Aussie Christmas Co.
Christmas Tree Buying Guide
The right Christmas tree fits your space, suits your decorating style and makes setting up something to look forward to. Whether you want a slim tree for an apartment corner or a full pre-lit centrepiece for the living room, start with three decisions: height, width and lighting.
At Aussie Christmas Co., we’re an Australian-owned dedicated Christmas store. This guide helps you compare the details that matter, so you can choose confidently.
Your quick choosing guide
| Your priority | What to look for |
|---|---|
| An easier lighting setup | A pre-lit tree with the light colour and functions you prefer |
| A smaller floor footprint | A slim or pencil tree; compare the actual width |
| A generous traditional shape | A full-width tree with room for branches and decorations |
| A tree against a wall | A half tree; check its depth and stand dimensions |
| A snowy Christmas look | A frosted or snow-flocked tree |
| Freedom to change your lights | An unlit tree with separate light strings |
| A compact seasonal touch | A smaller or tabletop tree |
1. Choose your height
Illustrated heights are proportional. Shapes and widths are illustrative; check each product’s specifications. Leave additional room for your topper.
Measure from the floor to the lowest obstruction above your chosen spot. Allow for your topper, ceiling clearance and any furniture the tree will sit on. Ceiling fans, pendant lights and sloping ceilings can reduce the usable height.
Use the centimetre measurement in each product’s specifications when planning your space. Feet labels describe the size category, and advertised centimetre heights can vary between models.
Our 6FT trees are advertised at 180cm and our 7FT trees at 210cm. Always confirm the individual listing before ordering.
Will a 7FT tree fit?
A tree advertised at 210cm beneath a 240cm ceiling leaves 30cm above the tree before adding a topper. If your topper extends 20cm above the tree, that leaves around 10cm of clearance. Measure how far the topper actually projects above the treetop, rather than assuming its whole length sits above it.
Choosing between sizes
A 6FT tree can suit rooms where you want more space above the tree or a smaller overall display. A 7FT tree offers more height and presence, provided its width also suits the room. An 8FT or 9FT tree needs careful checking against ceiling height and overhead fittings. Smaller trees can suit bedrooms, secondary displays or homes where a full-height tree would take up too much space.
Height is only half the decision. Two trees of the same height can occupy very different amounts of floor space.
Browse 6FT Christmas trees · Browse 7FT Christmas trees · Browse 8FT Christmas trees
2. Choose a shape that fits
Measure the available width and depth, including room to move past the tree. Keep doorways, walkways and access to furniture clear.
Full-width trees
A full-width tree has a broad, traditional outline and gives decorations plenty of space across the branches. It suits a display where you have room for the tree to spread out. Check the widest measurement, which is usually near the base of the foliage.
Slim trees
A slim tree offers height with a narrower footprint. This can work well beside furniture or in a smaller living area. “Slim” is a style description, so compare the actual dimensions rather than relying on the name alone.
Pencil trees
Pencil trees have a particularly narrow outline. They can suit tight corners or secondary displays where floor space is limited. Check the stand dimensions as well as the foliage width.
Half trees
A half tree is designed for placement against a wall, giving you a festive display with less depth. Check its width, depth and base dimensions to make sure the whole tree fits your chosen spot.
A practical way to check the footprint
Mark the tree’s advertised width on the floor with removable tape, checking first that the tape is suitable for your flooring. For a round tree advertised at 120cm wide, allow approximately a 120cm by 120cm area for the foliage. Leave extra room for decorations extending beyond the branches.
3. Decide between pre-lit and unlit
Pre-lit trees
Pre-lit trees have lights already fitted to the branches, saving the job of winding separate strings around the tree. You’ll still need to assemble and shape the tree, connect any lighting sections as instructed and arrange the power lead.
Before choosing, check:
- Light colour: warm white, cool white or multicolour.
- LED count and how the lights are distributed.
- Whether the tree has steady lighting, multiple modes or colour options.
- Power requirements and the supplied lead or adaptor details.
Features differ between products. A multicolour tree does not necessarily switch to white, and multiple lighting modes do not necessarily mean adjustable brightness.
Unlit trees
An unlit tree lets you choose your own light colour, number of strings and placement. It also gives you the option to change your lighting style in future seasons. Allow time to fit and remove the lights, and check that any separate lights are suitable for their intended use.
Explore pre-lit Christmas trees
4. Understand LED counts
LED count tells you how many lights are fitted. It doesn’t tell you everything about the finished effect. Tree height, width, branch layout and the position of the lights all affect how the display looks.
A slim tree with 200 LEDs can have a very different appearance from a full-width tree with the same count. Compare trees of similar dimensions, and look at illuminated product photographs alongside the specifications.
Warm white generally gives a softer, golden appearance. Cool white has a crisper look, while multicolour creates a more colourful display. Product images can help you choose, although screens and room lighting can affect how colours appear.
Customer favourites
Two popular choices for different spaces: a full-width festive centrepiece and a slim tree with a smaller footprint.
5. Compare foliage and branch tips
Branch tips are the smaller foliage ends that help form the tree’s outline. A higher tip count can contribute to a fuller appearance, but the count should be considered alongside tree size, shape, foliage material and branch design.
A narrow tree naturally needs fewer tips to fill its outline than a broad tree. Tip counts are most useful when comparing trees with similar dimensions and construction.
PVC and PE foliage
PVC foliage commonly uses cut material to create the needles. PE foliage commonly uses moulded branch tips for a more sculpted appearance. Some trees combine both materials. Check the product specification for the composition; a material label alone doesn’t establish the tree’s overall fullness or quality.
Look at the unlit photographs to assess the foliage, and check close-ups where available. Lighting and decorations can make it harder to judge the branch structure.
6. Choose your finish
Traditional green
Green foliage provides a versatile base for classic red and gold, natural tones, bright colours or a different theme each year.
Frosted and snow-flocked
These finishes give the foliage a wintery appearance. The amount and coverage vary by model, so compare close-up images. Some loose flocking may come away during handling; follow the supplied care instructions and protect nearby surfaces during assembly.
Coloured trees
A coloured tree can become part of the decorating theme itself. Consider how the foliage will look in your room during the day, as well as when the lights are on.
7. Plan for assembly and shaping
An artificial tree usually needs shaping after unpacking. Branches are compressed for transport and storage, so the tree may initially look narrower or more open than expected.
Follow the model’s instructions. Work through the sections methodically, opening branches and spreading the smaller tips to fill gaps. Step back regularly to check the outline from the angles you’ll see in the room.
Hinged branches can simplify assembly, but they still need shaping. Confirm the assembly method and what is included in the individual listing.
For pre-lit models, check the lights according to the instructions before adding decorations, so connections are easy to reach.
8. Think about storage before you buy
Consider where the packed tree will live between Christmases. Check packed dimensions where provided, especially for larger models. A tree that fits the living room may still need a substantial storage space.
When packing away, remove decorations and follow the instructions for folding branches and disconnecting lighting sections. Store the tree clean and dry in a suitable box or storage bag. Check a bag’s dimensions and capacity rather than relying only on its advertised tree-height allowance.
9. Compare the complete tree
When comparing prices, consider what you’re getting together: dimensions, shape, foliage, lighting, assembly and included accessories. A larger LED count or tip count is only one part of the choice.
Choose the features that matter in your home. A slim tree can be a better fit than a wider model with more branches. An unlit tree can be ideal if you enjoy changing your lights. A pre-lit tree can suit you if making lighting setup easier is the priority.
Before you order
- Confirm the advertised height in centimetres.
- Measure width, depth and stand space.
- Allow room for a topper and overhead fittings.
- Check light colour, functions and power requirements.
- Read what is included and whether decorations shown are supplied.
- Check indoor or outdoor suitability. Use outdoors only when the listing expressly permits it, following any separate restrictions for electrical components.
- Use the postcode checker on the product page to confirm delivery availability.
Shipping is free on every order. Some remote postcodes are excluded due to carrier restrictions. Please use a street address, as we can’t deliver to PO boxes or parcel lockers.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 6FT or 7FT tree better for my room?
Start with measurements. Compare the advertised centimetre heights, allow for your topper, and then check width. A slim 7FT tree may take up less floor space than a full-width 6FT tree, even though it is taller.
Does a higher branch-tip count mean a better tree?
Not by itself. Compare similar heights, widths, materials and shapes, then consider tip count alongside the photographs. How thoroughly the branches are shaped also affects the finished appearance.
Are pre-lit trees already decorated?
Pre-lit means the lights are fitted. Baubles, ribbons, toppers and other decorations are included only when the product listing specifically says so.
Can I replace lights on a pre-lit tree?
This depends on the lighting system. Check the model’s instructions or contact us about the specific product before buying if replaceable lights are a priority. Don’t assume every pre-lit tree uses individually replaceable bulbs.
Can I use an indoor tree outside under cover?
Only use a tree outdoors when its specifications and instructions allow it. An undercover location can still expose it to moisture and weather. Check the tree, lights, connections and power supply requirements.
How do I make my tree look fuller?
Careful shaping makes a difference. Open and position the branches according to the instructions, spread the tips in different directions and check for gaps from several angles before decorating.
Ready to find your tree?
Start with the dimensions that fit your home, then choose the shape and lighting you’ll enjoy decorating year after year.
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