Remember in Christmas Vacation when Clark Griswold presents “the Griswold family Christmas tree?” He cuts the tightly wrapped rope and his tree practically springs to life, knocking over a nearby lamp and bursting through several windows. While this is greatly exaggerated for comedic effect, it is actually a perfect example of what not to do when picking out your Christmas tree.
Whether you are looking to decorate your home or just want to add a festive touch to your business this holiday season, finding the perfect Christmas tree is everything. Choosing the right size, shape, and style tree for your space is a critical decision that greatly impacts your enjoyment. Here are a few Christmas decor tips to help you choose the best tree for your space.
Know Your Dimensions
Measuring your space is the first vital step towards selecting the perfect tree. We recommend a tape measure for best results, but if you don't have one handy you can use your feet as a guide. Put one foot in front of the other with your heel of one foot touching the toes of your other then repeat this process to "walk the space". The average men's shoe is 10 and the average women's shoe is 8.5. Multiply the number of "feet" by your shoe size to get approximate dimensions of your space. Unfortunately, this method is a little difficult to use for measuring height and we recommend taking your shoes off before putting your feet on the wall!
Choose A Height
In order for your tree to “look right,” you'll need at least 18" between the tip of the tree and your ceiling. In New York City, the minimum height requirement for a living space is 8' which means that the best tree for a minimum height ceiling is 6.5'. This will give you sufficient room for your tree topper without hitting the ceiling, although an increasing number of people are opting for no tree topper at all. If you prefer the au natural look, you can add 6” - 12” to your tree height, but you still want to leave some free space at the top of your tree. Stores and restaurants will often have much higher ceilings so unless you know the ceiling height for sure, always measure first.
Choose A Width
Artificial trees traditionally come in 4 widths: full, medium, slim, and pencil slim. While you may love a full width tree, the space may not be right for one. Be sure to evaluate the room and decide what will look best in the area you have. You certainly don’t want your tree to appear crowded or crammed into a small area. Also, remember that some decorating elements, such as sprigs, sprays, and picks, will stick out from your tree so you will want to leave extra space around it.
Here are the measurements of each width Christmas tree, to help pick what is right for you.
The diameter of a full width Christmas tree is typically 1.5 times less than its height. For example, a 7.5' tree should have a diameter of 5' for it to be considered full width. (7.5 divided by 1.5 = 5).
The diameter of a medium width Christmas tree is typically 1.5 to 2 times less than its height. For example, a 7.5' tree would have a diameter range of 3.75' to 5'.
The diameter of a slim Christmas tree is at least 2 times less than its height. That means that the diameter of a 7.5' slim tree would be a maximum of 3.75'.
The diameter of a pencil slim Christmas tree would be no less than 2.5 times less than its height. A 7.5' pencil slim tree would have a diameter of no more than 3'.
Choose Your Profile
While they all can look quite different, there are only two typical profiles for artificial Christmas trees: Conical and Staggered. The profile of the tree greatly affects the overall look of it and should always be taken into account when choosing your decoration style.
Conical Christmas trees are just that - shaped to look like a cone. This traditional profile possesses uniform branches and looks full and formal.
Staggered Christmas trees possess tiers of branches with varied lengths and spacing for a much more natural look than their conical counterparts.
Pick A Color
Christmas trees come in a wide variety of colors. Traditional trees are green or flocked, which are green trees that have frosted tips to give the appearance of fresh snow. True flocked trees don’t use the fake snow-in-a-can, but are factory made this way for extra durability and realism. White Christmas Trees are also increasingly popular, especially with more modern designs, but you can request a tree in nearly any color of the rainbow. In fact, you can even get a rainbow tree if you’d like.
Learn The Different Artificial Needle Types
Artificial Christmas tree needles are made from extruded polyvinyl chloride (PVC), molded poly-ethylene (PE), or a combination of the two types. PE offers a more realistic look but is typically more expensive. Some trees contain both PE and PVC needles, with PE needles placed in the more conspicuous spots on the tree, typically towards the end of the branch tip. Many of the artificial Christmas trees offered by Rent-A-Christmas either possess a combination of needles or feature all PE needles for the most realistic look.
Christmas Tree Lights & Ornaments
Christmas tree lights have come a long way since they were first displayed in Thomas Edison’s Laboratory window. For every Christmas tree style, you can choose between multi-color lights or warm white lights. However, many trees now offer color-changing lights that allow you to swap between the two with the click of a button.
While the choice of lights is fairly simple, especially with a color-switching light option, ornament combinations can provide endless possibilities. We offer a wide range of pre-designed ornament packages, including themed selections and trending looks, but we can also completely customize any ornament configuration.
For help picking the right Christmas tree design for you, here are 5 Steps To Find Your Perfect Christmas Tree Style.
Don’t Be Like Clark Griswold
If it won’t fit in your backyard, it certainly doesn’t belong in your living room. Always remember to measure your space and take into account the surrounding area where the Christmas tree will be placed. Think about the profile, color, and the eventual décor that will be placed on and around it before making a final Christmas tree decision.
With these tips you are now armed with the proper holiday knowledge to make the best possible decision for your Christmas decorating needs.
Transform your home or business into a winter wonderland with Rent-A-Christmas