topic Re: Christmas tree opinion? in Community Chat

Christmas tree opinion?

Shorty2U — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:41:07 GMT

Tis the season! We rarely argue and now we are arguing over a tree tonight. lol. (yes ridiculous I know and now I feel like I am acting spoiled after the fact!).

DH put our tree together 3 hours ago. The middle of the tree is out. He took it apart 3X now and rechecked with a fine tooth comb that each plug inside the tree is was where it should be and they are so thats that.

Oh and the tree is ONLY 4 or 5 years old? Yeah they dont make things like they used to! Our Mt King Christmas tree when I was young lasted 25 years and was donated to charity in mint condition (of course it wasnt pre-lit)

Anyway DH wants to simply go buy lights and add it to the tree for this year. He said he doesnt want to spend the money now for a tree when we are trying to finish Christmas shopping

I want to replace it tomorrow! OR get a real tree (just for this year then buy an artificial for next year).

I just dont think it will look right rigged up with pre-lit and strung lights! Maybe I am OC and too fussy but the tree is what I like best of all of our decor..

Would you rig the tree with bought lights and use it this year? Have you ever rigged a tree like this and did it look ok? Or would you trash it and get another tree asap?.

PS Its 6.5 ft. And I was just saying (days ago) I want a 5 ft tree next year because it would be easier, and this happened. Guess one has to watch what they wish for huh?..lol.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

fourpaws56 — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:43:44 GMT

I would send it to the xmas tree graveyard and get a real tree...since you asked :-)

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

SHIRAZ — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:43:45 GMT

I'm like you. I would want to just start over from scratch!

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

Citrine1 — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:47:08 GMT

I would go out and get a new tree -- not a real one, but a new pre-lit tree.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

VanSleepy — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:48:00 GMT

I probably would not run out and buy a new one now. You can get one at the after-Christmas sales for next year. If you can hide the wires on a real tree, you should be able to hide the wires on this one, no? Plus it's already up and I'm kinda lazy lol

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:48:37 GMT

It took reading the whole post to figure out if you were talking about an artificial or real tree! Sounds to me like you really want a real tree.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

Buck-i-Nana — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:49:49 GMT

If the only thing wrong is the lights being out, I'd put new lights in that section. As long as you make sure you get the right lights (incandescent or led) it should be fine. In fact, I would probably take the tree apart, put the replacement lights on the mid-section so they can remain in place when it's time to take the tree down.

I did that with a tree that I dearly loved and kept it another 3 years. Nobody ever noticed anything different.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

Moonchilde — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:53:54 GMT

I think if it were me, I'd buy a new artificial tree at the after-Xmas sales - you should be able to get the tree of your dreams then for a great price. And I'd probably buy a real tree this year - OTOH, you'd have to be buying lights for one use, and it would be just as much or more of a PIT* to string lights on an entire real tree than just on part of your current tree. Depends on how much effort the two of you want to put into it ;-)

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

GCR18 — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:57:11 GMT

I'd get lights for that section. If I couldn't find a match, I'd buy lights for the entire tree, then use them on the new tree next year.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

151949 — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:01:24 GMT

Last year the middle of ours went too. DH - the engineer - tried for hours and hours to fix it and finally gave up. We got a gorgeous tree at Home Depot for $119.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

Kachina624 — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:05:29 GMT

If I were young with a family, I think it would be fun to get a permit and go cut a tree in the national forest around here. There are so many varieties that would make beautiful Christmas trees. I'm always spotting "the perfect tree" as I drive through the area.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

Buck-i-Nana — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:07:19 GMT

One other suggestion. Have you tried that"lightkeeper" christmas light fixer that looks like a gun? It works, really. I've had mine for years and have gotten at least another year or two out of lights that I couldn't get to work after checking all the bulbs and fuses. I know they carry it at Lowes. It costs about $20. If you have Christmas lights in your house, I think this is a must have!

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

Nataliesgramma — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:09:26 GMT

Ours did that 2 years ago...I let hubby buy a new string of lights for the middle and you couldn't tell the difference....THEN.......the top ones went out a week later.......

Last year I cut all the lights off the tree and now I put lights on the old fashioned way.....I never want anothe pre-lit tree....

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

gidgetgh — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:12:00 GMT

If you have a Target near you, I think their trees are on sale this weekend.

I'd get rid of it and get a new tree.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

nunya — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:12:59 GMT

Mine did that last year and I just bought lights, but I strung the whole tree and you couldn't tell.

I was kind of mad because the tree was only a couple years old. Not sure how long they are supposed to last but they never seem to last long.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

nunya — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:14:05 GMT

@Nataliesgramma wrote:
Ours did that 2 years ago...I let hubby buy a new string of lights for the middle and you couldn't tell the difference....THEN.......the top ones went out a week later.......

Last year I cut all the lights off the tree and now I put lights on the old fashioned way.....I never want anothe pre-lit tree....

I cut all the lights off mine too.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

Bird mama — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:14:40 GMT

I'd rig it with lights and load it up with ornaments.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

Sister Golden Hair — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:17:19 GMT

I would buy lights.

Wait for the big sales after Christmas.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

Marp — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:28:05 GMT

If you are seriously considering a fresh tree don't overlook the potential work and expense involved.

Fresh trees are not inexpensive. A 6-7 foot Fraser can weight 50 pounds or more and the weight is unbalanced making it difficult to position. More cutting will likely need to be done after getting the tree home from the lot or field.

You will need a secure tree stand and lights.

The tree will need frequent water checks.

No matter how well hydrated needles will fall and if you have carpet I don't care what you do to prevent it you will still be finding dried, fallen needles woven into the carpet next summer!

Eventually the tree will have to come down and disposed of (more needles dropping).

I'm sure there are considerations I've missed, it has been many years since I've had a cut fresh tree but the above quickly came to mind. If you do go for a fresh tree I hope you and your DH either have help or are physically agile and fit.

Re: Christmas tree opinion?

Perkup — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:38:13 GMT

Yes, this has happened to us. The same thing - middle of the three section 9 foot tree went out completely and there didn't seem to be any "fix" for the situation. We bought two strands of identical style lights and added them to the tree as it sat half dark. Honestly, you couldn't tell the difference. We were ready to replace the tree anyway, but it was already up and we didn't want to go through the rigors of taking it down again. Decorated, you could not tell that there was any difference in the tree from other years.

Buy a couple of strands of lights and wait till next year to get a whole new set-up. There'll be lots of new "innovations" in trees next year and you'll probably be glad you waited.