Christmas - Artificial Christmas Tree History and Fun Facts

It's not popularly known that artificial Christmas trees actually started in the Middle Ages in Germany.It wasn't until the 19th and 20th centuries that they became popular in other countries with the invention of new and imaginative trees coming into being.It started with feathers then animal bristles, aluminum, plastic then optic fibers.Discover the six stages in the evolution of the artificial Christmas tree..1.Lightstock - the Poor Man's Christmas Tree! In the Middle Ages woodcarvers in Germany fashioned the first lightstock.A pyramid-shaped stand made from 2-5 wooden rods and 3 shelves holding candles and Christmas related figurines.Sometime later they attached a pinwheel to the top of the central rod.As the heat from the candles rose it would rotate the pinwheel and the shelves making a delightful display.Small lightstocks were soon seen to be placed beside Christmas trees.However many poor woodcarvers could not afford trees and thus the lightstock came to be known as the poor man's Christmas tree.Lightstocks or pyramids as they are also now known, are a tradition in Dresden, Germany that continues to this day.2.First Artificial Trees made of Green Goose Feathers! Originating in Germany in the 1880's, green dyed goose feather trees are considered to be the first artificial Christmas tree in the modern world.The reason for the creation of feather trees, made with wire branches, was because the Germans were concerned regarding deforestation associated with the harvest of trees.So the artificial trees become popular in the USA early in the 20th century.Branches were widely spaced so that candles on trees (which was popular before the electric lights were created) had enough space so not to create a fire.Fires were a big problem with early trees with candles placed on them.Often artificial red berries were placed throughout the feathered branches, which acted as candle holders.Tree sizes varied from 2 inches to 98 inches in department stores.Today many of these trees are now valuable antique collectibles.3.Christmas Trees made from Animal Hair - Brush Bristle The first artificial tree made from animal hair bristles was made in 1930 in the USA.The bristles were dyed green and these trees became popular not just in the USA but in Britain too.They soon replaced the feather trees as these trees were not as flammable and could hold heavier ornaments.4.Aluminium Christmas Trees In the USA in 1958 the first aluminium trees were created.They became very popular right up to the 1970's.There was a negative portrayal of these trees in 1965 when 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' aired for the first time, which is believed to be credited with their decline in sales.5.Plastic Christmas Trees Mostly made from PVC plastic, they are fire-retardant but not fire-resistant and most of these trees are made in China.The PVC used can be a potential source of hazardous lead - labels need to be read carefully.The Addis Brush Company (who made toilet bowl brushes) made the first fake plastic Christmas trees.Some say the first plastic trees were giant green toilet brushes!6.Fiber Optic Cable Christmas Trees These are a new designer breed of Christmas tree.Optic fiber trees are made from a flexible, transparent fiber made from glass (silica) shaped into various size strands the size of human hair.These fibers transmit light between the two ends of the fiber creating a magical array of white or colored light.Some optic fiber trees resemble a traditional Christmas tree while others appear completely in light.

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Artificial Christmas Tree 7.5' Prelit Bayberry Indoor Christmas Tree - White Lights By Collections Etc For Sale Online

artificial christmas tree See 7.5' Prelit Bayberry Indoor Christmas Tree - White Lights By Collections Etc Details

List Price : $184.99 Price : $129.97
as of 2012-09-21 08:04 AM

Product Description

Year after year, this beautiful tree makes the perfect backdrop for all your precious holiday ornaments. It s pre-lit with 600 white lights, so it makes putting up a tree effortless! Plastic. Assembly required. Indoor use only. 4' 7" Dia. x 7.5' H. This item is not eligible for Expedited Shipping and only Ships within the 48 contiguous states.

Artificial Christmas Trees - A Guide

This article was written with the intention of helping the reader develop knowledge on Artificial Christmas trees.It's worth mentioning early that modern artificial trees can last upwards of ten years, if looked after in the correct way; so it is well worth reading on to find out what type of Artificial Christmas trees are available, the differences between the trees that can be bought, what they are constructed of and the advantages and disadvantages and a few other hints and tips.We will start with the two main materials that Artificial Christmas trees are produced from.The most common is PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride) also known as vinyl and the other is PE (Polyethylene), which is rapidly growing in popularity.What is PVC? This is an everyday plastic also commonly known as vinyl.It is a lightweight and durable synthetic polymer material (or resin), formed by combining ethylene derived from petroleum, natural gas, or coal and chlorine.This plastic can be found in products ranging from milk cartons to vehicle parts.When a tree is produced from PVC the result is and attractive, but generally unrealistic looking tree when compared to the more expensive PE version.So what does a PE tree consist of? PE artificial trees are made with very high quality plastic named Polyethylene.The tree is created and modelled from actual real Christmas tree branches.These real tree branches are used as forms to create the mould, Polyethylene is then injected directly into this mould and this helps to create a very realistic artificial Christmas tree.These trees need little of no shaping when erecting at Christmas time, they are ultra realistic, long lasting and stunningly beautiful - the next best thing to a real Christmas tree.In general there are two ways Christmas tree manufacturers attach the branches of the trees to the central trunk of the Artificial Christmas tree; hooked and hinged.The hooked method is where you are required to attach or 'hook in' each branch into a bracket that is attached to the artificial Christmas trees trunk each time you affect the tree.Usually these branches are colour coded for ease of construction, so you know in which order you are required to erect the tree.The hook in method usually takes longer to set up and can sometime be frustrating if the colour coded tag is lost.Also with this method as the tree grows older the hook can become bent or misshaped leading to an uneven tree.The hinged method is the quickest and easiest to assemble of the two methods.This greatly speeds up the construction of the tree each year, and lessens the stress.The branches are permanently attached to the central trunk, with you guessed it, hinges.When you take the tree out of the box the branches simply fold down into the correct position, a bit of fluffing out of the branches and you're done.And when storing the tree you simply fold them back up and store away in the box.So know you have an idea of what material the tree you buy will consist of and how the branches will be hung on this tree, the next thing to consider is the stand.We would recommend using a solid metal stand only.When you consider that a fully decorated tree can weigh twice as much as the tree you take out of the box, then you can see a solid stand is the only way to go.Most quality Artificial PE trees come complete with a metal stand, so you may want to consider this when weighing up the cost.Look out for our next article where we will talk about the style of artificial trees on the market, the colours and the suitability for the home.

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An Artificial Christmas Tree is a Great Way to Keep the Mess to a Minimum This Year at Christmas

Christmas is always a fun and festive time of year but it can be a real pain in the neck when you end up clearing up Christmas tree needles for about two years afterwards.Buying an artificial Christmas tree can really help with this and there are a lot of very stylish designs available on today's market.In fact, a lot of the artificial trees offer a much more festive feel because they're usually perfect is size, shape and decor!You can find a huge range of options on the web these days and when it comes to buying Christmas decorations, it's probably your best bet to buy online.There's so much available that you will have a job to choose what you like best.The prices online are also very competitive which means you'll probably get more for your money.Just be sure to do some research if you're going to buy online and remember to allocate a budget for your shipping costs.Some online stores will offer free shipping but to get delivery for Christmas, you should start thinking about your orders now.Finding what you need shouldn't be a problem but getting a good deal will take some time.It's a good idea to set aside some time so that you can concentrate on finding a good deal.Perhaps set aside an hour or two this weekend and think about what it is that you want for Christmas.Have a good look around on the web and make sure that you can find a range of products to compare before you buy anything.Christmas decorations are widely available today and you should find that buying an artificial Christmas tree is actually quite easy.There are various shapes, sizes and even colours to choose from; you don't have to have a green one if you don't want to be traditional.There's literally something for everyone these days!Overall, buying an artificial Christmas tree is really easy when you shop online.It's a great way to ensure that you still have a super festive Christmas, without the mess of needles dropping all over the place.Make sure that you do some research before you buy though.

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Artificial Christmas Tree Cheapest Vickerman 18698 - 7.5' X 34" Red Pencil 400 Red Lights Christmas Tree (B103376) Online

artificial christmas tree See Vickerman 18698 - 7.5' x 34" Red Pencil 400 Red Lights Christmas Tree (B103376) Details

List Price : $194.88 Price : $165.09
as of 2012-09-13 11:54 AM

Product Description

7.5' x 34" Red Prelit Pencil 803 Tips 400 Red Miniature Lights Metal Base Vickerman Christmas Tree

• Color/Finish: Red

An Artificial Christmas Tree is a Great Way to Keep the Mess to a Minimum This Year at Christmas

Christmas is always a fun and festive time of year but it can be a real pain in the neck when you end up clearing up Christmas tree needles for about two years afterwards.Buying an artificial Christmas tree can really help with this and there are a lot of very stylish designs available on today's market.In fact, a lot of the artificial trees offer a much more festive feel because they're usually perfect is size, shape and decor!You can find a huge range of options on the web these days and when it comes to buying Christmas decorations, it's probably your best bet to buy online.There's so much available that you will have a job to choose what you like best.The prices online are also very competitive which means you'll probably get more for your money.Just be sure to do some research if you're going to buy online and remember to allocate a budget for your shipping costs.Some online stores will offer free shipping but to get delivery for Christmas, you should start thinking about your orders now.Finding what you need shouldn't be a problem but getting a good deal will take some time.It's a good idea to set aside some time so that you can concentrate on finding a good deal.Perhaps set aside an hour or two this weekend and think about what it is that you want for Christmas.Have a good look around on the web and make sure that you can find a range of products to compare before you buy anything.Christmas decorations are widely available today and you should find that buying an artificial Christmas tree is actually quite easy.There are various shapes, sizes and even colours to choose from; you don't have to have a green one if you don't want to be traditional.There's literally something for everyone these days!Overall, buying an artificial Christmas tree is really easy when you shop online.It's a great way to ensure that you still have a super festive Christmas, without the mess of needles dropping all over the place.Make sure that you do some research before you buy though.

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The Time to Buy a Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree has been the central focus of the Christmas season for centuries.In today's modern world it still remains the pinnacle of our wishes and hopes for a healthy and prosperous year to come.The Christmas Tree delights young and old and reminds us of how beautiful a season Christmas really is in our lives.The ceremony of putting up the Christmas Tree has both been the source of frustrated and disappointed consumers as they attempt to put up the lights.For this reason the Pre-Lit Artificial Tree is a time and money saver as well as a delightful addition to any home dcor.As you visit your friends or family you will notice each household has a distinct look to the Christmas tree, its lights, the decorations chosen, and as well as the size and shape of the Christmas Tree.The beauty of a Pre-Lit Artificial Tree is that the lights are uniformly distributed throughout the branches of the artificial Christmas Tree on the market.This is done at the factory under a symmetrical guideline so the work is all done for you.All you basically do is to plug the tree in after quickly assembling this Artificial Christmas Tree.What took hours or a day to do in the past in stringing lights on the tree will take less than one half an hour to start enjoying the Christmas tree all lit up and ready to go.This makes adding decorations if that is your choice much easier and faster for the complete look to be completed.The other option is ordering your holiday tree fully decorated and fully lit up with all the lights.Again this is accomplished at the factory and also with great symmetry by professional decorators adding to your Christmas enjoyment and ease.This type of tree is an easy care product with no watering, no shedding of needles, no mess, no falling over and especially no mold and pollen for those with allergies to evergreen Trees.The Artificial Pre-Lit Christmas trees are made stronger to carry the weight of lights and ornamental decorations and are held more securely in stands that real Christmas Trees.The Artificial Christmas trees of today come to your door in a secure box or even a storage bag that you can order directly from the manufacture which will store your tree away from dust or allergens during the year.For this reason they are considered highly environmentally friendly for those with allergies or asthma in your family and much easier to maintain.The lights are installed into the branches and wired to join with each level of the tree from top to bottom which creates a more uniform and professional look to the whole design of the tree.Lets face it not too many people know how to do this effectively and have a seamless look to the lighting effect of a well decorated tree.There are no extension cord requirements and strands of lights that supposedly plug into each other.A Pre-assembled Christmas Tree is the simple way to light the tree quickly and without the frustration.Year after year we try to unravel that ball of lights from the year before as it is all wrapped up into a mess which takes forever to unravel to even start stringing them on the tree.One bulb burns out and the whole strand has to be thrown out, which costs money and contributes to land fill which is such as waste.A good size tree of any height can be assembled in literally minutes for the average household that saves hours of time and effort.The branches can be shaped into a corner if space is a problem as they are flexible and come in various widths to fit any space in your home.Each branch of the tree comes color coded so they match into the perspective position which has all been pre-determined and engineered for the overall effect of a well proportioned tree and this is done by professionals.All the reasons to buy this type of seasonal decoration are very clear and the real environmental concerns of cutting down healthy lively trees is just one more reason to purchase a Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas tree this year.

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Artificial Christmas Tree Pre-Lit Pull-Up Christmas Tree, Clear Cheap

artificial christmas tree See Pre-Lit Pull-Up Christmas Tree, Clear Details

List Price : Price : $129.99
as of 2012-09-06 01:29 AM

Product Description

Electric Pre-Lit Pull-Up Christmas Tree. This charming electric pre-lit pull-up tree is easy to store and even easier to set up. The collapsible artificial Christmas tree stores flat for easy storage and accessibility, then rises up instantly to adorn your home with its spectacularly bright ligh

• Collapses flat for easy storage.
• Multi-toned branches for added visual appeal.
• Tree is 6 feet tall with a 36-inch diameter.
• Pre-lit with 400 lights
• Weather-proofed for use either indoors or outside.

Artificial Christmas Trees and Wreaths - Are You Faking it Or Keeping it Real For Christmas?

As Christmas approaches, people start to think about decorating their homes to create that cozy, festive feeling that puts everyone in a good mood.One of the age old dilemmas that a home Christmas decorator will face is whether to keep it real or fake it.Yes, you guessed it, this article is going to discuss the merits of having an artificial Christmas tree compared to a fresh one.It will throw in the idea of going with an artificial wreath as opposed to a live one as a little stocking filler too.I think most people would agree that in theory it is great to have a natural Christmas tree over the holiday season.It has a color and smell that is truly unique and will stick with you for the rest of your life if you are brought up on a natural Christmas tree.It is probably a more environmentally friendlier option provided the trees come from a renewable and sustainable source.However, despite the theory, it is not always practical to have a live tree.Here are some reasons why.Some people may not like the smell of the resin that comes from a natural tree.In fact some people may even be allergic to the smell.A natural tree is often not a practical size for a small apartment.A natural Christmas tree needs to be cared for and will die over the holiday season.This may mean that leaves or fir needles may be dropped on the floor around it.So basically it needs a bit of care and maintenance to get the most of out it.Not much, but a little.A natural tree will require decoration.This is often a big part of Christmas.Kids love to decorate the tree and it can be a real family affair.However some people don't really like this.It's simply a chore.Bah humbug !Naturally, artificial Christmas trees address all these issues and were expressly designed with these problems in mind.Artificial trees are not alive (or formerly alive!).Heck, they are not even like a Tamogochi, they require absolutely no care whatsoever.They can come in all shapes and sizes that are ideal for small rooms or even huge banquet halls.They don't give off any strange smells.They don't molt all over your just vacuumed carpet.What's more, they last.One artificial Christmas tree can last you years.Artificial trees also come ready to go.They can be pre-decorated on a certain theme.Fiber optic and LED Christmas trees even have their own light shows.In short, they are convenient and cheaper in the long run.

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