Upside Down Christmas Tree - Features, Benefits, and Options of This Holiday Decor

Christmas traditions are different for many families.And although there are different traditions we celebrate as families such as what we have for Christmas dinner or the types of favorite cookies we bake, many families celebrate the holiday season with a Christmas tree.Our traditions might include selecting a tree, stringing it with lights, and decorating it with special and meaningful decorations.Some families decorate their trees the day after Thanksgiving and others wait until Christmas Eve to dress the tree with lights and family decorations.One tradition that is quickly becoming popular is that of having an Upside Down Christmas tree.Although considered a new idea among holiday decorating ideas, this type of holiday tree actually has its origins in ancient tradition.During the Middle Ages, people were known to hang their trees upside down to signify the Holy Trinity.For other unique Christmas tree choices see the link at the end of this article.Features and Benefits.Today there are several benefits to this type of tree that private homes and retailers both enjoy.The first is that an upside down tree offers a more spectacular canvas to showcase ornaments.Ornaments hang in full view and are not obstructed by branches.Retailers find this useful as well as the fact that hanging a tree upside down creates more floor space.Having more room for gifts and presents is an added benefit enjoyed by all!A second feature of having an Upside Down Christmas tree is that it can be child and pet safe.Hanging the tree from a ceiling bracket, or mounting it to a corner prevents little fingers, toes, and paws from heat.Taking the tree off the floor also prevents accidents with breaking ornaments.

More detail about Artificial Christmas Tree Prelit

Artificial Christmas Tree Prelit Discounted GKI Bethlehem 6.5' Hunter Fir Prelit Christmas Tree

artificial christmas tree prelit See GKI Bethlehem 6.5' Hunter Fir Prelit Christmas Tree Details

List Price : $549.99 Price : $449.99
as of 2012-09-23 09:53 AM

Product Description

This 6.5' Christmas tree by GKI Bethlehem features 3604 branch tips made of hardy PE/PVC needles and 700 clear mini UL listed incandescent lights. The tree measures 59" in diameter at the base. The traditional Hunter Fir collection has dramatic downswept PE/PVC branches and is sprinkled with life-like burr cones. ===Product Specifications:=== *Series: Hunter *Tree Height (Feet): 6.5 *Tree Width (Feet): 4.9 *Tree Weight (Lbs): 40 *Light Colors: Clear *No. of Lights: 600 Clear Incandescent Lights *Installation Location: Indoor *Product Construction Material: Flame Retardant PE/PVC *Assembly Required: Yes *Country of Origin: China *Light Warranty: 3 Year/3000 Hours *Prelit With 600 Clear Incandescent Lights *GKI Bethlehem Lighting Item # 100023605

The History of Decorating Christmas Trees From Vintage Trees to Modern Unique Tree Decorating Ideas

Like many Christmas Season traditions, the decorating of Christmas Trees has evolved greatly over the years.As early as the 17th century, Christmas trees in Germany (and eventually in the US) were originally lit up by attaching candles to the branches with wax or wire.These candles were then lit to create the beautiful effect of a lighted Christmas tree.It also created a major fire hazard.Trees normally weren't decorated until Christmas Eve, and people always made sure to keep a bucket of sand or water near the tree for the inevitable fires that would break out.A huge change came about when electricity was invented.The very first Christmas Tree to be lit by electric lights was lit in 1882 by Edward Johnson.Mr.Johnson was a business associate of Thomas Edison.He hand wired red, white, and blue lights and wrapped them around a Christmas tree.Using electric lighting did not come to the attention of the general public though for another 13 years when President Cleveland first lit a tree in the White House in 1895.Although this made the public more aware of the possibility of using electric lights, it was still very expensive to do.The lights had to be hand wired by a "wireman" and usually cost about $300 to do( which would be about $2000 today).Christmas Tree parties became popular among the well to do, but most people were still using candlelight.Then, in 1900, GE ran the first advertisement for Christmas lamps to be used on trees.A year later, the first pre-wired light sets were offered to the general public.Still, they were mostly used by businesses and store fronts to decorate for the Holiday Season rather than in homes.In 1903, electric Christmas Tree lights were finally made more accessible to the public.These were the first sets that had bulbs you could screw in and a plug, and using electric lights really started becoming popular.Another progression in the late 1800's was the invention of artificial Christmas Trees.They originated in Germany and were made of metal wires with dyed feathers attached to look like pine needles.Artificial trees progressed to silver ones in the 1900's.I'm sure you've all seen the style that was popular in the 1950's.The trees were silver and had a colored light underneath that made the tree change colors.These trees have become a popular collector's item.Nowadays, artificial trees have progressed from beautiful, real looking trees to pristine white trees to prelit Christmas trees made with either fiber optics or regular lights.You don't even have to worry about lights anymore, they come on the tree! Unless you're like me, I like to change my color theme every year or two.My tree always has different colored lights on it.Last year was blue and silver! I'm still deciding what this year will be.Some artificial trees even come with faux snow on them, with pine cones and berries for color.You almost don't have to decorate them!Whether you're someone who loves tradition and decorates your tree the same every year, or someone like me who likes to change it up, think about all the progress that's been made over the years when you're putting up your tree this year.You'll never look at your tree the same again.Happy Holidays!

More detail about Artificial Christmas Tree Prelit

Christmas For The Kids

As the whirl of Christmas season looms closer and closer you might be starting to panic as it feels as if there's just not enough hours in the day to cope with it all.For working parents shopping for gifts, preparing food and simply being organised ready for the holiday can seem exhausting and stressful.Before you get short-tempered with the kids and shout at them for bothering you however, remember that Christmas is supposed to be about spending time with them and the family.Decorating cookies is enjoyable for younger kids and a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon bonding with them.Make the most of your time with them and treasure it as most of the year they are at school and you're busy at work so you don't see much of them.This is an opportunity for you all to get to know each other better and spend quality time together.You don't even need to bake the actual cookies if you can't cook or don't have the time, just buy some plain ones and get them to decorate with icing or frostings.Little kids love to see Santa and nearly every town in the UK has a grotto in the shopping centre or the larger department stores.Don't miss out on an outing doing this with your younger children as the look on their faces when they see it all lit up with the elves helping out and then actually meet Santa Claus is magical and will be more than worth it.Take a trip to town to see the Christmas lights get turned on too - they often have a local celebrity who comes along to do it making it a double treat.Once your xmas tree arrives set it in water immediately as you want it to absorb water right from the start if it's to look its best.It's important to check and refill the water level a few times a day as trees drink a lot and can dry out very quickly.Christmas trees are fun to decorate together.Re-use the decorations from previous years, particularly if they have been made at school by the kids or been given as a small gift by friends.Check out the festive market for unique ornaments that will give the tree a distinctive look and make visitors admire it.Get them to help you clean up the house! Although not spring this is a good time for a clear-out as you can encourage everyone to sort out all the old toys they have grown out of, these can then be taken to the charity shop which is also a good lesson in caring and that Christmas is really about giving to others and not only about them and what expensive gift they want.You never know you might actually get them to stop saying, 'I want' and 'please can I have' for a while!How about ice-skating? Some town centres have a small rink put up especially for the holiday season creating a real winter wonderland, and the atmosphere is fantastic with toffee apples and hot drinks on sale.Most are open in the evenings so you can go after work and even if you only go to watch it's a real occasion for the kids to get excited about and enter into the Christmas spirit.A visit to the pantomime at Christmas time has been a tradition in the UK for years and is as much a part of it as decorating the real tree and giving each other gifts.Contact the local theatre to see what's on, although the jokes are corny you might see a favourite television personality on stage and the kids will be enthralled with the colourful and whacky costumes, celebrities and long-established audience involvement.Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty and The Snowman are just some of the most popular options this year.Check out real trees and Christmas tree stands online where you get high quality firs and a convenient shopping experience.

More detail about Artificial Christmas Tree Prelit

Artificial Christmas Tree Prelit Pre-Lit Pull-Up Christmas Tree, Clear Best Price

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

List Price : Price : $129.99
as of 2012-09-14 08:00 PM

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.

Storage of Artificial Prelit Christmas Trees

1st - Lights.It is critical to locate lights which are not working.The more lights which are not working on a light string, the more electricity the working lights have to consume.For example, if you have a 50 light set, each light consumes 1/50th of the electricity in the string.If 10 lights are not working, the 40 lights which are working are forced to take 20% more electricity.If this situation continues, the light string is permanently damaged.The lights will not work and each of the lights have a brown tinge.Light manufactures do not cover this type of damage in their warranty.The goal is to locate and replace any burned out lights.Turn on the lights on the tree.Starting at the top, trace the wire for the light string and make sure each light is functioning.If you find a non-working light, immediately replace the bulb.If you run out of bulbs, then mark the non-working light with brightly color string or tape for replacement when you get more bulbs.2nd - Compress Tree.The goal is to compress the branches of the tree in an orderly fashion to preserve the lights, needles and branches.To help understand what we are working with, look at the bottom row of branches on the tree.For a 7.5' tree, there is usually 6-8 main branches attached to the center pole.Each of these main branches have baby branches attached.Below, we discuss how to fold the baby branches back to the main branch.This is why we call it un-fluffing.When you put the tree up, you fluffed or styled the tree to make it full and pretty.Now we want to make it skinny.Starting at the outer, top of the tree, carefully fold the baby branches toward the larger main branches.Work your way around the top branches and then move down to the next row of branches until the entire tree is un-fluffed.It is a common mistake to simply put the tree back in the box without un-fluffing the tree.This causes problems compressing the tree into a smaller space.By folding the baby branches toward the main branch, the tree fits into a smaller space and the needles / branches are less likely to be damaged.3rd - Take Apart.Remove the top section of the tree.Turn the top upside down and gently press the branches toward the center pole.Lay the top on its side out of the way for a moment.(don't put it in the bag / box yet) Remove the center section(s) of the tree.Turn the section(s) upside down and gently press the branches toward the center pole.Lay the middle section(s) on their side out of the way for a moment.(don't put it in the bag / box yet).Loosen the bolts on the tree stand and remove the bottom section.Turn the bottom section upside down and gently press the branches toward the center pole.If you have a strong twine or cloth covered bungee cords, it is a good idea to wrap the bottom and middle sections with twine or bungee cord to further compress the tree.You do not want to make it too tight but just a little compression makes the next step easier.Make sure that when you are folding the branches toward the center pole that the light strings do not get caught or pinched in the hinges.If the branches are not easily folding toward the center pole, do not force it.4th - Pack It Up.Place the bottom section into the box / bag first.If you still have the plastic end cap, place it over the end which goes in the tree stand.The cap will help prevent this pointed end from going through the side.Position the bottom section so the pointed end of the center pole is in the middle of the bag and the non-pointed end is at one end of the box/bag or the other.Position the middle section so the widest part of the section is at the other end of the box/bag.Position the top section,.Tree stand and any other parts in the middle of the box / bag.5th - Where to put it?The following are the general guidelines when storing an artificial Christmas tree.Frosted, flocked or white Christmas trees are particularly sensitive to extreme temperatures and humidity.These types of trees discolor rapidly in hot and humid storage conditions.Keep the Temperature - 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit Humidity - As low as possible.No animals - Birds, mice and rats love to live in artificial Christmas trees.

More detail about Artificial Christmas Tree Prelit

A Prelit Christmas Tree Instantly Brings Festive Cheer To Your Home!

Prelit artificial Christmas trees have a number of advantages over real trees.If you're looking for a hassle-free tree that can be put up and illuminated in minutes, and isn't going to shed messy needles all over your carpet, then a prelit tree is the perfect solution.An artificial tree not only looks great, it will continue to look its best throughout the holiday season and can be reused every Christmas period, making it an economical choice.Prelit Christmas trees have the convenience of being pre-strung with twinkling clear or multicolored bulbs.You simply put the tree up and switch on the lights.Just imagine - no more stress of having to remember where you put last year's lights and then having to untangle all the strings! With a prelit tree you can bring your home alive with the magic of Christmas in a matter of minutes.In addition to being quick and easy to set up, artificial Christmas trees have a compact design for easy storage.So there's no need to worry about transporting a tree home in the trunk of your car or getting the branches of a real tree stuck in your doorway!Prelit trees come in a wide range of sizes and colors, from realistic looking fir or pine tree shapes in forest green, to those accented with artificial snow, or those with silver branches.As well as adding an atmosphere of festive cheer in an instant, an artificial tree is better in terms of fire safety than a real tree, and many artificial Christmas trees are allergy-resistant.Another big bonus of having a prelit Christmas tree is that once it's up and in place it doesn't need any attention, unlike a real tree that has to be watered and cared for.If you want more quality time to enjoy with your family and friends this holiday season, then buying a prelit Christmas tree is a great way to instantly bring the festive mood to your décor, leaving you free to make the most of the Christmas spirit!

More detail about Artificial Christmas Tree Prelit

How LED Christmas Lights Make Decorating With a Prelit Christmas Tree Even Easier

Let's say that you have already decided on a prelit Christmas tree as the center of your holiday decor.You probably chose this type of tree because it is a way to have a beautiful and festive Christmas tree without some of the hassle that comes with a traditional cut tree.In this article, I would like to suggest that you take simplicity one step further and opt for a prelit Christmas tree with LED lighting.If you think your choice of lighting doesn't make a difference, let me remind you of an all-too-common flaw in regular incandescent Christmas lights.Do you know what happens when one light fails? Every light on the strand goes out.At that point it is up to you to go through and test each lightbulb until you find the one that went bad.This is one area in which LED has the advantage.One lightbulb outage doesn't ruin everything and cause your whole tree to go dark.There are several other benefits that LED Christmas lights have over the older standard incandescent lights..They use less energy.Some LED trees are so energy efficient that you can run them on batteries.The don't run as hot as incandescent bulbs and that makes them less of a fire hazard.They have a longer life span and can last over 25,000 hours.One disadvantage to LED Christmas lights is the cost which tends to be higher than the standard ones.However, if you think long-term, this option is very likely to save you money over time.The longevity and the energy efficiency of these bulbs will offset your initial investment.I have just given you a few reasons why choosing an LED prelit Christmas tree can be a time and money saving action to take this holiday season.If you do decide to purchase such an item you will have a no-hassle tree decorating solution that should last you for many years to come.

More detail about Artificial Christmas Tree Prelit