We're on our 3rd year of using our pre-lit tree. It's a Fraiser fir, 8' tall and comes apart in 4 pieces. 1000 multi-colored lights.

Very easy to put up and take down. I Love not having to take the lights off and try to store them at the end of the season.

I think we paid about 175.00 for it at BJ's.

Very few (maybe 3 or 4) individual light bulbs have gone out, the rest of the string stays lit. Our tree goes up the weekend after Thanksgiving and the lights are on a lot, day and night.

We figured if we got at least 3 years use we'd be ahead of the game since we were paying about $75.00 each year for a live tree.

ML

Love it! Had a real tree for years, then artificial, which still took a full day to light. Also, keeping myy trees alive proved literally impossible despite the purchase of several "you'll never need another stand" type promises. None worked well enough, or the tree just stopped drink a week after putting it up.

If you do buy a pre-lit, make sure you purchase a tree that is returnable for a period of 1 yr. from the date of your purchase. I have had mine for 4 yrs now and haven't had an issue (fingers crossed - party coming up)!

Never going back to fresh. I love the fact that if I wish, I can light the tree in the morning and not have to turn it off if I run an errand or don't get to bed till the wee hours of the morning. Definitely a safety factor in the equation as well.

Always had an artificial tree this year undecorated it and decorated our new pre-lit, hinged branched tree, once done it remains decorated, as our other one did for 12 yrs., I wrap it in plastic and it goes into a walk in closet for storage.However doorway to closet very narrow, needed hinged lower branches.
Old tree:

DH had a 7' prelit tree when we got married, and we used it for a few years. At some point a section of lights quit working and I added my own string of lights. In 2005 we moved into a house with a grand, soaring living room . . . and I volunteered to be on the holiday home tour. So we bought a 9' pre-lit tree. I swear it took me three hours to get it set up the first time. It is in four sections, and getting things plugged in right is an acquired ability. And the fluffing of the branches is time consuming.

By year three, there were some sections that weren't lighting. We bought one of those little guns that tests the lights and got most of them relit. I set it up yesterday for its 5th Christmas (didn't put the tree up last year d/t kitchen reno). Found that a critter of some kind had made a nest in the tree, and chewed part of the wiring (I am repairing that today). Make a note that when you lack attic and basement storage, and the tree must spend the off-season boxed in the barn, the likelihood of critters increases exponentially.

Like kmcg 1985, I am dreaming of the beauty and scent of a real tree as I struggle with getting this prelit tree to perform properly. But I also know that buying a beautiful 9' real tree would be expensive each year. Perhaps on year five I have gotten the best out of this tree, and it is time to replace it. I posted on my facebook page that I was going to develop a holographic tree. I will scan in all the favorite ornaments and then just project the thing into the corner of the dining room. Any takers?

Except for a couple of years, we have always had a fake tree. We have had our prelit one now for about 5 years, so far so good, no issues. I do like the smell of a real tree but in my mind I think of how much time and effort it takes to grow those beautiful trees and then to cut them down to use for a month or less makes me feel a bit sad when I see them for sale.

For those of you with artificial trees...there is a GREAT home scent/candle out there for you. The Thymes Frasier Fir. I bought one of the three wick ones for my siblings who have faux trees three years ago...they swear by them. (And are still using their original candles.)

I believe there is also a spray. I wuold like to join the ranks of faux tree owners...but only if I can get the $500 7.5' Noble Fir that Hammacher Schlemmer sells. (Since I work at a gc and get my trees at 5% over cost...It would take me 15 + years to pay it off...and I don't think even the high-end ones hold up that long.)

Here is a link that might be useful: The Thymes Frasier Fir Home Scent Collection

kmcg85 - We have a deep well, stand in stand, and also string the tree up with fishing wire attached to two columns. We started this after a cat knocked our tree over one year.

My sister and BIL just spent $700 dollars for their artificial tree. It's the kind that has a rolling stand. I believe the place is Heavens Gate???

newhomebuilder-

I think Heaven's Gate was a suicide cult...they thought they were going to be taken to another spiritual plane by a spaceship that was hidden by the tail of a comet. Perhaps you meant Front Gate?

Here is a link that might be useful: Front Gate Christmas trees

I spent alot of money on my tree and my third year with this tree and there are a couple strands that did not light the last two years. Once the string of lights is out it is not easy (at least on my model) to remove that string of lights as it is so interwined with the branches.

IF I were to do it again - I would not buy the pre-lit tree just a beautiful artificial tree and my own lights - that gives me more control.

Bed Bath n Beyond sells little hanging sticks that give off a Christmas tree scent.

You hang them throughout the tree and they don't show, but they do make the tree smell like a real one.

I agree with Haley. About 4 years ago I bought a fairly expensive pre-lit tree.... there was one row of bottom lights that never worked after that first year, no matter what I did with them. We used the tree anyway the last 2 years, and turned that side to the back. But those lights always irritated me, the tree was practically brand new!! Drove me crazy.

My biggest problem with it, though, is that it was far to big for my living room. Ever notice how much smaller they seem in the store? So this year I decided to get rid of it, and just tonight my MIL & FIL came and picked it up. When I was getting it ready for them, I plugged it in and noticed there are now some lights near the top not working - - and it's still only 4 years old. MIL has a huge house and the patience to fuss with the lights, so it's all theirs.

I bought a very pretty, slim tree a week or so ago, and added my own lights. I'm very pleased with it. I honestly don't think I'd ever buy a pre-lit one again.

After 35 years of going to the country and cutting a tree, we have bought artificial trees. The main reason was that the tree in our new house is in the foyer, but very close to our bedroom. I am allergic to lots of things, and I guess Xmas trees in close proximity to where I sleep is one trigger. My children are horrified, but we've bought 2 trees, one from Christmas Depot (made in USA) and one from Garden Ridge (China). We opted both times for not buying pre-lit, having heard some bad things about sections of lights not lighting, etc. I use my own lights, C-7 and bubble lights. The trees are very nice, once decorated, and I like being able to use my own lights. I am a little apprehensive, as the bulbs get very warm, so like a real tree, I don't leave home with it lit. I am also happy about not worrying if my trees are getting enough to drink, and if my carpets/hardwood are getting rust stains or worse under the stands. I have a real wreath and pine roping on my kitchen door, and when the door opens, we're greeted with fresh pine scent.

I have one pre-lit in the living room that I have had for 4 or 5 years. This year a little section of the tree is not lighting. I have to buy that light tool to hopefully fix it. I also have a pre-lit in the family room that I am using for the 3rd year. So far so good. I did have a nice artificial that I gave away because I wanted a pre-lit but it was a very nice and full tree and am sorry that I got rid of it. The pre-lits seem to take more fluffing and they are very heavy. I have to take it in the house my the piece because it is way to heavy.

mjsee - LOL Yes, it's Front Gate...thanks for the correction.

lol @ the Heaven's Gate reference - I never knew that!

We have a 12' artificial tree. I fought against getting one for years - until finally the kids weren't even interested in going with us to pick out a real tree and DH talked me into using an artificial one.

I have to say that, other than not having the fresh tree scent, I love my artificial tree. We didn't buy a prelit one though. It's easy enough to install the lights - we (actually, DH) just strings them on each new layer of branches when he's putting the tree up.

We store the branches by size in 3 large Rubbermaid containers and the stem wrapped up in large plastic bags.

mjsee - thanks for the info on the Thymes frasier pine scent. According to their website, 2 of my local stores sell them so I'm going to stop by tomorrow. I can't stand the strong scent of most evergreen candles :-)

I just bought an artificial tree this year and I love it.Question, if a strand should go out, mine came with replacement bulbs, why can't you just use your own lights to hang on the tree , pre-lit or not?

We bought an 8 ft one about 4 years ago and the second year the top section's lights went out. I called the 1-800 number and the company sent me an entire strand for that section. DH took the old one off and replace it. No problems since.

My tree is very thick, which I like but there are no lights arranged on the inner parts of the branches. When we had non pre-lit trees, I would always go in to the trunk to put on lights. There are like 1200 lights on it and it is beautiful when decorated but I always say I am going to add a strand or two myself then when time comes, I don't.

I wish I had a place to store it decorated. By the time its done, I have spent about 6 hours on it. I open up all the branches that DH has to smash to make it fit in the obx. That alone takes a couple of hours.

Well, it's growing on me. I bought one last year after Christmas for a great price, but it's been a struggle to get it up and running. When I plugged it in only about half the lights came on. Got the lightkeeper pro and replaced around 2 dozen bulbs, but still had some dark sections. Called the place where I bought it and they sent the rep out from the company that distributes them, and she and another guy spent about an hour at my house testing and replacing bulbs. Did I mention that there are 1000 lights on this tree??? It's finally trimmed and gorgeous. They did tell me that if I see a bulb out, replace it right away. That will keep it in good order. If you run out of replacement bulbs, you can use others by keeping the base of the light, and just replacing the bulb part. I would keep as many replacement bulbs handy as possible, and buy more if you can. In my case, I bought a floor model/display tree, and it had been lit so much that it had several lights ready to go. It really looks gorgeous now, and the way they wire the lights it's great not to have the wires visible, So, if you ask me next year, I'll have a better answer about whether it was a good purchase or not. Right now, with everything working, it's the prettiest tree we've ever had and worth the effort.

I have a 7 foot pre-lit tree that I bought at Sears about 7 years ago at their after Christmas sale. I think I paid about $65 for it. It has 400 lights on it, so very bright and pretty! I bought it because I was so nervous with an old house and the risk of fire with a real tree.

I haven't had any problems with any of my lights at all. I store it in a bag in the basement, and after breaking my back two years ago, I wasn't so gentle with it, since I could hardly lift it, so I drug it through the house to get it back down there. Still no problems with the lights! It's very authentic looking fir- and I also light a candle and/or buy a real wreath to put near it so the house smells good.

Oh, and it comes with it's own stand, and my cat loves to crawl into the center of the tree to hang out- it has never fallen over, and while he used to weigh in at 15 pounds, as he's gotten older he's only about 10 pounds now. I'm not so sure I'd go back to a real tree- this one's way too easy!

We used to always get a tree from a nearby tree farm. In 1999 we brought home a tree that had no redeeming qualities. No matter how we tried to rotate it, there were obvious flaws. So, we took that tree down and paid $300 for a 9' pre-lit artificial tree. Absolutely loved it. This year we had to replace it--lights still worked fine; however it was too big for us to manhandle and had gotten a little too wobbly and needed propping to keep it straight.

This time we got a 7 1/2' Santa's Own prelit. Cost around $450. If one light goes out the string still works. Beautiful tree and much easier to maneuver. If we can get 5-10 years use out of this tree it will be great. Can't imagine going back to a real tree.

Came home from a weekend away. I put the tree up myself last Thursday and the family put the ornaments on. All the lights were working when I left...now an entire middle section is out! UGH!

kmcg, I feel your pain, but the lightkeeper pro is what you need. They should sell them with these trees. If you follow the instructions, you'll have the section up and running in no time. Probably just one bulb out, and with the little gun you'll find it in no time.

I love mine,I cant have a real tree our heat in floor cooks them,I bought last October a 2,000 tree half priced,9 1/2 'tree its full of lights.

jjam, I have LIGHTKEEPER PRO!It beeps at anywhere near the lights that are out, which is a lot at this point! I did notice one little 'ole bulb was missing when I put the tree up, but of course, I can't find it now! Is that it? What happened to the, "keeps lit even if one bulb is out"? So now, I have a tree that is half lit and I don't care! Of course this is the year I am hosting a New Year's Eve party!!! If I serve enough alcohol, maybe no one will notice ;)

I bought the Lightkeeper Pro last weekend and it worked at getting my outdoor garland lit again! :) At first I didn't think it was working. TIP: Make sure the socket is fitting into the holder really well before clicking the gun.

kmcg,

If one bulb is missing that would do it. So, I'd locate it if at all possible, and replace it. That's why they told me to replace a burnt out bulb as soon as you can; if the string has one go out, it will eventually take them all out with it. But if you replace it, the others should go back on, too.

Or, just add your own string of lights to the section that is out. And, of course, the alcohol thing will work in your favor....

Off to find a replacement bulb today...oh and maybe a cup of eggnog will help while I'm searching for that one bulb! :)

kmcg, did the tree have replacement bulbs with it? They usually do. Ours were taped to the "trunk" section. The trick is, the small lights are all different. It may be hard to find one that will work. They taught me to pull the green part of the bulb from the socket, then pull just the glass part of the bulb from it. You can insert another glass part (they are interchangeable), but you may have to pull the wires apart and thread them through holes in the base, if there are any. The key is that the wires need to make contact with the base of the socket. I've described how mine worked, yours may be different. If you can, I'd go to the place where you got the tree and see if they have bulbs that are exactly like the ones you have. (You'll need to bring a bulb in with you.) Sounds like a pain, and it is, but once you get the hang of this it's no big deal.

"Off to find a replacement bulb today...oh and maybe a cup of eggnog will help while I'm searching for that one bulb! :)"

Only if it has plenty of bourbon in it. :) I really miss my grandmothers eggnog. Fattening, addictive and GOOD!

"Only if it has plenty of bourbon in it. :)"

Is there any other kind?