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[caf in va]

I wanted to get some suggestions on a new artificial tree. I have had some from QVC in the past, but they don't last long with each time you put them up and take them down, it takes its toll. I am at the point of wanting to get a really good tree to hold up well.

I love Balsam Hill, and Frontgate,, but they are way to expensive. I have looked at Santa's Own (they get good reviews) and the Santa's Best here. I want a tree that looks real and holds up well. Anyone have a tree they are really satisfied with? I want one in the 7.5 range.

Thanks for any suggestions. By the way has anyone used Wayfair for this?

Hope this doesn't get poofed.

[stevieb]

Personally, I'd go to a local shop so I could see them in person. Many local garden and outdoor furniture stores stock these things for the winter months, but you probably pay more for them there. More than likely, I'd just take a trip to Lowe's, Home Depot and Target and see them in person. I happen to be convinced that no matter how 'high end' a tree is supposed to be or how much you spend, an artificial tree is going to have a limited span of time before it starts to look a bit rough around the edges. That's why I usually go the middle of the road route, price-wise, and expect to replace them every so often.

[PamelaSue72]

Balsam Hill is expensive, but they're really good trees. Our tree in the bedroom is from Balsam Hill. We have six cats and that tree withstands everything those cats can dish out, including one of them sleeping in the back of it every year. It is still a gorgeous tree.

[gardenman]

I bought an $88 tree from Walmart last year that's pretty nice. It's the Duncan Fir (now at $89) with multi-colored lights. I've already got it up this year and it still looks and works great. Granted it's only the second year, but it's fine for me. I can pop up a photo of it if you're interested. I find that by the time I get all of my ornaments, beads, and other stuff on the tree that whatever tree you have under the ornaments pretty much disappears. I like this tree as it comes in three pieces. I set up the bottom piece open it up and start adding ornaments (primarily silvery/reflective ones) deep inside the tree working my way out and then when that's pretty much full I add the second layer and repeat the process then the tree top. After that the glass beads go on and then the fancy ornaments, then the smaller fill-in ornaments. There's not a whole lot of tree left to see by the time I'm done, but I like my trees decorated like that.

I have a rotating stand for it (actually a rotating display stand that's designed to be used for store merchandise that a regional Christmas store sold me nearly twenty plus years ago) and then I tape up crumpled Mylar emergency blankets on the wall behind it to reflect the lights more and it's a good look. (Especially at night when the Mylar pretty much disappears and all you see are the reflections.)

At under $90 it's not a big deal even if it should somehow fall apart, but it seems pretty well made to me and very solid. I'm already on my second year with it and I suspect I'll still be using it many years from now. I've got my LightKeeper Pro handy if the lights should fail, but so far I haven't needed it. It's been pretty much a perfect tree for me at a bargain price.

[caf in va]

I would love to see a picture of it. I can't believe the price!

[desperate-housewife]

I bought a $400+ tree from QVC a few years ago, and I'll never buy another tree I can't touch in person first again. This tree scratches my arms like crazy just when setting it up and taking it back down because the tips on one type of the simulated branches are very stiff plastic. I had to get some long suede work gloves to wear when dealing with the tree each year. I'm just waiting a few more years to justify having used this one enough to replace it.

[ECBG]

Go to Mr Rebates.com and see if the .coms you mention are in agreement with them. Then you can set up a free account (never a cost to you-ever!) and get a percentage back from of every vender they represent. You get to choose when they send you the check. Q is on it! Wouldn't you like a check for a percentage every time you place and keep an order here?

[gardenman]

On 11/19/2014 caf in va said: I would love to see a picture of it. I can't believe the price!

Here's a shot of the tree taken just a few minutes ago. It's not an exceptionally sharp photo as the tree was turning, but you can get a good idea of how it looks. Like I said, I use enough ornaments that the tree pretty much disappears under them.

[Kachina624]

On 11/19/2014 ECBG said:

Go to Mr Rebates.com and see if the .coms you mention are in agreement with them. Then you can set up a free account (never a cost to you-ever!) and get a percentage back from of every vender they represent. You get to choose when they send you the check. Q is on it! Wouldn't you like a check for a percentage every time you place and keep an order here?

How did an advertisement for Mr. REBATES get in a Christmas tree discussion?

[Lynnj]

I just got a beautiful tree from Home Depot this past Sunday. $99, it's from the Martha Stewart Collection. Already had pine cones and berries placed throughout. White lights are the only option, but I like that color anyway. The tree is sort of slim, but works well for the corner that I have it in. I think it is 61/2 tall, maybe 7. I've spent hundreds in the past on trees,,from the Q and other places. They just don't last- no more. I expect this one to last 2 years (hopefully more) but if only 2 then $50 per year would be the cost for this tree and I think a fair price. The tree is really, really beautiful.