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If you have an awesome fake Christmas tree, what’s the make and model?

36 replies

SinkGirl · 02/01/2020 14:48

Every year I say I’ll look for a fake tree in the post Christmas sale, and every year we end up with the increasingly sad Tesco special that’s in the loft. This year I actually want to do it.

Just been looking at balsam hill and they have a few that look lovely but I know reviews are mixed depending on model.

Need 6-7’ and ideally slimline / narrow.

Tell me what you’ve got if you love it

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Will0wtree · 02/01/2020 16:08

I had a 25 year old Christmas Tree that's been great but has been looking more and more ragged over the years so I thought I'd treat a new one this year.

I bought a seven foot Balsam Hill pre-lit Norway Spruce in the black Friday sales before Christmas. It was still expensive even in the sale, but I'm hoping it will last the next 25 years.

Got to say, it is stunning. I thnk everyone who has walked through the door has exclaimed how beautiful it is. There are enough lights on it to light up the room with the ordinary lights off.

I don't think it's quite as realistic as they claim, I wouldn't mistake it for a real one. But it is lovely.

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SinkGirl · 02/01/2020 16:25

Ooh I saw that one, it does look lovely.

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BumpkinSpiceBatty · 02/01/2020 16:28

Balsam Hill prelit Blue spruce. This my third year using it and everyone always comments how lovely it is. Hoping it lasts 10+ years for the price.

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kittykatkitty · 02/01/2020 16:40

Ballsam Hill
They are lovely trees

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peachypetite · 02/01/2020 16:44

I bought a Balsam Hill 7ft pre lit Vancouver spruce just before Christmas in the sale. Everyone who has seen it has complimented it.

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marvelousways · 02/01/2020 18:55

I have just ordered a balsam hill 6 ft pre-lit norway spruce and am excitedly awaiting its arrival - although obviously will be next year before we try it out.

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pollyputthepastaon · 02/01/2020 18:58

I have one from Hayes Garden World website and I have to say we get a lot of complements on it.

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SkateAway · 02/01/2020 19:08

I got mine from B&Q (Eiger, I think its called) I couldnt justify the expense of a Balsam Hill one, though they are lovely.

I think I got a bargain at £38 for a 7"6 tree. Its and narrow, but the branches are lovely and full so it doesnt look skinny. The "needles" are all differently textured as well which makes it look a bit prettier.

Everyone who has visited has said how beautiful it is (even with my haphazard decorating skills) and are shocked at the price.

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Motionoftheoceon · 02/01/2020 19:09

This year I bought a Balsalm hill Narrow Fraser fir, I agree they look to uniform to be mistaken for a real tree but it does look great and I’m really pleased with it.

If you have an awesome fake Christmas tree, what’s the make and model?
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DreamingofSunshine · 02/01/2020 19:10

Balsam Hill Berkshire Fir, it's incomparable to the M&S predecessor. I got it in the sale at the beginning of December.

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LifeInAHamsterWheel · 02/01/2020 19:23

We got a Balsalm Hill Grandview Fir, 7ft prelit and it's gorgeous. Very realistic looking branches, beautiful warm white lights - and hundreds of them! It was a great investment, we bought it on sale a few years ago think it was around £270 but it was money well spent. No more wrestling with strings of lights, just one plug! Get one OP!!

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FenellaVelour · 02/01/2020 19:29

Another with a Balsam Hill (6.5ft pre-lit Fraser fir).
It’s great quality. Several people thought it was real.

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theclockticksslowly · 02/01/2020 19:39

7ft Balsam Hill European silver Fir unlit. I got it in the 50% off sale. Takes a while to set up and properly fluff the branches (watch the how to videos) but worth the time. It looks lovely. A couple of visitors have had to look twice before realising its fake. Lots of compliments. (Helped by the M&S mistletoe and fir scent diffuser in the same room!)

Would agree it looks too uniform to properly be mistaken for a real tree but it’s definitely a step up from our last tree.

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notangelinajolie · 02/01/2020 20:04

Balsam Hill European Fir. I bloody love it and there is no way you would believe it is not real. Some fake trees are a bit too perfect but this one even has wonky bits. It even feels real. The shape as well is so realistic.

www.balsamhill.co.uk/p/european-fir

If you have an awesome fake Christmas tree, what’s the make and model?
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notangelinajolie · 02/01/2020 20:17

Forgot to post picture. Balsam Hill European Fir.

If you have an awesome fake Christmas tree, what’s the make and model?
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Sausagis · 02/01/2020 20:22

Mines 13 years old and was one of the luxury models from b&q, purchased in January sale. Some lights have failed but we've added more, we love it too much to replace!

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stoplickingthetelly · 02/01/2020 20:22

We’ve got a really nice 7ft one from John Lewis. Can remember what it’s call though, sorry.

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Killerqueen2244 · 02/01/2020 20:25

Ours is from The National Tree Company, which are often stocked in local garden centres. I just had a quick look online and they do have a website although it doesn’t seem to be loading properly for me.

Ours is probably coming up to 15 years old and is still going strong! It’s easy to bush out and I like that the bottom twigs are shorter than the next set up so it’s not uniform triangle.

If you have an awesome fake Christmas tree, what’s the make and model?
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TheBoxOfDelights · 02/01/2020 20:26

Two BH trees, Fraser fir has just had its tenth Xmas and a two Christmas old Alpine. Can’t ever see them expiring tbh.

I prefer the Fraser for, its unlit and I add led candle lights in warm white.

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Hullabalooo · 02/01/2020 20:36

Would you say it's better to buy a lit or unlit one?

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Alsoco · 02/01/2020 20:38

We got ours from Whitehall Garden Centre, they have a 50% sale online! We looked at Balsam Hill but went with one from Whitehall.

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theatrenerd31 · 02/01/2020 20:40

B&Q thetford. It's been mistaken for a real tree by a few people and wasn't as extortionate as balsam hill :)

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nocluewhattodoo · 02/01/2020 20:44

Oh wow, I usually hate fake trees and think they look crap in comparison to a real tree, but that European fir @notangelinajolie posted looks amazing! I'm almost tempted, but we have so little storage space and I imagine even packed down they are pretty big?

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Myimaginarycathasfleas · 02/01/2020 20:46

I also have the 6.5ft BH European Fir. It's the only artificial tree that has a convincing shape. It doesn't look real, but it does look realistic, iyswim. I bought a Dunelm wicker "skirt" to put round the bottom to hide the metal stand.

I bought mine in a flash sale in November with an additional 20% off the sale price and haven't seen it cheaper since. Since its predecessor lasted 20 years, I think it will pay for itself over time.

I decided against prelit because I reasoned it adds a lot to the price and the lights will fail before the tree. However next year I will buy the largest number of lights on a single plug that I can find!

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TheBoxOfDelights · 02/01/2020 20:46

I prefer my unlit one. I then add candle lights which I love. I regret getting lights on the alpine.

If you have an awesome fake Christmas tree, what’s the make and model?
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