Christmas decorations have evolved over the years, but no matter what you’re subtracting or adding this year, we can all be in agreement that for a home to really feel like Christmas, a tree is non-negotiable.
Deck the halls with a forest full of holly, and hang a wreath on every door (including the cat flap), but without the decorative centrepiece that is a Christmas tree, your winter wonderland theme will likely feel a little off. And besides, without one, where will all your favourite baubles and tinsel go?
We may still be months away from the big day, but it’s never too early to get yourself organised to ensure that the most wonderful time of the year lives up to its headline billing.
The benefits of an artificial tree
While real evergreens give that sought-after Christmassy scent, getting one home and maintaining it can be a headache - especially if you haven’t got much time on your hands. They need repurchasing every December, and even if you opt for home delivery, the needle shedding means vacuuming more than usual. Then there’s the question of disposing of them come January. Christmas comedown is real, and nothing kills festive cheer like the sight of tree carcasses in the street. Unless you’ve signed up for a service that promises to replant your tree after the big event, it risks feeling like a wasteful exercise.
An artificial one, on the other hand, is an investment that you can enjoy every year without forking out every December. Sure, you won’t get the forest-fresh scent, but it’s nothing a few festive candles won’t fix, and they’re a more appealing prospect for allergy sufferers too. Pet owners and new parents will also be pleased about the lack of sharp needles all over the floor.
Today’s faux trees have come on leaps and bounds from the plastic pretenders of the past. As well as plain artificial evergreens, you can find models with lights already embedded within the realistic-looking branches and needles which means no more unwinding tangled lights or spending unnecessary cash on new ones.
We can only picture the sheer joy on Martin Luther’s face - the first to style his fir tree with lit candles back in 16th century Germany - if he’d seen a pre-lit Christmas tree in all its glory today.
Artificial trees are available in a host of styles, shapes and colours to suit every budget, from ceiling-scrapers to hog the living room spotlight and corner ones that give the impression of full trees even in the tightest of spaces, to rave-worthy neon designs to bring a twist to your celebrations.
Find the best artificial trees to buy now below
Best beauty advent calendars of 2023: Which to buy and what products are included
Best alternative advent calendars for Christmas 2023: Non-chocolate pressies for adults
Best brands doing same day delivery
Best plant delivery services UK: Get plants fast by ordering online from these sites
Best stain resistant rugs that really tie the room together
When is Black Friday 2023? Sale date and the deals to expect
Cox & Cox Dusky Pine Pre-Lit Christmas Tree
There’s no missing this incredible tree, which comes with integrated LED lights along the branches for a uniform look. Available in 6ft, 7ft and 8ft sizes, the needles sport a faintly frosted look that guarantees a winter wonderland feel whether it snows this December or not. The lighting modes switch between 11 types so you’ll find one to fit the mood and there are matching accessories like a wreath and garland for Christmassing up the rest of your space.
Buy now £395.00, Cox & Cox
John Lewis Belgravia Pre-lit Christmas Tree, 7ft
Set on a stand and in a classic conical shape, you’d have to touch this tree to know it’s not the real thing. The rich emerald green is an ideal base for traditional Christmas decorations and there are 500 LEDs to bring a festive sparkle to any room or hallway. It does stretch to 7ft tall, so ensure you have plenty of headroom - especially for the topper - to enjoy it to the fullest effect.
Buy now £379.00, John Lewis
Cox & Cox Ultimate Lights Pre-Lit Christmas Tree
If you want to recreate a show-stopping look, it all starts with the tree, and this pre-lit hyper-realistic version is an ideal foundation. There are eight light settings to fit your mood, whether you’re after a gentle twinkle or straight-up static to impress guests. With uniformly placed LED bulbs (5400 of them, to be precise), you can say goodbye to stringing it all yourself and skip straight to the good part - adding on your favourite baubles.
Buy now £595.00, Cox & Cox
John Lewis Cashmere Pre-lit Christmas Tree, 7ft
Packed with cashmere fibres, this full, fluffy tree offers the perfect starting point for Yuletide decorations. The 500 lights offer a pure white light which makes them easy to pair with any look you have in mind.
The pre-lit tree requires plugging into the mains, but if you’re worried about electricity bills or don’t want to have to rustle around for the switch every evening, consider adding a timer to turn the illuminations on when you want them. For indoor use only.
Buy now £329.00, John Lewis
Hayes Garden World 7.5ft Pre-lit Lawrence Fir Feel Real Artificial Christmas Tree
If you're lucky enough to have high ceilings, it's time to go to town by installing a 7.5ft tree to bring the Christmas spirit home.
Hayes Garden World has dozens of beautifully tall trees ready to steal the spotlight this festive season, but for ultimate convenience we recommend a pre-lit design to save you from wrestling with fairy light wires.
This Lawrence design has the look of a true fir and is finished with no less than 800 long-lasting warm LEDs for a welcoming twinkle, no matter which room you put it in. Just add your ornaments, grab a chair to help you pop on the tree topper and stand back to bask in its lovely glory.
Comes with a five-year guarantee.
Buy now £499.00, Hayes Garden World
The Seasonal Aisle 3 Piece Green Pine Christmas Trees with 20 Clear/White Light Set and Stand
Buy now £60.99, Wayfair
WeRChristmas Pre-Lit Ombre Christmas Tree
Buy now £90.00, Amazon
VEYLIN 6ft Christmas Tree 700 Tips Artificial Tree
Buy now £32.99, Amazon
The Pre-lit Ultra Devonshire Half Tree Warm White Lights
If you only have a corner to install a tree, it can feel pointless to buy a tree as one side of it will be blocked out of sight. Half trees may look odd straight out of the box but are an ingenious solution when backed against a wall or corner.
This version from specialist Christmas Tree World comes with warm white lights embedded within, so no awkward stringing for you. You can get it from 4ft to 7ft, so it should fit a range of spaces. A sound investment for Christmases to come.
There’s an entire forest of trees to be found at Christmas Tree World, from slim and snow-covered designs to pleasingly realistic bushy ones in a range of heights.
Buy now £59.99, Christmas Tree World
HOMCOM 5FT Pink Artificial Christmas Tree
Buy now £34.99, Amazon
Habitat 6ft Half Parasol Christmas Tree - Green
Buy now £55.00, Argos
Natural Wood Company Alternative Oak Christmas Tree
Buy now £99.00, NOTHS
