pop hardware store.


I

Damned you for donating to Goodwill.

[Bob Dole]

I got tired of storing fake Chrirstmas trees and really tired of disposing of real trees

We have bought a fake tree with lights each of the past 5 years.
Average of $120 per year.
I take it down, haul it off to good will and deduct 120 off my taxes.
I buy them from the local mom and pop hardware store.


I

Mine fits perfectly in a POW painted wooden artillery shell case I picked up at a charity auction. The box it came in hit the fire pit before Christmas ever happened.

[kjwood75nro]

I have a pre-lit 12' tree that the previous owners of the house left behind. It comes in 3 separate pieces, and it's a bitch to get through the front door, even folded up.

For awhile, I'd just cover the burnt-out strands of light with new ones, but I finally decided to remove the pre-lit lights. Biggest clusterfuck ever. Everything was either zip-tied or clipped down, and the strands didn't just go around the tree, they crossed through it as well, so it couldn't be unraveled.

Finally said fuck it, got out the sidecutters and cut off the lights piece by piece.

Anymore, if I'm not hosting Christmas, that monstrosity stays in the garage.

Bah humbug.

[Rasputin]

I'm getting a real tree again this year it's funner than putting a fake one up and putting it back in a flimsy falling apart box that takes up space in the basement.

[Shiver Me Timbers]

I have a pre-lit 12'.......

Bah humbug........
And a VERY Merry Christmas to you
Lol

[fan4ever]

After years and years of buying from the lots we finally stopped buying live trees, mainly because they never filled up the house with that great smell. The only way I'd consider getting a real tree now is if I got a permit and cut down one that would truly perform.

[Easy 6]

I'm getting a real tree again this year it's funner than putting a fake one up and putting it back in a flimsy falling apart box that takes up space in the basement.

Exactly right, as a kid taking care of the tree was part of the magic

Carefully pour that boiling sugar water into the base...

[Chiefshrink]

I’ve never understood the appeal of artificial trees, that pine smell from a real tree perfectly sets the mood for me

Sorry to disobey the op, but had to throw that out

:clap::clap::clap:

[007]

Upgraded for only $175 at home Depot. 3 year warranty which surprised me. Multi color LEDs with remote control and foot switch.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191124/369b174755011021bf3c5dc71de68159.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191124/89d959af0aff09c322132e399b354bed.jpg

[srvy]

My wife got this and she has several battery operated thingy's that set it off every 15 minutes. Smells just like a pine tree forest inside the house now. She also got a apple pumpkin pie scent she plans to use.
https://target.scene7.com/is/image/Target/GUEST_e91ca561-ba18-40c2-b663-da98fa32c9f8?fmt=webp&wid=1400&qlt=80

[Shiver Me Timbers]

Damned you for donating to Goodwill.

Was thinking dumpster but hard to take the deduction doing that

[Dartgod]

Real Christmas fans only buy real trees.

You're a fake fan. Shame on you...

[007]

Real Christmas fans only buy real trees.

You're a fake fan. Shame on you...Allergies

[DaFace]

Upgraded for only $175 at home Depot. 3 year warranty which surprised me. Multi color LEDs with remote control and foot switch.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191124/369b174755011021bf3c5dc71de68159.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191124/89d959af0aff09c322132e399b354bed.jpgI'm intrigued by the LEDs. In THEORY those things will last forever. I'll have to look into what's available these days...

[DaFace]

Real Christmas fans only buy real trees.

You're a fake fan. Shame on you...Guilty. Halloween is the best holiday. Fake trees are more than sufficient. :)

[threebag]

Halloween is the greatest holiday

[DJJasonp]

Fake trees have come a long way. Went that way a few years back and havent regretted it in the least.

Probably get a decent one for 200 or less.

No one really cares - they only care about what's underneath it! :)

[Pablo]

Guilty. Halloween is the best holiday. Fake trees are more than sufficient. :)

Halloween is the greatest holiday

It's Thanksgiving boys. That's the one.

[LoneWolf]

https://www.balsamhill.com/p/bh-fraser-fir-artificial-christmas-tree?sku=2804593&module=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAzuPuBRAIEiwAkkmOSHh2YvVV3rRz4nA8RRhf19tapFRPQ8r5qLEs9SvtEsEjaUV-SD4ZSRoCBK8QAvD_BwE

This guy knows. Balsam Hill trees are the shit. We have two Balsam Hill trees and I doubt we’ll havd to buy anything different for the next 20 years.

[mr. tegu]

We have the prelit Costco one that we got about five years ago for $400. That same tree is $250 now. They have three sizes at great prices and quality. Definitely not the paper looking “needles” either. If you go fake it’s a little more to go realistic looking but it’s worth it. A place like Michaels has them really cheap when you can do the extra 20% off sale items but they aren’t the best quality or selection.

We put up two trees though, one real and one fake. On the real one we put flocking snow on it and it looks great.

[Buehler445]

Usually my wife says “I want this”. I throw a fit. She gets it anyway.

I fucking hate Christmas shit.

[Dartgod]

We have the prelit Costco one that we got about five years ago for $400. That same tree is $250 now. They have three sizes at great prices and quality. Definitely not the paper looking “needles” either. If you go fake it’s a little more to go realistic looking but it’s worth it. A place like Michaels has them really cheap when you can do the extra 20% off sale items but they aren’t the best quality or selection.

We put up two trees though, one real and one fake. On the real one we put flocking snow on it and it looks great.

Reported for filter evasion.

[dlphg9]

Reported for filter evasion.

Ban him

[38yrsfan]

Live is what most people do around here.

I can literally walk 100 yds out the front door and get this years tree. Most families save their money for gifts and use their chain saws as trees are plentiful and free.

For many families like ours it is/was a yearly tradition. All my kids and their families do this. It helps that everyone has 4wds and snowmobiles. :)

Ho ho ho.

[RollChiefsRoll]

This guy knows. Balsam Hill trees are the shit. We have two Balsam Hill trees and I doubt we’ll havd to buy anything different for the next 20 years.

For fucking $2,000, I should hope so.

[Mennonite]

Real tree. Oddly shaped and too big because I chop down the first cedar tree that catches my eye instead of buying one.

The big multicolored but non blinking lights are essential.

[Lzen]

$1900. Holy shit!!!

For a 12 foot

[007]

What really shocks me is the 90 day return policy on artificial trees at home Depot. I wonder how many families try to abuse that after Christmas.

[stevieray]

For ****ing $2,000, I should hope so.

....it should do the laundry.

[LoneWolf]

For fucking $2,000, I should hope so.

They’ll last at least 20 years and they look amazing. If you bought a real tree every year for 20 years how much would you spend.

I think we spent $1,600 on the 12’ tree in our family room and $600 on the 9’ pencil tree in our entryway.

[MahiMike]

Every year we see how expensive these things are and get a real one from Costco.

[Chief Roundup]

I refuse to talk about anything xmas until after thanksgiving.

It is not Xmas. It is Christmas!!

[Chief Roundup]

Fuck real trees and all their maintenance bullshit, HUGE fire hazard and they always have places where they are thin or missing. They generally look like crap.
Fuck the pre-lite trees.
Buy a good thick tree put the skirt down and put the lights on it as you put it together then hang the ornaments, garland and ice cycles.
Spend the time with your family doing this stuff. It will make memories that will last more than your lifetime.

[limested]

When I was a kid that was the style, it always takes me back to see those kind :harumph:

It is/was style for WT. nothing to do with generation. 😉

[Easy 6]

It is/was style for WT. nothing to do with generation. 😉

Hey what’s up limested, hows that whore you call mom these days?

Merry Christmas!

[limested]

Hey what’s up limested, hows that whore you call mom these days?

Merry Christmas!

You just proved my point. You took it personally because it is true so then you have a pathetic comeback to try and make yourself feel better.

[Easy 6]

You just proved my point. You took it personally because it is true so then you have a pathetic comeback to try and make yourself feel better.

Only a genuine piece of shit like you would come into a fun Christmas thread and attack someone who's never had any interaction with you whatsoever

I wish we could meet face to face so I could spit in your face and watch you stand there helpless like the pussy you are... oh, and your moms a whore

[007]

Take it somewhere else gentlemen.

[eDave]

My younger years we always went out as a family and got a real tree. I love those memories. Later, my parents opted for the fake tree and it wasn't the same.

I do a live tree every year and enjoy the maintenance. We get real good ones in AZ.

[Easy 6]

Take it somewhere else gentlemen.

My apologies, but I clearly didn’t start it... no idea who this clown is

[007]

My apologies, but I clearly didn’t start it... no idea who this clown isNo offense but I don't care who started it. It's a Christmas thread and both of you are shitting all over it.

Hate putting on my parent hat.

[Easy 6]

Well dont go blaming me if he starts it up again

[Chief Roundup]

My apologies, but I clearly didn’t start it... no idea who this clown is

It is/was style for WT. nothing to do with generation. 😉

Hey what’s up limested, hows that whore you call mom these days?

Merry Christmas!

What does WT stand for? Why would that set you off if you didn't start "it"

[007]

What does WT stand for? Why would that set you off if you didn't start "it"Please leave it alone.

[limested]

Apologize fo assisting in taking off track. Easy gives just as much shit on this forums so I did not expect it to go the way it did. Clearly I hit a nerve.

I always preferred a real tree as well but as I have gotten older I prefer the convenience of a fake tree. Spend a bit extra to get quality and no worries about lights burning out.

[Dayze]

We got a slim tree this year for like 69 bucks. It’s great, takes up very little space.Doesn’t need a shit load of lights, just a couple of strands.
We haven’t put up a tree since 2008. Lmao.

[Mennonite]

I wish someone would invent an artificial tree that would fluff itself when you put it up. I swear it takes 45 min to an hour to get our tree fluffed out before we can start decorating every year.


As the most famous Ent porn star on Middle-Earth, Max Plank, once said:

"Anything...less... than 45 minutes of... fluffing... is being... hasty."

[RollChiefsRoll]

What does WT stand for? Why would that set you off if you didn't start "it"

WHITE TRASH

[Mennonite]

It is not Xmas. It is Christmas!!



Xmas has been an accepted abbreviation for a thousand years. I wouldn't expect a fake tree lover to know that, but you can google it if you doubt me.

[HonestChieffan]

I have many acres with Eastern Red Cedar of every size and shape, every year we get requests to come cut a fresh tree and I say sure..but the bugs? buddy howdy...take that pretty tree indoors and that bugger comes alive


But the bottom line is we celebrate this amazing season..my favorite time of the year

[Easy 6]

My best Christmas tree story goes like this...

It’s Christmas 1992 and my young family with two toddlers are stationed at Ft Wainwright AK

The ex and I decide to take advantage of the $5 go cut the tree yourself deal post was offering on this tract of land way out in the boonies... it’ll be romantic we said

So we drive way out there, pull over at a random spot on the road and dive in, taking turns pulling the tots on a sled... on and on and on we go looking for the perfect tree

Is getting late and we’re way too far from the car, trees are scrubby up that high in the permafrost, we’re quickly tiring dragging the kids through the deep snow, very few bushy and full examples to be found... but then THERE IT WAS, it stood out in this clearing immediately

It was a BEAUTIFUL Griswold moment

So we finally get it home and set up, completely exhausted... so proud of our work and the memories it created

But about an hour or so later the house rang out with the most pungent piss smell you’ve ever sniffed, so strong you almost became nauseous ... that’s right, we’d chosen a moose pissing post/bulletin board

It took a bit for that fact to dawn on us, but this tree in that clearing was such an obvious marking spot lol... I sure miss those days, but I’ll always have that memory

[Chief Roundup]

Xmas has been an accepted abbreviation for a thousand years. I wouldn't expect a fake tree lover to know that, but you can google it if you doubt me.

No shit. Should Christ be taken out of Christmas to make it easier/quicker for people? No it should not. That is what the season is suppose to be all about.

[RollChiefsRoll]

No shit. Should Christ be taken out of Christmas to make it easier/quicker for people? No it should not. That is what the season is suppose to be all about.

No, I’m pretty sure the season is all about chocolate covered pretzels.

[limested]

No, I’m pretty sure the season is all about chocolate covered pretzels.

Probably more accurate over he past few decades.

[Bugeater]

I prefer the two Ritz crackers with peanut butter in between dipped in chocolate.

[srvy]

WHITE TRASH

That ought to get a noob in a Christmas thread pooping in the lounge a 2 week ticket to Ubeja world.

[HonestChieffan]

Probably more accurate over he past few decades.

Have you has the chocolate/peppermint oreo type cookies from Trader Joes...

These are life changing and reflect Gods desire for us to celebrate Christmas

[HonestChieffan]

My best Christmas tree story goes like this...

It’s Christmas 1992 and my young family with two toddlers are stationed at Ft Wainwright AK

The ex and I decide to take advantage of the $5 go cut the tree yourself deal post was offering on this tract of land way out in the boonies... it’ll be romantic we said

So we drive way out there, pull over at a random spot on the road and dive in, taking turns pulling the tots on a sled... on and on and on we go looking for the perfect tree

Is getting late and we’re way too far from the car, trees are scrubby up that high in the permafrost, we’re quickly tiring dragging the kids through the deep snow, very few bushy and full examples to be found... but then THERE IT WAS, it stood out in this clearing immediately

It was a BEAUTIFUL Griswold moment

So we finally get it home and set up, completely exhausted... so proud of our work and the memories it created

But about an hour or so later the house rang out with the most pungent piss smell you’ve ever sniffed, so strong you almost became nauseous ... that’s right, we’d chosen a moose pissing post/bulletin board

It took a bit for that fact to dawn on us, but this tree in that clearing was such an obvious marking spot lol... I sure miss those days, but I’ll always have that memory

Yo...wanna real cedar from the deer woods fer free?

[Bugeater]

Have you has the chocolate/peppermint oreo type cookies from Trader Joes...

These are life changing and reflect Gods desire for us to celebrate Christmas

No....but now i have to try them...

[Cleavage]

I like simple pleasures, like butter in my ass, lollipops in my mouth.

https://cdn.instructables.com/FHV/F680/GI0TJ0QF/FHVF680GI0TJ0QF.LARGE.jpg