No matter how stylish and lush your holiday home decorations, it won't be complete without a Christmas tree. Many requirements apply to this main "guest": lush branches, long-lasting needles, a reasonable price, a beautiful color, and a pleasant scent. Choosing an artificial tree is also challenging, as there are so many different models and manufacturers. Finding the perfect Christmas tree can be done by researching various options, comparing prices, and reading reviews.
Natural Christmas trees
There are three types of coniferous trees available commercially. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and farms' harvests vary from year to year, so selection may be limited. The most popular are:
- blue or green spruce;
- pine;
- fir.
Christmas trees are the least practical. They shed their leaves quickly, require regular maintenance, and can quickly turn yellow if improperly stored. Such a tree will have to be taken outside in early January, otherwise the needles will almost completely fall off. However, the spruce has a traditional conical shape, drooping branches, and fluffy needles. Decorating such a tree is difficult due to its spiky nature, but you won't need many decorations. There's no difference between the green and blue New Year's beauties, but the former start at 400 rubles, while the latter start at 700 rubles.
Pine is more practical. Its needles are less prickly but longer. The branches curve upward and are more densely spaced, giving the tree a "fluffy" appearance. During the holidays, cleaning around such a tree is easy, especially since the needles hardly ever fall off. A tree can last up to a month in a house without any special care. Another advantage is its strong aroma due to the active resin secretion. Additional fragrances are definitely not necessary. However, pine is not suitable for allergy sufferers. Prices are very affordable: up to 1 meter tall - from 150 rubles, up to 2 meters - from 300 rubles, and above 500 rubles.
Fir is an expensive and exclusive option. This tree will last for more than two months without shedding. It has a faint scent but an attractive appearance. The branches grow almost horizontally, with no exposed trunk. The needles are flat and not at all sharp. Children can hang Christmas decorations on this tree. The tree won't splinter or shed, making it ideal for decorating homes with small children and pets. Christmas fir trees sell for as little as 700 rubles. They are rarely found at markets and stalls; it's easier to find a tree directly from a nursery.
To ensure your Christmas tree doesn't disappoint, follow a few rules when choosing one. Go looking during the day, before lunch, when the light is at its brightest. It's best to hold the tree yourself; sellers are adept at disguising any imperfections. If it's tall but very light, it's likely old or diseased and unlikely to last more than a week. It's important to remember that fir trees and spruces don't lose their shape in the cold, while pine trees, on the contrary, will open up and become fuller. You can do a simple test: lightly tap the trunk on the ground. A few needles may fall off, but no more. The trunk should be free of mold, large black spots, or rotted areas.
Artificial alternative
Plastic trees are no longer an exception. Today, you can find stunning options with completely imitation natural needles, snow-covered tips, and even cones that feel just like the real thing. Although these trees don't shed, you still need to choose them carefully. Signs of quality include:
- tightly seated needles on branches:
- level bases;
- non-bending lines;
- needles not jammed.
Cast rubber Christmas trees look the most realistic. They perfectly replicate the natural contours and even feel like a spruce to the touch. Ribbon needles only resemble real trees from a distance, making these trees ideal as a budget-friendly alternative or as a photo backdrop. The best option for indoor use is a combination of cast rubber needles along the edges of the branches and PVC strips inside. These artificial trees look lush and large, but are also inexpensive. In the standard price range, a tree up to 2 meters tall costs between 7,000 and 15,000 rubles. Premium trees start at 20,000 rubles, while budget options cost around 3,000-5,000 rubles. The following manufacturers receive the best reviews:
- National Tree Company;
- Russian Christmas tree;
- Kaemingk;
- Elki Torg.
Before purchasing an artificial tree, you can perform a few tests. For example, hold a branch in your palm and run it from base to tip. The ribbons should not fray or deform. A high-quality tree will have a heavy trunk, not a lightweight plastic one.
Artificial or natural, green, blue, or white—no matter what tree you have in your home on New Year's Eve, it's sure to bring a special festive atmosphere. But to ensure your tree brings you joy for a long time, you need to choose it wisely. Quality is unsustainable, so before purchasing, it's important to inspect the trunk, needles, and frame of your natural tree, and the branches, ribbons, and frame of your artificial tree. A traditional pine can be replaced with a beautiful spruce or a more exotic fir, and among artificial options, you can choose unusual white models or those with pine cones, snow-covered branches, and even built-in LED lights.