Choosing Your Christmas Tree

Choosing Your Christmas Tree

We all know and love the holiday classic movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and the lovable Clark Griswold.  One of my favorite scenes is the Christmas Tree selection and set up.  As hyperbolic a situation shown in the scene, it brings up some overlooked points when selecting a Christmas Tree.

• Height:  Make sure you know the ceiling height of your selected space.  The listed tree height includes the stand.  A 6.5' tree in a 10' ceiling space will look underwhelming.  Or in Clark's case, a 9.5' tree with an 8' ceiling will not work without some comical effort.
• Diameter:  Once you know the diameter, the widest measurement of the tree, make sure you note the tree is a cone so you'll need this distance in every direction.  Full and slim tree models are available to give you options.
• Lighting:  Most artificial trees are conveniently sold pre-lit with incandescent lights.  Check the light count to make sure you have the desired appearance.  A light count that is too low or too high should be a concern.
• Materials:  Christmas Trees are generally made out of two materials: PVC, polyethylene, or both.  PVC is the less expensive, less realistic option that is generally associated with artificial Christmas trees.  Polyethylene (PE) can be molded to form very realistic textures and appearances.
• Weight:  When in doubt of the quality of the tree you should check the weight.  The higher quality trees have more material and sturdy frames.  A heavier tree generally means a higher quality product.