Christmas Tree Buying Guide – How to Choose the Perfect Christmas Tree

It’s only through dedicated research, analysis, and testing that we’ve been able to identify five things that make choosing a Hammacher Schlemmer Christmas tree worthwhile:

• Optimal width and the perfect height
• Branch tips that look just right
• Technology for the best light
• Assembly that’s a delight
• When the holidays are over, they’re easy to keep out of sight

The Space Defines The Tree

The best Christmases are ones when a tree topper stands fully upright and when a tree looks almost as if it belongs in a space year-round. We help you accomplish both with a careful look at the right height and width.

TREE HEIGHT

You’ll want at least 6” of clearance between the top of a tree and your ceiling, which takes into consideration your preferred tree topper and any stand that may add height to a tree.

Therefore, if you have an 8’ ceiling and a 6” tree topper, you’d be looking for a 7½’-tall tree.

Our trees’ heights are measured from the floor to the topmost tip.

TABLETOP

For smaller rooms or on a table.

4 TO 5½ FEET

For lower-ceiling, top-floor/attic rooms.

6 TO 6½ FEET

For using taller tree toppers with 8’ ceilings.

7 TO 7½ FEET

The standard tree for 8’-celing homes and 6”-high tree toppers.

8 TO 8½ FEET

For vaulted or tray ceilings.

9 TO 9½ FEET

For taller vaulted or tray ceilings.

12 FEET OR MORE

For grand, open interiors where height poses no impediment.

TREE WIDTH

Selecting one of our three widths helps you best fit your space, resulting in a holiday display that catches and holds attention.

Our trees’ widths are measured from the widest point at the tree near its bottom.

SLIM

Narrow and compact, but striking when placed in a tight space or corner.

Shop Slim Trees

MEDIUM

A blend of girth and slenderness ideal for smaller rooms and condos.

Shop Medium Trees

FULL

The classic fullness of a Christmas tree from yesteryear.

Shop Full Trees

Christmas Tree Branch Tips and Profile

Our Christmas trees authentically replicate the needles and colors of the Noble Fir (Abies procera), Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri), and Concolor Fir (Abies concolor) using three-dimensional, injection-molded polyurethane (PE) branch tips. Fullness toward the interior of the Christmas tree trunk is achieved by subtly mixing PVC with PE tips. The combination of PVC and PE branches and tips results in the Christmas tree’s profile, also known as its index. This index measures how far the branches extend from the trunk. A high index means the Christmas tree has wider gaps between branches (think of your hand with fingers spread apart), while a lower index means the Christmas tree has fewer gaps (similar to the outer profile of your fingertips when your fingers are close together). A higher index allows more room for ornaments, while a lower index provides less space but offers better support for heavier ornaments.

Many of our customers choose a high-index Christmas tree for a more ornament-rich display and a second, lower-index Christmas tree for a more natural, minimalist look.

The combination of PVC and PE branches and tips results in a tree’s profile, also called its index. This is the degree to which branches protrude from the interior of the tree. A high index means a tree with longer gaps between each branch (your hand held with fingers spread apart) while a lower index means a tree with fewer gaps (just the outer profile of your fingertips when you keep your fingers together). Higher indexes provide more space for more ornaments; lower indexes provide less space, but support heavier ornaments.

Many of our customers will select a high-index tree for lots of ornaments and a second, lower-index tree for a less decorated, natural look.

Noble

Our most popular tree, with long branches supporting flat yet slightly curving needles with blunt tips. Our Noble trees have a high index that yields a natural look that allows you to hang many different types, shapes, and sizes of ornaments and ribbons.

Shop Noble Trees

Douglas

Thick branches supporting long, tapered flat needs that protrude singly from a tip. Our Douglas trees have the least amount of index, resulting in a look of dense foliage with few spaces or breaks in its outer profile. Though with less gaps for hanging more ornaments, the long, thick branches are ideal for hanging heavier ornaments, but can still be decorated with any type of ornament or ribbon.

Shop Douglas Trees

Fraser

Long narrow branches supporting flat, rounded needles in spiraling rows of two on each tip. Our Fraser trees have the highest index of all our trees, resulting is the classic Christmas tree look. Ideal for accommodating the greatest number of ornaments, long finials, or ribbons of any kind. Though a subjective measure, the Fraser is considered the most contemporary by some.

Shop Fraser Trees

Concolor

Growing in popularity, with branches supporting thin needles with bluntly pointed tips that emanate from a tip in clustered ranks. Our Concolor trees have a lower index that provides both the benefit of ornamental variety and natural density.

Shop Concolor Trees

Cutting-Edge Christmas Tree Lighting Technology

Each of our pre-lit Christmas trees is equipped with premium-quality lighting, ensuring a brilliant and long-lasting display. Choose from traditional incandescent lights for a classic warm glow, energy-efficient LEDs for a vibrant, modern look, or mesmerizing fiber optic lights for a unique touch.

For those looking to elevate their holiday décor, our Light Show Christmas trees feature advanced LED technology, creating a dazzling, dynamic display that will captivate and delight.

Incandescent

Traditional lights that generate clear, cheerful white or multicolor. If one bulb burns out, superior wiring technology contains the outage to only the strand to which it is attached – the rest stay lit, allowing you to replace a bulb easily with confidence. Some prefer this type of light because it is sometimes perceived as more “twinkly”.

Available in:

White

Multicolor

Shop Incandescent Trees

LED

Light-emitting diode technology provides the same clear white light as a traditional incandescent and the same sparkling array of multicolor light, but are built with circuitry that isolates an outage to a single light on a strand. LED replacement is as easy as incandescent bulb replacement, but rarely is required.

Available in:

White

Multicolor

Shop LED Trees

Fiber Optic

Technically a bulb-less light, flexible synthetic fibers convey cheerful white or multicolor light in a multitude of color variations and effects.

Available in:

White

Multicolor

Shop Fiber Optic Trees

Light Show

Our Light Show trees utilize LED technology to create mesmerizing light shows of color that fade in and out, sparkle, or flash.

Available in:

White

Multicolor

Shop Light Show Trees

Christmas Tree Light Colors

The light colors of a Christmas tree are essential in creating the perfect holiday atmosphere for your home. Each lighting option brings a unique mood to different spaces. For a classic and sophisticated look, many choose the soft, warm white lights that evoke the serenity of a snowy Yuletide evening, especially in a living room bay window where their glow can be seen from outside. This timeless style sets a peaceful and inviting tone for gatherings with family and friends.

Multicolor lights bring a sense of joy and excitement, making them perfect for more playful settings like family rooms. These vibrant colors reflect the magic of the season, especially when paired with stockings hung by the fireplace, presents under the tree, and children eagerly awaiting Christmas morning. The festive sparkle of multicolor lights helps transform any space into a lively holiday wonderland.

Whether you prefer the traditional elegance of warm white or the lively energy of multicolor, the right light color can help your Christmas tree become the centerpiece of your holiday décor, making every moment feel even more magical.

White

The traditional warm white of Christmas.

Shop White Light Trees

Multicolored

A scintillating array of color that imparts merriment to Christmas.

Shop Multicolored Trees

Effortless Christmas Tree Assembly

Setting up your Christmas tree shouldn’t be a hassle, and with our innovative assembly design, it’s never been easier. Our pre-lit Christmas trees feature integrated lighting technology built directly into each trunk section—an advanced feature typically found only on the highest quality trees. This design eliminates the need to manually connect individual light strands, making the process smooth and stress-free.

When assembling the tree, all you need to do is connect the sections together. Once all three parts of the tree are aligned, the internal wiring completes a circuit automatically, lighting up your Christmas tree instantly. This means you won’t have to worry about reaching deep into the branches to connect multiple strands of lights. The entire setup is streamlined, leaving you with a fully lit tree that’s ready to decorate in minutes.

With just a simple plug into an AC outlet, your Christmas tree is transformed into a glowing centerpiece, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the holiday spirit with family and less time struggling with tangled wires or complicated setups. It’s the perfect balance of convenience and high-quality design, ensuring your Christmas tree shines brightly with minimal effort.

Step 1

Base of tree with lights

Step 2

2nd piece with lights

Step 3

Full tree with lights on

Shaping and Decorating Your Christmas Tree

Achieving the perfect look for your Christmas tree is simple with our easy-to-shape branches. Each branch tip is crafted using durable 20-gauge memory wire, a feature that allows you to effortlessly shape your Christmas tree to create a lush, natural appearance. This premium material ensures that your tree retains its shape season after season, making it both a long-lasting and hassle-free option for holiday decorating.

The shaping process is made even easier by using light gloves, allowing you to adjust the branches to your desired fullness without the need for any complicated tools or excessive handling. With a few simple adjustments, you can create the look of a freshly cut tree, complete with beautifully spaced and full branches that are ready to showcase your favorite ornaments and decorations.

Whether you prefer a minimalist approach with a few carefully placed ornaments or a fully adorned Christmas tree overflowing with holiday cheer, the flexibility of our branch tips makes decorating enjoyable and stress-free. Plus, the memory wire helps the branches bounce back to their original form, ensuring your tree looks picture-perfect year after year.

Step 1

Shape the branches, starting with the branches closest to the center pole.

Step 2

Shape branches two at a time. Work your way from the center towards the outside of the tree.

Step 3

Step back and see if there are any holes that need to be filled or refluffed.

Easy Christmas Tree Storage

Storing your Christmas tree after the holidays should be just as effortless as setting it up, and with our thoughtfully designed trees, it is. Disassembly is quick and straightforward, thanks to the same intuitive system that makes assembly a breeze. Once the festive season comes to an end, simply disconnect the tree’s sections, and it’s ready for storage in no time.

Our trees are designed for convenience, ensuring that each section is easy to handle and compact enough to be stored neatly in the provided storage bag or your own container. The high-quality materials, including durable branches and memory wire, ensure the tree maintains its shape and quality even after being stored away for months. This means when the next holiday season rolls around, your Christmas tree will come out of storage looking just as beautiful as when you first assembled it.

With minimal effort required, storing your Christmas tree allows you to spend less time worrying about packing it away and more time enjoying the holiday spirit. Plus, our trees are built to last, so you can count on using the same tree year after year without the hassle of extensive maintenance or complicated storage solutions.

Step 1

Disconnect each pole section and begin to place the sections of the tree inside the storage bag.

Step 2

Secure the tree sections with the interior straps and tighten to secure.

Step 3

Close the bags zipper and secure the outside straps. Ensure both straps are tight.