I decided it was time to organize my craft area by finding a way to display some craft collectibles. I chose a pre-lit decorative tree to display my Cricut Cuties.
I purchased a four-foot pre-lit artificial Montclair Spruce from National Tree Company. The tree cost $43.99 when purchased in September 2023, and at that price, I was willing to chance that it would be tall enough but not too tall as decorative décor. Because I wanted to display the tree year-round as a decorative tree rather than solely as a Christmas tree, I needed a decorative base as part of the tree. The purchase led to this decorative indoor tree review.
The tree came packaged with the two sections resting on top of each other but connected due to the string of lights and the stand to the side of these. The package included a card with a website address for assembly instructions, but it took me to the company main page, and after searching for a bit for assembly instructions without finding them on the site, I decided to assemble it with some guessing. The pole in the center of the top section of branches is inserted into a pole of the bottom section of branches. I had difficulty seeing the poles through the branches, so I used my fingers to feel for the ends of the poles so I could assemble the tree. The pole on the bottom section of branches is inserted into the stand.
The tree was overall very satisfactory for the price. The stand, although a little lightweight, adds the decorative touch that I wanted. Inspecting the stand up-close reveals obvious seams where sections of the base come together. However, once the tree is positioned on the floor, the seams cannot be seen unless you are on the floor with your face close to the stand. Once the tree is assembled and positioned, the decorative stand is not an issue.
Once I shaped the branches, the tree was approximately 15 inches in diameter and appeared to be full enough. I was concerned that it would be too sparse, but that was not the result. The branches were appropriately colored and did not have an obvious fake look to them. The individual branches contained enough needles so they did not look too bare. The branches at the top are quite short due to the tree being small, so I did have concerns about decorating the tree (with general décor or with Christmas ornaments) using ornament hooks. My fear was the decorations would slide to the end of the branches if they were too heavy and fall off, possibly tipping over the tree. The lightweight base of the tree also added to this concern. I secured my decorations to the branches with ribbon and made sure I balanced the weight of the decorations on the tree, and this method worked fine.
Another observation regarding decorating is the stability of the center pole that connects the top and bottom sections. I was initially concerned due to the pole in the top section of branches rotating inside the pole in the bottom branches when I moved or bumped the tree slightly to plug it in or unplug it. I did not have issues with the top section spinning when I was tying on decorations, but some movement may occur during decorating. I chose to plug the tree into a smart switch so I could easily turn the tree on and off through home automation. Not only did this add convenience, but it prevented me from bumping the tree or spinning the top of the tree when attempting to plug or unplug it.
The tree is tall enough (four feet from the bottom of the stand to the top of the tree) for ambiance in a room without overpowering the area or obstructing wall art. Although the lights are not overly abundant, it does emit enough light to give a relaxing glow in the dark.
Once the tree was in place, it added a nice touch to the room and looked appropriate. Overall, this is a good option for many craft rooms, apartments, and entryways, especially when you consider the reasonable price for the tree. The tree will work well for you if you use it without heavy decorations, use it in a space that will not be accidentally bumped or if you control it with an automatic switch, or if you need an indoor decorative tree to fill in a small space or to add a little style to your space.
I would not recommend this tree if it might be tipped over in a high-traffic area. This tree would also not be a good choice if you have children or pets that might bump into it, or you require a more heavy-duty tree for year-round decorations or seasonal ornaments.
Whether you let the lights do all the style work for you or if you use your artistic skills to decorate it, you will enjoy this tree all year.
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