It just wouldn’t be Christmas without the all-important tree.
Dressed with baubles, tinsel and other decorations, it’s the festive decor centrepiece in many homes up and down the country, giving you an injection of yuletide joy with a mere glance.
But where does the tradition of a decorated tree come from?
Its origins can be traced back to 16th century Germany to Martin Luther who is thought to have started the look of adding lit candles to a tannenbaum, or fir tree. The prettiness of it outweighed the danger of a potential fire hazard and copycat versions started appearing all over Western Europe.
The tradition snowballed and today, it’s impossible to imagine putting your presents under anything but a decorated tree.
While real trees have their charms, they’re also prone to shedding needles everywhere making them a real pain to keep tidy. Then there’s the question of how to get rid of them once the day is done; nothing kills post-Christmas spirit more than the sight of pavements littered with the sad carcasses of dead trees.
A faux tree solves all these issues. Available in a range of heights, shapes and colours, you can get a timeless one that looks exactly like the real thing or plump for a post-modern look to suit whatever theme you’ve opted for this year.
From rave-worthy neon designs to ceiling-scraping giants, here are the best artificial Christmas trees to buy in the UK.
What to consider before you purchase your dream (faux) tree.
Size: most artificial trees range from 4ft to 12ft, with the most popular height being 7ft. Be sure to measure your ceiling height and check your floor width before buying, there should be at least a one foot radius of open space surrounding the tree so all the branches can be opened and fanned at maximum length.
Price: nowadays you can buy a 7ft tree for as little as £20 – but shoppers should bear in mind that the more money you spend, the more authentic your tree will look
PVC or PE: needles made from PVC tend to look more authentic from afar but are more noticeable fake up close due to the rectangular cut of the needles. However, PE needles (polyethylene) looks incredibly realistic due to a process that involves injection moulding which results in a three dimension needle but is expectedly more expensive.
Here we select this year’s best artificial Christmas trees, from Balsam Hill to John Lewis.
Balsam Hill Fraser Fir Pre-Lit Tree
Balsam Hill are the cream of the crop in the world of Christmas trees – meaning you can expect outstandingly real-looking centrepieces every time. This lush, full-bodied tree couldn't be easier to assemble: delivered in a compact box, each section locks together in under a minute. You simply unfurrow the plump blanches, then use the gloves provided to space and spread the smaller branches.
Thanks to the brand’s ‘True Needle Technology’, the lifelike foliage perfectly captures the look and feel of a real fir. It stands on rubber feet to prevent scratching and even comes with a storage bag for after Christmas.
If you are wondering how all those expertly crafted Christmas retail windows remain oh so serene throughout December, the secret is a really good fake tree. And this is the best of the best.
From £379 | Balsam Hill | Buy it now *On sale now
Christmas Tree World 7ft Ultra Mountain Pine
At 7ft tall this terrific tree will look perfect in a high-ceilinged room. With a noticeably rich emerald colour, it is also one of the densest trees on our list and boasts a mix of realistic-looking plastic and PVC tips. It comes with a metal folding stand with plastic tips to prevent scratching.
£202 | Christmas Tree World | Buy it now *On sale now
Robert Dyas 6ft Pre-Lit Buckingham Christmas Tree
If you’re going for a subtly snowy look, this tree adorned with snow frosted tips and pre-lit lights is right up your street. The 6ft tree features 260 warm white cone lights, while the densely packed branches are easy to shape. In truth, it's not the most realistic looking tree, but for just under £100 it will still look every bit Christmassy once it's all dressed up and party ready.
£99 | Robert Dyas | Buy it now *On sale now, normally £149
Argos Home 6ft Grey Ombre Tree
Grey has become one of the hottest colours when it comes to home décor and this Argos number is a perfect way to embrace the trend for Christmas. It comes in three different shades for a striking ombré effect. For a uniform look, pair with white and silver decorations in sparkly and metallic finishes.
£30 | Argos | Buy it now *On sale now
6ft White Pine Artificial Christmas Tree with Stand
If you're looking for a knockout Christmas tree, this might the one for you. Looking as though it's been plucked straight out of a Nordic forest, this six foot stunner is far more plump compared to your average artificial tree — better hurry quick, it's already low on stock.
£104 | Wayfair | Buy it now
Bravich 5 foot Pink Christmas Tree
£19.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
John Lewis & Partners Festive Fir Unlit Christmas Tree, 6ft
Sitting on a metal stand, this realistic-looking tree stands at six feet tall. Ensure your room is tall enough to house it - and don't forget to account for the tree topper if you're having one. Measures H180 x Dia.117cm.
You can get a shorter, fire-safe version here.
£59 | John Lewis | Buy it now
Shop all artificial Christmas Trees at John Lewis
The Woodland Pine Half Tree (4ft to 6ft)
It's a common Christmas conundrum; you spend hours painstakingly decorating your tree so that it looks spectacular from every angle, only to shove it in the corner with half of it obstructed from view - frustrating to say the least. However this clever design allows you to literally cut corners as you're only buying half a tree. Carefully balanced on legs of varied length, you'll get the look of a full, realistic tree in half the space. Perfect for anyone in a small home.
From £35.99 | Christmas Tree World | Buy it now
Premier Decorations 7ft Spiral Snow Tree - Green
Adding a fun twist to your Christmas decor is this spiral shaped tree from Premier Decorations. Covered with forest green branches sprinkled with a healthy helping of 'snow', the unique design will make it easier than ever to hang your decorations.
£142 | Argos | Buy it now
Wilko Tree Green Tinsel 3ft
This budget option is ideal for students, renters or anyone with a spare room they want to give the festive touch without digging too deep. Made with green tinsel, the compact three foot tree comes with a solid base and assembles in seconds.
£7.50 | Wilko | Buy it now
Shop all artificial Christmas Trees at Wilko
George Asda 5ft Rainbow Christmas Tree
Measuring five feet tall, this vibrant tree is just the thing for anyone who wants a contemporary spin to their festive look this year. Once dressed with lights and ornaments, it'll be your pride and joy.
£35 | Asda | Buy it now
Clas Ohlson Champagne/Gold Christmas Tree 6ft
If you're not one to do things by halves, go all out with a glittering gold Christmas tree. This full sized version would look perfectly celebratory on its own or with just a touch of decoration.
£29.99 | Clas Ohlson | Buy it now *On sale from £49.99
6.5ft Rockland Pine Hinged Christmas Tree
With its classic tree look, this plush tree will give you all the festive feels. The thick foliage obstructs the metal frame, helping to give this an ultra-realistic appearance.
£199.99 | Dunelm | Buy it now
Shop all artificial trees at Dunelm
Natural Al 4ft Green Pine Artificial Christmas Tree with Stand
Anticipating a huge pile of presents under the tree? There's no need to jostle for space with this tree design, whose faux fir branches stop short two thirds of the way down. It's also perfect for keep inquisitive pets from eating your baubles.
Includes a sturdy stand to support the slender design.
£28.99 | Wayfair | Buy it now *On sale from £37.99
5ft Rose gold Christmas tree
Fancy straying from the red, green and gold Christmas décor script? Revel in this unique tree which the listing says in rose gold but we feel is more a shade of millennial pink. Finish with all-pink or pastel-only ornaments for a dreamy look that you won't be able to stop gazing at.
£55 | Paperchase | Buy it now
Shop all artificial Christmas trees at Paperchase
Busybee 6ft Christmas Tree with Lights and Ornaments
If you haven't the time or inclination to shop for a tree as well as all the bells and whistles to go with it, Busybee offers an all-in-one solution. Their gold and burgundy tree comes with two sets of 39ft USB-powered lights and an incredible 107 decorations!
It's not tat either; think elegant tassels, flower and leaf picks, baubles and tiny robins, all in a classic deep red and gold colourway so everything matches. You'll feel like you've stepped into A Christmas Carol.
£139.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Shop all artificial Christmas trees at Amazon
Pink ombre small Christmas tree
They say good things come in small packages and they'd be right in this instance. This super stylish ombre tree comes in a super dinky height of just 220mm tall - just the right size for jazzing up your desk or bedside table, we'd say.
£6 | Paperchase | Buy it now
Verdict:
The most authentic looking tree is no doubt Balsam Hill’s Fraser Fir, boasting incredible durability that is second to none. You can also fool guests for a bit less with very reasonably priced £59 6ft John Lewis Christmas Tree
