For years I was a Fraser fir girl. Growing up in the Midwest, my family always had a real Christmas tree, so when I moved to New York City twenty years ago, I continued the Christmas tradition. The idea of there being a very realistic artificial Christmas tree seemed laughable to me, so I happily strolled to my local “New York State of Pine” tree stand and dragged home a six-foot spruce tree. Nowadays technology has come a long way, so realistic artificial Christmas trees exist. When my mother got sick a few years ago, I started spending my holidays with her, so it made no sense for me to put up a real tree, which would be dry, crunchy and painful. removed by the time I returned to New York several weeks later.
I refused to go another year without a tree in my apartment, so this month I decided to check out the best artificial Christmas trees. I opted for an artificial tree with lights because I didn’t want to worry about tying it (and then untying it) myself. The point of an artificial Christmas tree is to make the process simple, so having the lights already attached was a big selling point for me.
I looked online where I could buy artificial Christmas trees and came across Balsam Hill, which is known for its more expensive artificial Christmas trees. I chose the 2.5 meter high artificial Balsam Fir Christmas tree with a slender stature and both colored and clear light. This is what I thought about the tree.
Balsam Hill
Balsam Hill Balsam Fir Artificial Christmas Tree
Easy to use: Can be set up in less than 30 minutes
Space saving: Packaged in one storage bag
Adaptable: Available in many heights and widths, plus lighting and layout options
$549 at Balsam Hill
Buy an artificial Christmas tree online
The best artificial Christmas trees cost quite a bit of money, so if you’re going to make that investment, you probably want to feel well informed about what you’re buying, right? And you probably want the process to be seamless, too. The first thing I noticed about the Balsam Hill website was that it was SO easy and intuitive to use. Once you click on the tree of your choice (in my case the BH Balsam Fir), you simply select the height, shape, lighting and arrangement. You don’t have to scroll through countless pages because everything is right there.
As you choose between settings, you’ll also see the price change in real time, so you can immediately decide whether it’s worth an extra $100 for a larger tree or other types of lights.
My Balsam Hill artificial Christmas tree looks so much better than my old one, even before it’s decorated.
How to choose an artificial Christmas tree online
Since you can’t see the tree in person, you’ll have to rely on reviews you read online (like this one), deals offered (which are especially likely around and after the holidays), and what features are available. What I liked about Balsam Hill is how many options they offered on their website.
Height
Balsam Hill artificial Christmas trees are available from 6 to 6 feet. Before ordering, please measure your space accordingly, including both the height and width. The website provides the full dimensions of each tree, so consider how much space it will take up in both directions.
Form
Before I came across Balsam Hill’s website, I had no idea artificial Christmas trees came in so many widths. What I like about their trees is that you can choose the style you like (like the BH Fraser Fir) and then choose a slim, full or wide tree. Although I like the full and wide trees best, storage space is an issue for me, so I opted for the slim construction so that it would take up less space in my closet during the year.
Lights
Instead of having to choose between colored and clear lights as was the case in the past, Balsam Hill offers both options, plus the option to have both on the same tree (although this can bump the price up a few hundred dollars, depending on how high your tree). They also offer funky fairy and twinkling light shows and whichever lights you use, you can easily control them with a remote control.
Line-up
Until I came across Balsam Hill’s website, I was also completely unaware that they made artificial folding Christmas trees, which actually fold down and make taking down a little easier. I really wanted to try this option, but I spoke to their customer service team who told me that they take up more space when stored because they are meant to be moved on a wheeled base rather than broken down and to be put in boxes. The folding artificial Christmas tree is best for homes with a garage or dedicated storage space on the same floor, not for apartments like mine where the tree is crammed into the back of a cramped closet.
Balsam Hill tree in its box
What’s so special about Balsam Hill Christmas trees?
Balsam Hill is known for making some of the most realistic artificial Christmas trees on the market, but as mentioned above, I’m also very happy with how helpful and user-friendly their website is. Here are some other things I like about my Balsam Hill Christmas tree.
Easy to set up
Everything came in one box (unlike my sister’s larger artificial Christmas tree, which arrived and is still in multiple boxes). There were very clear, simple directions to follow and each section of the tree was labelled. It took me about 30 minutes to set up and even less time to take down.
Beautiful Christmas lights
As mentioned, I like that Balsam Hill offers so many lighting options and I’m very happy that I chose the combination of colored and clear LED light because the color of the lights I activate depends on the type of ornaments I hang.
Everything you need is included
No tools are required, but you will be given a small bag containing a simple tree stand, gloves for cleaning the branches, and spare lights in case you need them in the future.
Bendable branches
This position is absolutely mandatory for me because I invest a lot of time and money buying Christmas tree decorations all over the world. If they fall from a thin branch, it will be difficult to impossible for me to replace them, like the limited edition Grand Canyon National Park ornament I bought when I made Arizona the 50th state I visited. Because I can bend the branches upward, my ornaments are less likely to slip and break.
Flexible branches ensure that my Christmas decorations are less likely to fall off the tree
Which Balsam Hill tree looks the most realistic?
Well, it’s a bit of a matter of personal preference, but generally the BH Fraser Fir and the BH Balsam Fir are considered the most realistic looking. Personally, I think the Fraser Fir looks a little more realistic, but not by much.
Are Balsam Hill Trees Worth It?
That’s a bit of a matter of personal opinion, because even if you come across a Balsam Hill Christmas tree sale, you’ll still be spending hundreds of dollars. Personally, I think they’re worth it, but if you’re on a budget, you might be better off with an affordable real tree from Menards
Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Sale
Artificial Christmas trees are often discounted around the holidays, so luckily there’s a Balsam Hill Christmas tree sale going on right now. They’re offering up to 60% off their trees (plus free shipping) until January 20, but the sale may be extended.
Balsam Hill
