Anyone have tips on buying a fake xmas tree? I want one that looks real, isn’t too expensive, and isn’t a b*tch to set up. I have 13-foot high ceilings, so I will probably get a tall-ish one b/c of that.
I haven’t had a tree since I’ve lived on my own. And since I have a fireplace now, too, so Santa can finally get in!
They’re all a bitch to set up. You can find them at any WalMart, Target, etc, and they will all pretty much look ok once you’ve got them set up, and decorated with lights/garland/ornaments. Obviously, the more real it looks, the more expensive it’s likely to be, but nothing brings the Christmas spirit to the house quite like a tree. Have fun.
Inexpensive and realistic don’t usually go together. My wife and I bought ours at English Gardens after Christmas 13 yrs ago. Still looks good. It was $350 then (on sale). Wish it had built in lights but can’t justify replacing it just for that, especially when I look at what the $200 trees look like.
Word of caution, this thing takes up at least twice the space of the original box (maybe more like 2.5x or 3x) Because once you shape the branches you really don’t want to flatten them back out. And the top section is in its own box so it does not get smashed. This may also be why 13 years later it looks as good as it did new. (Will post pics when we get it up this year)(next weekend).
I have a 40% off coupon for Hobby Lobby. I figured that would help some. Post-xmas storage of the tree is another issue… maybe i can decorate it for every season and just leave it up! 
a 13ft tree? F*ck - you’re going to need a 15ft ladder so you can reach the top.
Ho ho ho - you’re getting a lump of coal for that!
If you have a small garden or even a balcony you can get a living tree. By the way stop rushing the holidays will ya ; )
I’m still looking for a duathlon to do before the snow arrives.
Are living trees widely available down there? It would seem they all need to be shipped down there, and that would make them very expensive to sell. But what do I know, maybe pine trees thrive in that texas weather too.
Wow, I can’t imagine Christmases without trees!
I know you’re getting a fake tree - but if you can get some real branches, put little bits of the evergreen into your fire! It makes the BEST crackling noise.
Well, i have a fake fireplace too (the gas kind). Oh, and I use fake sugar. And my hair is artificially colored.
what color is your hair now?
Dark brown. It’s normally auburn/brown without dye.
Here - 3 years ago, natural color (I think) but maybe some chlorine damage.
Costco has some nice ones.
Funny about Santa finding a way in… when I was little we lived in AZ and my big concern was that we had no chimney so how would Santa get in to deliver the goods. My mom told me he would come through the sliding glass door… that just wasn’t good enough for me. I think I stopped believing around then.
Santa should be extra good to you since your s double IM finisher this year!!
Mine is from Hobby Lobby. I think it’s what you call a “Gatlinburg Pine” or something similar. No, it won’t fool you into thinking it’s real…but it’s cute and easy to decorate. Maybe 6’ tall.
"put little bits of the evergreen into your fire! It makes the BEST crackling noise. "
OMG! Those are baby elves exploding. Quit doing that!
Chris
Because Tracy is allergic to Christmas trees, we have a fake one she bought three years ago from Big Lots for like $25. It has the lights already on it and like the other posters said, once it’s decorated it looks the same. The hardest part of the whole process is getting the damn thing back into the box.
Anyone have tips on buying a fake xmas tree?
As an alternative, Sierra Magazine, a Sierra Club publication, suggests: “For a natural look, try making your own tree of trimmed evergreen boughs, a storm-felled branch, or a piece of driftwood.”
Ah, yes, let’s hear it for tradition…nuttin’ says Christmas like a hunk o’driftwood! Just like Gramma used to do.
Better than an aluminum pole…
And the “feats of strength”. LOL.