Fiber Optic Christmas Tree

The fiber optic Christmas tree is actually a topic I was going to try and at least touch on last year but well, you know me, I didn't get to it in time. However, as the saying goes, better late than never and here it is.

First of all, just in case it isn't apparent, I'll tell you upfront that NASA isn't scrambling to hire me as one of their rocket scientists. Still, I'll take a stab at a fast and dirty explanation of fiber optics, at least as they apply for our subject matter.

Fiber optics are plastic or glass strands, about the thickness of a human hair. If they're made of other materials, I don't know what they are. Anyway, these strands are far more efficient carriers of light than metal and can be used in a variety of ways, including to pretty up your Christmas tree. I know, that doesn't tell you a whole lot but I'll confess that I just shared with you everything I know about them. I did say fast and dirty.

Consumers like fiber optic Christmas trees. They're pretty, convenient and offer a different display from what most of us have lived with all our lives. You know what they say about a change being as good as a rest. It can perk you up to see something new.

I don't own one of these beauties but as I understand it, they come in a ton of sizes yet most people lean towards the smaller ones, or tabletop trees. Not sure why that is but they'll shed a pretty glow, no matter what. Best of all, you won't have to string the lights yourself, which makes them A-okay in my book.

As you can see below in the YouTube video, the actual tree 'needles' light up. I believe that's the fiber optic part of an artificial Christmas tree (yup, NASA should be calling any day now). The owners of this tree have also optioned for a tree that is pre-lit, to add that traditional holiday feel that we all want for the festive season. I mean, really, is it even possible to have too many lights on a Christmas tree? Okay, the Christmas Vacation movie just popped into my head, which could make a case against too much illumination.

If you are thinking about going with a fiber optic Christmas tree this year, I do know that Nextag is selling them. The ones I saw started at around $40 and went up from there to around a couple of hundred dollars for full sized trees.

Pros and Cons of Artificial Christmas Trees

We've talked about how great real trees are and yes, I have mostly trashed the fake ones. Case in point - see my post about Pink Christmas trees. However jaded I may be about plastic knock-offs, I can see certain advantages to them. In the spirit of fairness, I have come up with a personal list of pros and cons of artificial Christmas trees. If you are more open-minded than I am about them, you may have even more for the 'pros' side.


The Pros of Artificial Christmas Trees

• Saves you having to go out to find and purchase the "perfect" real tree
• More economical - buy once, use for many years
• Predictability - you always know how big it will be and what it's going to look like
• No needles to clean up
• No worry about watering
• The cats won't likely climb the trunk
• Easy to get rid of after Christmas, no dragging through the house and out to the curb
• No worry about placing too close to the heat vent because it won't dry out
• You don't have to worry about or buy a safe tree stand
• You can shape and place the branches to sit where you want them
• If you have the room, you can store them decorated for the following year

The Cons of Artificial Christmas Trees

• You must store them properly to keep them clean and uncrushed
• They can be time consuming to assemble
• The branches can get badly bent out of shaped or flattened
• Initial outlay can be costly if you want a very large or spectacular tree
• They don't look smell like a real tree
• The tradition of family outings to get the tree is lost
• You may become bored with the same tree every year
• Cheap artificial trees look very fake - you can usually see through to the centre

Well, there you have it, my personal list of the pros and cons of artificial Christmas trees. I have a feeling that I'll be adding to this list. Meantime, check out a few of the artificial trees that Amazon is offering this year.

     

Pink Christmas Trees - Not Just for Barbie Anymore

Pink Christmas Trees - so Barbie-esque!

Okay, let's have a show of hands - who doesn't love pink Christmas trees? Uh-huh, that's what I thought. My hand was up, too.

Although that much pink makes me think of Barbie and taffeta, there are people who just love the colour on their tree, apparently. I've heard rumblings and rumours that pink Christmas trees are making a come back, I just haven't been able to fathom why yet. I'm not saying they're not pretty, just mentioning that they don't put me in the traditional Christmas spirit. Rather, I get the feeling that little ballerinas in tutus are about to jump out and start performing Swan Lake or something. They truly do make me think of Barbie every time I see one. That's just me, I guess.

Believe it or not, pink Christmas tree sales are on the rise. I've tried imagining a family sitting around fluffy pink boughs, digging out gifts from Santa. I'm usually pretty good at visualization but I just can't pull this one off. If you happen to have a picture of something like that, please send it to me and I'll post it on here.

Actually, I can see a very good and practical use for these symbols of femininity. They would be perfect for brand recognition in the corporate offices of Mary Kay Cosmetics or at a Breast Cancer Awareness function, for example. I can picture the Barbie-esque trees in those situations, just not my (or anyone else's) home.

Just in case, you love pink Christmas trees, here's a few for you to look at:

   

Aluminum Christmas Trees, Very Retro

When I was a little girl, my maternal grandparents had an artificial tree. It was the first one I ever saw. I remember thinking how hideous and unnatural it looked, all silver and shiny....and spindly. At the time, I was too young to know anything about aluminum Christmas trees, had no idea such a thing existed outside of my grandparent's home. I couldn't fathom why they liked it or that anyone else would have such an ugly Christmas tree. I had no idea that it was a fashionable trend at the time.

While looking for some information about aluminum Christmas trees for this post, I discovered that there is an actual Aluminum Tree Museum. Who knew? Who would want it?

I couldn't help myself, I had to click on the link to see what on earth was on the site. Touting itself as "The World's Only Museum Dedicated to Vintage Aluminum Trees", it's the only place (online, at least) where you can get glimpses of aluminum trees past. Oye. Maybe you'll love these but they are not my cup of tea.

If you want to have a look-see, here's the link: Aluminum Christmas Trees - Only Vintage Museum.