Artificial Christmas Trees & Pre-Lit Christmas Trees

Christmas Tree Decorating Guide

Set Up & Prep

Start from the Bottom: Begin at the base and work your way upward.

Separate Each Branch: Spread the individual tips in various directions to fill gaps.

Work with Patience: Fluffing takes time but enhances the tree's fullness and structure.

Fluff Toward the Light: Make sure branches face the areas that will be illuminated.

Lighting Methods

Traditional Wrap: Start from the bottom and work your way up, wrapping lights around the entire tree. This method ensures even coverage.

Vertical Hanging: Hang lights in vertical lines instead of wrapping around the tree. Start at the top and drape lights down to the base.

Layered Depth: Place lights deeper inside the branches, not just on the surface, for a more dynamic and glowing effect.

Zigzag Method: Zigzag lights across the front of the tree, focusing on where they'll be most visible. This method is faster and uses fewer lights but is less comprehensive.

Test Before Hanging: Check all lights for functionality before starting.

Lights per Foot: Use around 100 lights for every 1 to 1.5 feet of tree height.

Color: Choose warm white for a classic look or multicolored for a festive vibe.

Group in threes for visual impact.
Place special ornaments at eye level!

Ornaments

Start with Large Ornaments: Begin by placing large ornaments deep within the branches for depth and balance.

Hang Mid-Sized and Smaller Ornaments: Add medium-sized ornaments, filling gaps, then use small ones for the outermost branches.

Balance Colors and Shapes: Distribute ornaments evenly to avoid clustering similar colors or shapes in one area.

Use Hooks or Ribbon: Secure ornaments with hooks or festive ribbon, making sure they're well-anchored.

Garlands & Ribbons

Drape them evenly, or weave through the branches.
Add depth with varying textures.

Final Touches

Add the tree topper to complete the look.

Nothing ushers in the magic of the season like a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Ace Hardware carries a large assortment of stunning artificial Christmas trees to help you celebrate the holidays in style.

Benefits of Artificial Christmas Trees

A Christmas tree is a tradition that brings the family together and marks the beginning of the season. If avoiding the maintenance and cleanup associated with a live tree is a top priority, a reusable Christmas tree makes a great alternative. Another benefit? They don't shed needles or pose a problem for people with allergies.

Many of today's indoor and outdoor artificial Christmas trees feature realistic details that mimic the look and feel of real trees. They’re also popular for their easy set up. What’s more, once you find one you love, you can store it away after the holidays and conveniently unbox it again next year.

Which Christmas Tree Should You Get?

Artificial trees come in many different sizes and shapes, with lots of features including a pre-built Christmas tree stand and incorporated decorations. Selecting the right Christmas tree for you will largely depend on your sense of style, the size of your space and the height of your ceiling.

Keep the following factors in mind when shopping for a new indoor or outdoor Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree Styles

Artificial Christmas trees come in an array of styles to suit your holiday décor. When exploring different Christmas tree styles, consider options such as:

Pre-lit Christmas trees with white lights: Ready for display, classic pre-lit Christmas trees offer easy setup and cleanup and help you avoid the hassle of tangled lights.
Multicolored Christmas trees: Color-changing Christmas trees allow you to enjoy a decorative piece that will shine and sparkle while adding brilliant pops of color.
Pencil Christmas trees: These slim trees are perfect for small spaces, making wonderful additions to apartments or smaller rooms throughout your home.
Outdoor Christmas trees: made with weather-resistant materials, these trees are perfect for your yard or porch. Look for light up options and different styles.
Flocked Christmas trees: With branches covered in snow-like material, these classic white Christmas trees bring a wintry feel to your décor and make ornaments stand out.

You can further stylize your pick with a Christmas tree skirt and additional festive lights and decorations to get your tree’s look just right. Hang vibrant wreaths and garlands nearby to fill the space around your tree with the holiday spirit!

Tree Height and Room Size

Full-size artificial Christmas trees range in height but can reach over 9 feet to accommodate any ceiling height. If space is limited, a small Christmas tree just a few feet tall might offer a more appropriate fit.

When measuring your space to determine an appropriate height, a good rule of thumb is to leave at least 6 inches between the ceiling and the top of the tree. Don't forget to include the height of a tree topper, tree stand and other Christmas tree decorations in your calculations, too.

How to Fluff a Christmas Tree

Fluffing an artificial Christmas tree means arranging and spreading the branches to make it look fuller and more natural. Here are a few tips:

Start at the bottom, working your way up to ensure each section is fluffed.
Separate branches by gently fulling each apart.
Adjust individual tips to point in different direction to convey a natural appearance.