Since the 7th century AD, people have considered the decoration of trees an integral part of the festivities surrounding Christmas.  Hawthorns and cherry trees were the first to be decorated, but as the tradition gained favor, people came to realize the extraordinary beauty of a decorated Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir, or white pine.

But with the introduction of the Christmas tree in the modern home, along came the downsides.  Many consumers, especially those with allergy and asthma sensitivities, suffered adverse effects from live trees. With the heat generated by the lights with which we decorate our trees, and the candles that are so prevalent during this celebratory season, natural trees tended to dry out, thus creating potential fire hazards.  Not to mention the ubiquitously lit fireplaces where stockings were hung by the chimney with care!  So people began to look for alternatives that would still provide the beauty whilst eliminating the dangers.  The solution would be in artificial trees, which come in a vast array of choices, including the traditional live trees mentioned above.

The very first artificial Christmas tree has been attributed to an eco-aware German who was concerned with deforestation in the 19th century.  He created a tabletop model out of dyed goose feathers and decorated with miniature ornaments.  Luckily for the geese, more modern versions of the artificial Christmas tree were created by brush manufacturers who dyed plastic bristles and then situated them into poles.  While this mode of construction is no longer used, one still finds models which consist of a stand, into which is inserted a sturdy pole with pre-drilled holes, into which “branches” are inserted. Each row of branches is a different size, and color-coded at the base for ease of assembly. 

In 1958, the aluminum tree was introduced in the U.S.  They generally were not green in color, but rather silver.  As they were not yet flame-retardant, a rotating wheel of red, green, blue and yellow provided a color palette that was constantly changing.  We see this trend reflected in the contemporary LED trees, which are artificial Christmas trees with the lights built directly into the tree; they came into vogue in the late 1990s.  The tree stand houses the electrics, and is not only fire-retardant, but because the LEDs produce more light per watt than traditional bulbs, and can last up to 30 times as long, they are a welcome energy-saving choice.  Fiber optic trees employ the concept of the color wheels of the 1950s, softly shimmering multi-colored lights throughout the night.

If the classic style Christmas tree is, well, not your style, you may find artificial trees that come pre-flocked, in champagne gold, tuxedo black (elegant and sophisticated, it is suitable for any formal occasion), or even upside down.  The latter gained popularity in 2005, initially designed so that customers could get closer to the ornaments being sold and displayed on them.  Retailers also claimed that they rapidly reached a special market as they allowed larger presents to be placed beneath the trees. 

Perhaps one of the most utile recent versions of the artificial Christmas tree is the corner, or slim-shaped tree for those with limited space.  They also come pre-lit or ready for your own personal lighting and decorating touch.  Which brings us to a theme for our new artificial tree.  Consider an all white theme, with touches of silver.  It will bring the snowy outdoors inside, even for those who live in temperate climes.  The entire color spectrum lends itself to experimentation; just coordinate your ornaments, lights, and special unique touches to a harmonious color scheme. 

Traditionalists are in the position of enjoying a beautiful fir or Scotch pine without the hassle of bundling up and going outside every year, to either cut down your own tree from a tree farm, or take the necessary time to carefully select one from a nursery.  Unfortunately, that perfect choice that didn’t release a single needle when you shook it before making your selection will very quickly dry out in the home environment, leaving you with the tedious task of tending to the shedding needles.  And if you enjoy having the tree throughout the entire holiday season, you run a risk of fire.  But with an artificial tree, you may choose to have either a tabletop size or one 15 feet or even higher!  And whether you choose to buy a pre-lit one, or to completely decorate the tree yourself, keeping your tree up as long as you wish presents no hazards.  While the initial price may give you momentary pause, remember that today’s artificial trees have a lifespan of a decade; compare that to the cost of purchasing a cut tree year after year.

Here at Nicholson-Hardie, we have an amazing selection of artificial trees available.  Why not make this year the one when you decide to take the work out of and put the safety into one of the most unforgettable aspects of the holiday season.  Instead, let visions of sugarplums dance, and set your home aglow with the lights on an artificial Christmas tree.  Happy Holidays!