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Save, Spend, Splurge: 2024 is the Year of the Glamorous Christmas Tree

The golden thread to buying a Christmas tree is size, price, and real versus fake

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By Kimberley Schoeman  | November 29, 2023 | Shopping

Tis the season to start curating and decorating your home in celebration of the festive season. Bring out your best Christmas whites, string lights, and glistening baubles to dress up your spruce. If you are in the market for a new, a replacement, or a Christmas tree upgrade there are a few things to take into account. Consider whether you want a reel pine tree or an artificial tree, the size of the tree, and how the tree will fit into your home’s aesthetic. Of course, size and material will affect the price of your Christmas tree, but there are ways to get the most bang for your buck this festive season. But the reality is, if you’re in pursuit of a substantial Christmas tree, you are going to have to spend some money, but at least this tree should last at least 5 years.

Here are three Christmas trees and some inspirations for decorating them:

Save: 2.1m Artificial Christmas Tree, Takealot, R1,779

An artificial Christmas tree is the way to go if you are short on budget and space. But an artificial Christmas tree is no less festive than its authentic pine counterparts. In fact, the artificial tree is the best canvas for either a new theme for your tree every year, or the foundation for your most authentic Christmas style year in, and year out. A pro tip on searching for your next artificial Christmas tree is to look out for ‘tip count:’ The higher the tip count, the fuller your tree will look. For a decent artificial Christmas tree, this 2.1 artificial tree from Takealot priced at R1,779 is a stellar stage for your tree’s decor. All you need to create the foundation for a perfectly-decorated Christmas tree is a two strings of Christmas lights, a beautiful star-topper, and a tree skirt. The rest of the tree decor is a choose-your-own-adventure.

Another alternative to an artificial Christmas tree is a potted tree like a pine or conifer, which you can repot in your garden after Christmas day. Not only is it a unique way to elevate your overall Christmas experience, but these potted trees are sure to flourish in your garden. Imagine one year after repotting them in your garden, you will easily see how much the trees have grown.

Another alternative to an artificial Christmas tree is a potted tree like a pine or conifer, which you can repot in your garden after Christmas day. Image via Pexels.

Available through www.takealot.com

Spend: Snowy Oxford Pine Pre-lit 210cm Christmas Tree, Mon Exteriors, R 3,590

While it may feel strange singing the Christmas carol lyrics, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” in South Africa’s summer heat, your tree can definitely bring the heat with a touch of winter wonderland. Why not add a hint of snow with your tree? After all, Christmas memorabilia always has an element of snow-covered rooftops, snowmen, and slay bells. Instead of buying canned snow to spray on your tree, consider the Snowy Oxford pre-lit tree with a 725 tip count from Mon Exteriors. This tree not only recreates wintery Christmas spirit, but gives your home a warm glow with its built-in lights.

Remember, when setting up your Christmas tree, shape your new tree’s branches by lightly fluffing the needles, branches and tips for a fuller appearance.

Snowy Oxford Pine Pre-lit 210cm Christmas Tree, Mon Exteriors, R 3,590. Image via Pexels.

Available through www.monexteriors.com

Splurge: Falls Fir Pre-lit Christmas Tree, Mon Exteriors, R 14,990

It is not surprising how much tech can be injected into something as romantic as your Christmas tree. Not only can you buy an artificial tree with lights pre-installed, but you can now buy a hyper-realistic Christmas tree with lights that can put on a show by controlling them via an app.

Think about it, your Christmas tree is not just a beacon for celebration, but a vehicle to make a huge statement during December. With multiple colours and effects at your finger tips, you can put on either a multi-coloured on monochromatic light show on your Christmas tree. The Falls Fir Pre-lit Christmas Tree, also from Mon Exteriors comes with 750 pre-strung, multi-colour LED lights that illuminate this impressively hefty tree with a 4985 tip count. If anything, the most luxurious artificial trees (besides a beatiful freshly-cut pine), is a bespoke tree with many different options.

Falls Fir Pre-lit Christmas Tree, Mon Exteriors, R 14,990. Image via Pexels.

Available through www.monexteriors.com