Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Trees: Are They Worth It?

As the holiday season approaches, many families face the decision of choosing the perfect Christmas tree for their home. Pre-lit artificial Christmas trees have gained significant popularity in recent years, but are they the right choice for you? Let's explore the advantages and disadvantages to help you make an informed decision.

Advantages

1. Time and Effort Savings

One of the most compelling benefits is the significant time saved during setup. No more spending hours untangling lights and carefully wrapping them around branches. Simply assemble the tree sections, and you're ready to start decorating with ornaments.

2. Professional Appearance

Pre-lit trees offer perfectly spaced, evenly distributed lights that create a professional, polished look that can be challenging to achieve when stringing lights manually. The wiring is typically well-concealed within the branches, resulting in a cleaner appearance.

3. Cost-Effective Long-Term

While the initial investment may be higher, pre-lit trees can be more economical over time. You won't need to purchase new strings of lights every few years, and the integrated LED lights in modern models are energy-efficient and long-lasting.

4. Safety Features

Many pre-lit trees come with built-in safety features such as:

• Auto shut-off mechanisms
• Cool-touch lights
• Fused plugs
• UL certification for electrical safety

5. Convenience of Storage

When the season ends, there's no need to remove and store lights separately. The entire tree can be disassembled and stored with lights intact, saving time and preventing light strand damage.

Disadvantages

1. Higher Initial Cost

Pre-lit trees generally command a premium price compared to their unlit counterparts. Quality models can cost significantly more than a basic artificial tree plus separate light strands.

2. Limited Lighting Customisation

You're essentially locked into:

• The color of the pre-installed lights
• The lighting pattern and density
• The lighting effect (steady, twinkle, etc.) This can be particularly frustrating for those who enjoy changing their tree's lighting scheme annually.

3. Repair Challenges

When light sections fail, repairs can be complicated:

• Individual bulb replacement may be difficult especially with LED lights
• Entire sections may need to be rewired
• Finding exact replacement bulbs can be challenging
• Professional repairs can be expensive

4. Obsolescence Concerns

As lighting technology advances, older pre-lit trees may look dated. LED technology has already made many incandescent pre-lit trees seem energy-inefficient and less appealing.

5. Storage Space Requirements

Pre-lit trees typically can't be compressed as much as unlit ones during storage, as excessive compression might damage the integrated lighting systems. This means they require more storage space year-round.

Making Your Decision

Consider your priorities when choosing between a pre-lit and unlit artificial tree:

• If convenience and time-saving are top priorities, a pre-lit tree might be ideal
• If you enjoy creating different lighting designs each year or prefer full control over your tree's appearance, an unlit tree might be better
• Consider your budget, storage space, and how long you plan to keep the tree

Remember that quality varies significantly among pre-lit trees. If you decide to purchase one, invest in a reputable brand with good warranty coverage and customer service to ensure many years of holiday enjoyment.

Mid Ulster Garden Centre is a leading stockist of quality artificial trees from the Everlands brand- both pre-lit and unlit version. You can shop our range of pre-lit trees here. They offer very competitive pricing and deliver thoughout the UK, Ireland and the EU.