The only prelit tree is my outside tree; for inside I like a good artificial & like to string my own lights to get the effect that I like.

I have a pre-lit tree that I hate. Getting the light of the different sections connected to each other isn't any picnic. I'd rather string lights. The darned thing isn't small either, so it takes up valuable storage space all year, too. It was very expensive, so I feel that I have to use it to justify the cost. After this year, I plan to go back to a real tree.

Have a tree trimming party and invite someone who doesn't mind stringing lights!

Don't get a tree so big that stringing the lights becomes an issue. We have a 4' pre-lit (second tree for the dining room), but it's actually pre-strung which means when the lights start going I can easily cut the wires and restring it myself.

I hope I never have to give up the tradition of a fresh tree.

Hate, hate, hate the prelit tree. My husband is on day three in the process of cutting the lights off our prelit tree (too frugal to buy a new one), because half the lights on our 5 year old tree are burnt out. Will never own another.
But that's just us...
Dee

Dee, I've heard the same thing from many who own pre-lit. I'd never invest big bucks in one.

Thank you so much for all of your replies! I guess I'll stick with my real tree! Believe me, I would be sad to give up a real tree anyway. The only reason I'd go with an artificial tree would be so that I don't have to deal with the lights, but it doesn't sound like that is the case anyway.

We have an artificial tree (not pre-lit) that is assembled one layer of branches at a time. It took me a few years to figure out that it's easier to put on the lights as the tree is assembled than to build the tree and then put on the lights. Altho you said you'd prefer to not deal with the lights, I find that adding them to each layer as the tree is put together is not that difficult. Once the tree is complete, so are the lights.