Why timing matters and what you need to know before buying a commercial Christmas tree.
Why does timing matter when buying a fake tree? It’s not like it takes time to grow.
Well… sort of. Commercial Christmas trees are a completely different beast than your traditional big-box store tree. Unlike mass-produced retail trees that sit on shelves waiting to be bought, commercial-grade Christmas trees are built to order, using heavy-duty materials designed to meet the needs of public spaces. That means timing plays a crucial role in ensuring you get the perfect tree for your holiday display.
Customization Takes Time
Commercial trees come in a variety of sizes, styles, and configurations. Whether you need a 30-foot centerpiece for a town square or a slim, elegant tree for a shopping center entrance, these trees require careful planning and production. Many trees can be customized with one-of-a-kind LED light shows, unique ornaments, or structural reinforcements to meet safety standards. The earlier you place your order, the more options you’ll have for customization.
It’s the Most Wonderful Price of the Year
Much like gasoline prices, costs drop when demand is low. Many commercial décor retailers offer discounts and incentives when buying as early as January. Ordering your commercial decorations early will provide businesses with better pricing, allow municipalities to better distribute budget expenses, and allow for more customization and complex design options.
City Sidewalks Dressed in Holiday Style
A towering commercial Christmas tree isn’t something you can pop out of a box and set up in an hour. Large-scale holiday installations require coordination with property managers, decorators, and sometimes even city officials for permits and placement logistics. Ordering early ensures that your tree arrives on time and that your team has ample opportunity to plan and execute a flawless installation.
Keep These In Mind While Shopping
Here are some things to consider when deciding when to buy an artificial Christmas tree:
1. Choose the right size
Commercial Christmas trees come in a variety of sizes, some towering over 100 feet tall. However, when choosing the right-sized tree for your lobby or interior space, you may want to steer clear of 100-foot trees (unless that’s your vibe). In which case, we don’t judge. If you plan on using a tree topper, allow for at least one foot of clearance from the top of your tree to the ceiling.
Another key factor to consider is depth perception. Just like ground-mounted displays and pole-mounted decorations, commercial trees are significantly larger than traditional residential trees for a good reason. A 15-foot tree placed indoors will feel much more massive than the same 15-foot tree outdoors due to the enclosed space and surrounding architectural elements. High ceilings, open atriums, and spacious lobbies can help balance the scale, while smaller rooms may make even a moderately tall tree feel overwhelming.
Additionally, consider sightlines and foot traffic. A tree that looks perfect in an open plaza may feel obstructive in a busy lobby or retail space. Ensuring there’s ample space around the tree for guests to admire it—without disrupting movement—is just as important as choosing the right height. A well-placed commercial tree should enhance the environment, not overpower it.
2. Choose the right materials
There are two major materials that are used to make artificial Christmas tree needles: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE). People tend to refer to these two kinds of needles as “paper and rubber,” which isn’t too far off from what they actually are.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), commonly known as vinyl, is one of the most widely used synthetic plastics, with approximately 40 million tons produced annually. Its affordability and versatility make it a cost-effective choice for various applications, including artificial Christmas trees. Most manufacturers use PVC to create tree needles, helping to keep costs down for end consumers.
Polyethylene (PE) is the most common type of plastic and is often referred to as “rubber needles” when used in artificial Christmas trees. PE needles are known for their more realistic, lifelike appearance compared to PVC needles, offering a softer, more natural feel. This makes PE a popular choice for higher-quality trees that aim to replicate the look and texture of a real evergreen, providing a fuller, more authentic look.
Then, there’s the combination of both Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Polyethylene (PE), often referred to as PE/PVC. This isn’t a mixture of two types of plastic but rather a combination of two types of needles. Higher-quality trees, such as our branched tower trees, Vickerman trees, and Balsam Hill trees, use both PE and PVC needles for a more realistic and durable design. PE needles are typically used on the outer branch tips, where ornaments will be placed and where people are likely to touch the tree. These needles give the tree a lifelike, natural look. PVC needles are used deeper inside the tree, closer to the center pole, to fill in any gaps and provide a fuller appearance at a more cost-effective price.
3. Lighting Options
There are so many lighting options for Christmas trees; it’s a bit overwhelming. So we’ll try to make this short and sweet. There are two major kinds of lights, LED and incandescent. LED lights are the most popular choice due to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and bright, vivid colors. These lights can bring your operating costs down dramatically, making them ideal for any application where a large number of lights are needed. Incandescent lights are still favored among the nostalgia crowd. Though they’re less energy-efficient than LED lights, they offer a more diffused light and a more traditional look. However, incandescent lights generate more heat and can be a fire hazard when not used properly.
Bulb choice is also very important. There are many different kinds of bulbs to choose from, and it really boils down to personal preference. You can view our selection of replacement bulbs and compare the differences.
We’re often asked which lighting option we recommend. Surprisingly, we recommend unlit trees for many reasons.
- Lower Cost: Unlit trees are typically more affordable than pre-lit options, helping to reduce your initial investment.
- More Customizable: With an unlit tree, you have the freedom to choose and change the lighting style and color each year to fit different themes or preferences. You can mix and match different types of lights (LED, incandescent, colored, or clear) to suit your design vision for the season.
- Easier to Replace Damaged Light Strands: If a light strand gets damaged, it’s much easier to replace or update it without the need to worry about disassembling or repairing built-in lighting systems.
- Easier to Store: Without built-in lights, storage is simpler as you only need to store the tree itself and the lights separately, which can prevent damage to the lights and wiring.
Commercial Christmas trees are an absolute must for organizations that want to decorate for the holiday season, but there are many factors to keep in mind. Ultimately, the type of tree and lighting comes down to your budget and personal preference. But, no matter the preference, buying your commercial Christmas tree as early as possible is crucial in avoiding unnecessary stress and penny-pinching.
Deciding when and what commercial Christmas tree to buy can be confusing, but thankfully you’re here with Commercial Holiday Decor. We’re here to help you get the best commercial tree for your space, and at the best price. Whether you’re looking for the most economical choice or the tallest tree in the world, we’re here to make commercial decorating affordable and memorable.
Contact us for a custom quote today!