Author: NYC-Christmas-Tour

Environmental Impact of Traditional Christmas Trees

Did you know that approximately 30 million Christmas trees are sold in the United States alone every year? While traditional Christmas trees may bring joy and a holiday spirit into the home, they also have a significant impact on the environment. The production of traditional Christmas trees requires a lot of water and energy, as well as the use of pesticides and herbicides. Furthermore, once Christmas is over, these trees are often discarded, resulting in a massive amount of waste.

Advantages of Artificial Christmas Trees

Artificial Christmas trees have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their convenience and durability. They are typically made from PVC plastic, which is non-biodegradable but can last for up to 20 years. Unlike traditional Christmas trees, artificial trees do not require constant watering and can be reused year after year. Additionally, artificial trees eliminate the need for harmful chemicals used in tree farming.

Disadvantages of Artificial Christmas Trees

Despite their advantages, artificial Christmas trees also have their downsides. The production of PVC plastic contributes to air and water pollution, and once discarded, these trees will remain in landfills for centuries because they do not biodegrade. Additionally, many artificial Christmas trees are produced overseas, resulting in a high carbon footprint due to shipping.

Comparing the Costs

When it comes to cost, traditional and artificial Christmas trees are relatively similar, with prices ranging from $50 to $100 on average. However, the cost of an artificial tree can be offset by its longevity. Over a period of 20 years, an artificial tree can pay for itself, while traditional trees must be purchased every year. Moreover, artificial trees do not require the additional cost of ornaments, which is often the case for traditional trees.

Conclusion: Which Tree is Right for You?

Ultimately, the decision between a traditional or artificial Christmas tree comes down to personal preferences and priorities. While artificial trees may be more convenient and cost-effective in the long run, traditional trees have a unique beauty and ambiance that cannot be replicated. Regardless of which option is chosen, it is important for individuals to consider the environmental impact and to properly dispose of their tree once the holiday season is over.

The year 2022 promises to be a great one for those looking to buy an artificial Christmas tree. With excellent options spanning the range of styles, sizes, and materials available today, there’s no shortage of choices for anyone who wants to keep their holiday decorating budget in check.

Tip 1: Start with a Quality Artificial Christmas Tree

Investing in a quality artificial Christmas tree is crucial for making the most of your holiday decor. Look for trees made from durable materials that can withstand years of use, and choose a style that matches your personal preferences. Consider the height and shape of the tree, as well as the number and density of branches, to find the perfect fit for your space.

Tip 2: Choose the Right Lights

When it comes to lighting your artificial Christmas tree, there are a few key factors to consider. First, decide on the type of lights you want to use – traditional incandescent bulbs or more energy-efficient LED lights. Next, choose the right number of lights to ensure that your tree shines brightly without overwhelming the room. Finally, consider adding a timer or remote control to make it easy to turn your tree on and off.

Tip 3: Fluff and Shape Your Tree for Maximum Fullness

To achieve the fullest and most realistic look with your artificial Christmas tree, take the time to fluff and shape the branches. Start from the bottom of the tree and work your way up, spreading out the branches and adjusting the tips to create a full, natural appearance. This process may take some time, but it will be well worth the effort when your tree looks like it was just cut from the forest.

Tip 4: Add Texture with Garland and Ribbon

To add depth and texture to your tree, consider incorporating garland or ribbon into your decor. Choose options that complement the color and style of your tree, and layer them from the top to the bottom for a cohesive look. Whether you opt for classic tinsel or trendy burlap, these small details can make a big impact on your overall holiday decor.

Tip 5: Create a Focal Point with a Tree Topper

A tree topper is not only a functional element for holding up your tree’s highest branches, but it’s also an opportunity to create a stunning focal point for your entire decor scheme. Choose a topper that matches the theme and color scheme of your decor, whether it’s a classic angel or star, a playful animal figure, or something more unique like a peacock feather or floral arrangement.

Tip 6: Use a Tree Skirt to Cover the Base

A tree skirt is not only a practical way to cover up the base of your artificial Christmas tree, but it’s also an opportunity to add another layer of style and color to your overall decor. Look for skirts made from high-quality materials like felt, velvet, or faux fur, and choose a style that complements your tree and decor. Whether you opt for a classic red and green plaid or something more modern like a metallic or glittery finish, a tree skirt can help tie your whole design together.

Tip 7: Experiment with Different Ornament Sizes and Shapes

Rather than using the same size and style of ornaments throughout your tree, consider mixing things up with different sizes, shapes, and textures. Incorporate larger statement pieces, smaller filler ornaments, and unique specialty pieces to create depth and interest throughout your decor. Consider themes like vintage, rustic, or glam to help guide your ornament choices and create a cohesive look.

Tip 8: Layer in Additional Decor Elements

In addition to your tree and ornaments, there are plenty of other decoration elements you can incorporate into your space to create a complete holiday design. Consider adding a colorful wreath on your front door, hanging stockings on your mantle, or displaying a collection of nutcrackers or other festive figurines. These small touches can help make your space feel warm, inviting, and fully decorated for the holidays.

Tip 9: Store Your Artificial Christmas Tree Properly

After the holiday season is over, it’s important to properly store your artificial Christmas tree to ensure its longevity and usability for years to come. First, remove all ornaments and decorations, and carefully disassemble the tree according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a tree bag or box to keep everything together, and store in a cool, dry place to prevent any damage or deterioration.

Tip 10: Consider Going Green with a Living Christmas Tree

While artificial Christmas trees are a popular choice for their convenience and longevity, some decorators prefer the beauty and authenticity of a live tree. Consider renting a living Christmas tree that can be replanted after the holidays, or purchase a potted tree that can be enjoyed for years to come. This eco-friendly option is a fun and sustainable way to celebrate the holiday season with a touch of nature.

Overall, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to finding the perfect artificial Christmas tree for your home this holiday season! With various shapes, materials and sizes available at different price points across the board; anyone can find something that fits their budget while still providing an attractive centerpiece for any room in their home – from small apartments to cozy living rooms! Whatever your style preference may be – classic pine cone branches or snow-dusted winter wonderland styles – rest assured that there is an artificial Christmas tree perfect for any space waiting out there just for you!

The day after Christmas is the hardest since you have to put away the tree and decorations. Regardless, putting up the Christmas tree and decorations for the first time is one of the most exciting parts of the holiday season.

Looking to keep your tree looking green all year long? Here’s your luck!

Below are several ways to prolong the life of your pre-lit Christmas tree:

Disconnect it from the wall socket every night before bed.

You should hide it somewhere overnight where it won’t be trampled on by a pet or a youngster, such a closet or beneath a table. If you don’t have a cordless alarm clock or some other way to ensure that the lights are on when you wake up in the morning, a timer is a great alternative.

If you have more than one set of lights on your artificial tree, it’s best to put it near an outlet rather than across the room from one.

Refrain from using lights older than a year.

Each set of lights may be used for around a thousand hours before they begin to flicker. Leaving them on constantly or getting them mixed up with other decorations may cause them to burn out much more quickly. To extend the life of your strands, replace them annually with fresh ones.

Keep trees far from fireplaces and radiators.

Don’t put your tree near any radiators or fires. Lights that have been damaged by the heat will not shine as brightly, diminishing the tree’s holiday appeal.

A consistent watering schedule

No matter how realistic they are, even artificial trees need watering. The Christmas tree loses its festiveness if the needles dry out and fall off because of a lack of water. The frequency of watering should be specified by the manufacturer. Without further direction, it seems reasonable to water once every week or so till Christmas.

Water the tree’s base to a depth of at least an inch if you’re using a tree stand. If you don’t have a tree stand, you can protect the trunk from drying out by putting it in a bucket or tub of water.

Check the lights, and check again!

The majority of pre-lit artificial Christmas trees include lights that must be plugged into an electrical outlet before they can be used. These lights, unfortunately, can burn out over time and will need to be replaced before the following holiday season. So that you can enjoy your tree without fearing that it will go black midway through December, most manufacturers recommend replacing burned out bulbs soon after seeing them.

Disassemble just what must be disassembled

Although it may be tempting to turn off your tree’s lights for the season, doing so will make it impossible to turn them back on next year. All those plastic pieces will only take up room in a box until next Christmas unless you plan on tossing them away (which we highly advise against).

The Debate over Green Artificial Christmas Trees: Do They Really Put People in the Holiday Spirit?

Let’s face it…it has been a difficult few years for almost everyone these days. Whether you were laid off from work due to the pandemic, found yourself having to switch careers due to the pandemic, or simply feeling the effects of inflation that everybody is dealing with throughout the world…when Christmas rolls around, it can be hard to really have the Christmas spirit.

What can you do about it? Christmas is a time to gather with everyone and enjoy the company of other people. So, putting up your green artificial Christmas trees can be the first step in getting into the Christmas spirit. How is this? It is hard to feel like everything is so dark when you have green artificial Christmas trees twinkling with lights and decor in your home! Yes, it may take a bit more than simply putting up your tree, but you will find that this is a great start.

Tips and Tricks for Creating a Festive Atmosphere with an Artificial Christmas Tree

For those who are having a hard time getting into the mood to even put up your green artificial Christmas trees, here are a few ways to make this fun and perhaps even help put yourself into the mood for all that Christmas brings!

1. Make a goal for when the tree will be up in your home. If you have a date for the tree to be up, you will make yourself do this. This doesn’t mean that you have to have your green artificial Christmas trees up as soon as Thanksgiving is over. You can give yourself some time to get over that major holiday before jumping into another one.

2. Don’t feel as though you have to go all out with your theme. Go with what you love. You may even find it better to go with a theme that reminds you of your childhood and helps to bring about those feelings that you always had at Christmas as a child. Many people are opting to go with some themes that remind them of their childhood Christmas’, and they find that it really helps to put them into the spirit of Christmas.

3. Remember what Christmas is all about. It is not about expensive gifts, it is about celebrating and being with one another. For this reason, many people have found that their gatherings are no longer about getting everyone the perfect gift, it is about gathering around these green artificial Christmas trees and simply enjoying the time together.

How do you feel about the upcoming Christmas season? Are you excited or just feeling as though this is another thing to get through? Remember, your green artificial Christmas trees can go a long way in helping you feel more in the spirit, and just remind yourself every day during the season that this is a time to make memories. A time to enjoy one another, and let the things you worry about going to the back of your mind for the time being. You will find that a positive attitude will help out tremendously.

Full artificial Christmas trees are the most popular type of tree sold in the United States. They come in a variety of sizes and heights, but they all have one thing in common: You can’t cut them down yourself and trim them into shape. Full artificial Christmas trees are pre-made, which means they’re ready to go from the store to your home without any additional effort on your part.

If you’re looking for a full artificial Christmas tree this holiday season, here are some pro tips for choosing the right size:

Look For Options That Come As a Set

If you’re looking for an easy way to decorate your home this year, consider buying an entire set of decorations along with your new tree. Some companies offer bundles that include everything from wreaths to garlands to lights.

Compare heights

 While most people prefer a taller tree, if it’s too tall for your space it could look awkward or cause problems when it comes down from the ceiling at Christmas time (not to mention how hard it would be to decorate). Measure how high up from the floor you want your tree top to be — about 4 feet is standard — and then compare heights between different trees before choosing one.

Consider shape

 While most artificial Christmas trees are sold as either full or slim models, there are also trees that fall somewhere in between these two categories (like an Emerald Coast Pine Tree shown above). Consider what shape looks best in your space before making a purchase decision.

Measure your space

If you’re shopping for a new artificial Christmas tree, measure the space where you plan to put it. Measure from floor to ceiling and note whether there are any obstructions along the way (such as fireplaces, windows or doors). If you’re unsure about this step, just walk around your house and look at its dimensions with your own eyes.

If you plan on storing the artificial Christmas tree in a shed or garage, then measure that too. You might want to buy an artificial Christmas tree that’s slightly bigger than what fits inside so that it can be placed on an elevated platform (like one made out of wood) instead of being stored directly on the ground level.

Use a real-life test results as a guide

 A real-life test results show that a 7-foot tree works best in most rooms with ceilings 8 feet tall or less (or 6 feet plus high crown molding). A 7½-foot tree works well for ceilings 8½ feet tall or less (or 6½ feet plus high crown molding).

Think about where you’ll be putting your tree.

If you plan on hanging ornaments from it, make sure they won’t fall off if they’re too close together or too far apart from each other. If there’s not enough room between branches for ornaments, consider buying them separately and placing them around your tree once it’s set up at home.

For those who are going to be placing 12 foot artificial Christmas trees in their home, congrats, as you have made a very smart decision! Many people often think of artificial trees as a poor comparison to real trees, however, you will find that the benefits of these artificial trees far outweigh real trees. Just what are the benefits of opting for 12 foot artificial Christmas trees?

The Grandeur of 12 Foot Artificial Christmas Trees

1. Think about all the needles that would fall from a real tree and multiply this to the height of your 12 foot artificial Christmas trees! You are going to be saving yourself from a lot of sweeping up and vacuuming these away from the floor around the tree. And let’s face it, for those who have a family, chances are you are going to find these needles throughout your home as they stick to shoes and socks.

2. No watering needed! Life is hectic and sometimes those with real trees forget to check the water on their real tree. This is going to result in the tree dying, looking horrible, and even more needles on the floor to clean up.

3. There will be no traveling to get your tree when you use 12 foot artificial Christmas trees. You will find that every year a person uses a real tree, they have to arrange for this to be delivered or they have to drive with this strapped to a car or truck. The drive to get to your home can even result in these real trees looking less than stellar when you arrive home.

4. You are doing your part in lowering the number of real trees that end up in a compost pile somewhere or on the curb for trash pickup. When the end of the holiday season hits, these trees are thrown away and this does amount to a lot of trash. 12 foot artificial Christmas trees are going to be reused for many years to come, which is more environmentally friendly.