The 7 Best Places to Buy Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023
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Deck the halls with one of these lifelike Christmas trees you can showcase for years to come
People / Joy Kim
While there’s nothing quite like a live Christmas tree, they require lots of maintenance that may not be worth it to some. Not only do they shed over time, but they also require regular watering and can make your pets sick if they chew on and ingest the needles. An artificial Christmas tree could be a good alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with buying a new tree every holiday season, only to have to dispose of it in the new year. Whether you want a more traditional, lifelike tree or lean on the whimsical side, we’ve rounded up some of the best brands on the market for artificial trees that will bring holiday cheer to your space.
Keep reading to shop PEOPLE’s picks of the best places to buy artificial Christmas trees in 2023.
Related: The Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Target
Who It’s Good For
Someone who wants lots of design and color options, as well as matching accessories that will tie the whole space together.
Who It’s Not Good For
Someone who wants to invest in a tree that will last for many seasons.
Who doesn’t love a Target run from time to time? And when they start setting out their holiday decorations, it’s even better. Their artificial Christmas trees are a great cost-effective option for anyone who’s not looking to break the bank and wants a wide variety of colors, sizes, and styles. Their in-house Wondershop brand offers cohesive accessories so your whole home can have coordinated, cozy cheer — including trees, garland, ornaments, toppers, and tree skirts.
With all this being said, because it’s so accessible and affordable, don’t expect incredible durability. However, there are some gems worth their price point like this Alaskan Fir (our Best Value pick) and, if whimsy is more your style, this slim Douglas Fir in pink (pictured below).
Size Range: 2’ - 12’ | Shape Options: Flat Back, Full, Slim, Spiral, Traditional | Shipping Policy: Free standard shipping
People / Joy Kim
Amazon
Who It’s Good For
Someone who has a specific vision in mind for what they want their tree to look like and needs a wide variety of options that they can pick and choose from.
Who It’s Not Good For
Someone who doesn’t like having too many options to choose from.
Some people have a creative vision in mind for what they want their tree to look like. If that’s you, Amazon is the perfect place for your holiday decor dreams to come true. Whether you want a pre-lit rainbow tree or even one that’s upside down, Amazon will have what you’re looking for. They also have a wide range of prices, which makes it ideal for all shoppers and budgets. And of course, if you’re a Prime member you can enjoy free and expedited shipping on your order.
If you’re someone who is looking for a simple and quick process of finding and buying a tree, you may feel overwhelmed by browsing all of Amazon’s options. The variety could make it difficult to make a purchase, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for and don’t want to deal with parsing through reviews. With all this being said, you can generally expect to find a tree that’s reasonably priced, decent quality, and the size and shape you’re looking for. Below, see our top pick for a white Christmas tree: this National Tree Co. 7-foot Tree.
Size Range: 2’ - 10’+ | Shape Options: Flat Back, Full, Slim, Spiral, Traditional | Shipping Policy: Varies depending on cost, delivery location, and desired shipping speed; free for Prime members
People / Joy Kim
Walmart
Who It’s Good For
Someone who wants a simple delivery/pick-up process and affordable prices.
Who It’s Not Good For
Someone who wants something that looks realistic or is durable in the long term.
Walmart is known for its convenience and affordability, and the same goes for its Christmas trees. If you’re working on a budget and want something simple, buying from them is the right way to go — this six-foot pre-lit tree is just $50 and, although not remarkably realistic, gets the job done by bringing festivity at a low price. One huge bonus about shopping at Walmart is that they offer both delivery and pick up depending on stock at your local store. You can either have it directly sent to your house or have it dropped in your trunk at your next grocery pick-up. While in-store pick-up is an option, there are even more styles and colors available online — whether you want a black, white, or blue tree, you’ll find something that has the aesthetic you’re looking for. However, because they’re affordable and convenient, you won’t find something that’s necessarily built to last. If you’re looking to make a long-term investment in something realistic, you may want to look at a brand like Balsam Hill.
Size Range: 2’ - 8’ | Shape Options: Conical, Corner, Full, Half, Pencil, Pyramid, Slim, Teardrop, Topiary, Triangular, Upside Down | Shipping Options: Varies depending on cost, delivery location, and desired shipping speed
People / Joy Kim
Balsam Hill
Who It’s Good For
Someone whose priority is a simple delivery and storage process.
Who It’s Not Good For
Someone looking for a cost-effective option.
Balsam Hill’s artificial Christmas trees are incredibly realistic, from the coloring to the needle shapes and textures. Picking the perfect artificial tree can be difficult, especially because it’s something you’ll be using for years to come. But if you find that you’re struggling with deciding, they offer a branch sampling kit. The kit includes samples of branches they use in their trees so you can get a feel for the size, shape, and shade of tree that’s perfect for you and your home.
One drawback of artificial trees is that they have to be stored for the majority of the year, and take up quite a bit of space. Most of the time we end up just stuffing it back in the cardboard box it came in, but a huge benefit of ordering from Balsam Hill is the fact that their trees come with storage bags so they’re easy to put away at the end of the holiday season. Their Christmas trees are ideal for anyone looking to make a long-term investment — they are pricey, but if you have a more flexible budget, they’re worth it. If this sounds like the right fit for you, we especially recommend their Fraser Fir Tree; it has a full, classic look that would warm up any space or the Vermont Spruce pictured below.
Size Range: 4.5’ - 30’ | Shape Options: Full, Slim, Sparse, Oversized, Flat Back | Shipping Policy: Free standard shipping within the U.S
People/Dera Burreson
Hobby Lobby
Who It’s Good For
Someone who wants a more whimsical or crafty style of tree.
Who It’s Not Good For
Someone who wants a tree that looks super realistic.
One thing we love about Hobby Lobby’s Christmas trees is that you’re getting exactly what you see online. Product images aren’t misleading, and they come in a wide variety of styles at very reasonable prices. Do you love the look of a flocked tree but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for the real thing? They have a Flocked Lansing Fir for under $30 which would be perfect in a smaller home or apartment. If you want something less conventional, this snowy pre-lit pine would be a perfect addition to an entryway, living room, or dining area. The wide range of options is ideal for crafty decorators who like to make a statement or have a specific vision in mind. Keep in mind, though, that their trees aren’t going to be very realistic.
Size Range: 3’ - 12’ | Shape Options: Ultra Slim, Standard | Shipping Policy: Varies depending on cost, delivery location, and desired shipping speed
Wayfair
Who It’s Good For
Someone who wants a simple, straightforward shipping process.
Who It’s Not Good For
Someone who may be overwhelmed by a wide variety of options.
While Wayfair does offer live Christmas trees, they also have a great selection of artificial trees in a variety of heights, shapes, and styles. It is, perhaps, the only brand we found that has both classic trees and more whimsical or unconventional ones. From this simple and classy pre-lit artificial fir to this slim turquoise tree, you’ll certainly find whatever you’re looking for. What we appreciate most about Wayfair is its convenience. Not only do you get free shipping for orders over $35, but the delivery process is generally quick and straightforward – we received our tree within a week after ordering. Aside from the wide variety and breezy ordering and delivery process, they also have lots of other decor options that match their tree options, like wreaths and garlands. If you’d rather be presented with a few plain options or you’re not interested in doing some browsing, you may be overwhelmed by the shopping experience.
Size Range: 4’ - 20’ | Shape Options: Full, Extra Full, Slender, Upside Down, Spiral, Half, Corner | Shipping Policy: Free shipping over $35
Michaels
Who It’s Good For
Someone who wants less traditional options at reasonable prices.
Who It’s Not Good For
Someone who wants simple, classic, and more realistic artificial trees.
Michaels is the epicenter for all things fun and crafty, so it makes sense that their Christmas tree selection would be chock-full of options for those who want a more artsy or non-traditional look. From pre-lit palm trees to a patriotic fiber-optic fir, you’ll be able to find fun and playful options that will put a unique spin on the most wonderful time of the year. And while there are some pricier ones, you can find reasonably priced options as well. With this being said, you won’t find remarkably realistic trees or very many classic options. If you’re looking to invest in a more timeless tree that will look and feel real for many seasons to come, then it’s probably better for you to look at Balsam Hill or Wayfair.
Size Range: 2’ - 7’ | Shape Options: Full, Slim, Pencil, Medium, Tabletop | Shipping Policy: Free shipping over $49
People / Joy Kim
How to Pick the Right Place to Buy an Artificial Christmas Tree
Size and Layout of Your Space
We asked Liz Toombs, certified interior decorator and owner/president of PDR Interiors, what you should keep in mind when picking your next tree. One thing she recommends, aside from thinking about the size and shape of the tree that you like, is understanding the layout of your space to make sure it will adequately fit. The first step to this is measuring the room where you want to place your tree, from floor to ceiling. “Ideally, your tree should have a few inches of space between the top of the tree and the ceiling. This allows for a tree topper and provides a balanced look. Don’t forget to account for the height of your tree stand as well,” Toombs says.
Ease of Assembly and Storage
While artificial trees are great because they don't shed as much as real trees and can be enjoyed year-round with less maintenance, they do have to be stored for the majority of the year. If you have a small home or are tight on storage, figuring out where to put your tree can be a daunting task. This is why it’s important to pick a tree that’s collapsable, compact, and easy to store. If this is a priority for you, you’ll appreciate that Balsam Hill trees come with a storage bag so you don’t have to stuff them back into a flimsy cardboard box. Also, the less full your tree is, the less space it will take up when you do take it down and fold it up, so opting for a slimmer tree is a safe bet for space-saving efforts.
Material
The right material for you largely depends on what aesthetic you’re trying to achieve, and what features matter the most to you. “PVC [polyvinyl chloride] is a popular material for artificial trees. It is durable, lightweight, and affordable. PVC trees often look realistic and come in various shapes and sizes,” Toombs says. “But some cheaper PVC trees might look less natural and can have a potent smell of plastic.” Another common material for artificial trees is tinsel, which Toombs says “are retro-style and made from metallic tinsel or aluminum branches, which creates a shiny and reflective appearance. However, they might not look as natural as PVC trees and often can be seen as kitschy.” If you want something more realistic, you should consider a PE (polyethylene) tree. Because they are more high quality and lifelike, they are significantly more expensive than PVC or tinsel, so you can plan on making more of an investment if you go this route.
People / Joy Kim
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PVC and PE artificial Christmas tree branches?
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PE (polyethylene) artificial trees are some of the most popular on the market. While PVC needles are flat, flimsy, and inevitably less full, PE needles have more dimension and therefore look more lifelike. PE trees are significantly more expensive because of their quality. PVC is a good option if you want something cheaper, lightweight, and easier to store.
How do I choose an artificial Christmas tree with the right needle density?
Needle density is essentially the number of fascicles, or needles, per shoot length. The higher the needle density, the fuller – and more realistic – your tree looks. PVC trees are going to be a cheaper option but will have a lower needle density, and will therefore look less full. PE trees are more textured, multidimensional, and have a higher needle density. If you have a bigger space, you can get away with a fuller tree, so a higher needle density would be the best choice. If you are picking a tree for a smaller room, something on the sparser side will probably fit better.
What size and shape of artificial Christmas tree should I buy?
Picking the right size and shape of a Christmas tree for your space will ensure that it looks aesthetically pleasing. When it comes to shape, a tree that is too large can overwhelm a small room, while a tiny tree might get lost in a large space. You want to make sure it’s taking up adequate space with its width — while a slim tree is ideal for smaller rooms, a full tree would be a better pick for a larger room since there’s more space to fill. Aside from the height of the room you want to put the tree in, you should also take into account your personal preferences. For example, if you like to display lots of ornaments, a sparser tree would make it easier to fit more decorations.
People / Joy Kim
Take Our Word For It
This roundup was written by Olivia Avitt, a freelance writer for PEOPLE who specializes in thorough, honest product reviews. When writing this roundup, she carefully reviewed the reviews of the seven brands included and put together the need-to-know details you see here that will help you choose the right brand of tree. She also consulted interior decorator Liz Toombs who shared tips and tricks on how to pick the perfect Christmas tree that will add all the holiday cheer to your space.
Meet Our Expert
Liz Toombs is a certified interior decorator and the owner/president of PDR Interiors.
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