Artificial Christmas trees, Real Christmas trees, Christmas decorations | Christmas Tree Company

What makes us different?

Quality is what sets us apart from all the other Christmas retailers out there. We take great professional pride in what we do; this drives us to present only the best products available. We scour the UK's finest suppliers to make this possible, what's more we believe we have priced our superior quality products very competitively when compared against the best of the rest.

What does this mean? Simple, you get Quality, Choice and Low Prices.

What exactly is a PE Artificial Christmas tree? This is a question we are asked on a regular basis, and with the increase in popularity of this type of tree over recent years, we have written this article to explain the 'ins and outs' of Polyethylene better known as PE. This article should go some way to explaining what PE is, the process involved in manufacturing a PE Artificial Christmas tree and the benefits of purchasing a PE Artificial Christmas tree and how they compare to a regular Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Christmas trees - happy reading!

Essentially these are two types of plastic. PVC and PE are the least expensive plastic to produce, and in their 'raw' form they are produced as small pellets before being melted and moulded in to a useable product. There are actually two types of PE pellets and many companies do not differentiate which is used in their products, just for the record our PE Artificial Christmas trees use the more expensive version delivering a higher quality tree that retains its colour and shape longer, so beware of a lesser quality tree, but I digress and that is a separate article coming soon!

Back to this article, PVC is the third most widely produced plastic (after PE which is second). The most common usage for PVC is in our every day products from milk containers to upholstery; where as the lesser form of PE is more commonly found in everyday shopping bags; we could get scientific about the differences here but that would lead to a different article also.

So now you know the basics, your wondering how is my artificial tree produced from a plastic used in shopping bags! Well, as I said there are two types of PE. Our trees use the more expensive version not found in the average shopping bag. So, how is my PE Artificial Christmas tree made?

PE Artificial Christmas trees and their cousins the regular PVC tree are both made of the plastics mentioned. However, our ultra realistic and beautiful PE trees are made with very high quality material modelled from actual real Christmas tree branches which are used as 'forms' to create the mould. The process involves the plastic being injected into a tree branch mould, this mould is directly shaped in the form of a real tree branch, and this helps to create our very realistic artificial Christmas trees.

What is the difference between the two you ask? PE made artificial tree branches tend to have more body than their PVC cousins, they are more pliable and the needles on the branches actually look, feel and act like a real tree needle. Unless you are up close and personal with a PE Artificial Christmas tree you would actually find it incredibly difficult to distinguish a difference between that and an actual 'real tree'. They even have an 'uneven' 3-D appearance which is definitely pleasing to the eye and adds character and ultra realism to the tree; the most obvious difference between that and a real tree is the lack of pine scent.

So you know ask; what the benefit of a PE Artificial tree is. Well, apart from the above a PE tree offers a wonderful time saving advantage in that they require little or no shaping, in most cases you can literally take the tree from the box and decorate. There are also countless colours, hues and textures available to choose from. Most PVC Artificial Christmas trees from the 60's and 70's are made with the same type of moulding system that is being used in the market place today. The PE Christmas trees produced today are far superior.
To add even more simplicity, a Pre Lit version of the tree is also available. Using warm white, low voltage and long lasting LED lights, the Pre Lit version of the PE tree is ultra modern, ultra realistic, extremely simple to use, very very long lasting and above all, they are totally realistic and convincing.

PE Artificial Christmas trees and Artificial Christmas Trees.

We all know what a Christmas tree is and we all know about the trees that are available, be it a Real Christmas tree or an Artificial Christmas tree. But how many of us actually know what the Artificial Christmas tree we are purchasing is constructed from, who first manufactured them and how the tree we are buying is produced?

This article follows on from our recent 'PE Artificial Christmas Trees' article, explaining what the PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride ) Christmas tree we are buying is, the process involved in manufacturing this type of Artificial Christmas tree and the benefits of purchasing a PVC Artificial Christmas tree. We hope after reading both of these articles you are armed with all you need to make an informed choice when choosing your perfect artificial tree for Christmas.

So what is PolyVinyl Chloride? PVC, also commonly known as vinyl, is a lightweight and durable synthetic polymer material (or resin), formed by combining ethylene derived from petroleum, natural gas, or coal and chlorine. This type of plastic can be found in numerous everyday products from building construction, interior furnishings, packaging, office supplies, electronics and appliances to medical equipment and vehicle parts to name just a few. Its wide range of use is partly down to the fact that it is durable and fire-resistant making it an ideal material for the humble artificial Christmas tree.

However the Artificial Christmas trees we purchase in the UK market utilise an extremely high quality PVC for the durability required to help an artificial tree last 10 or more years whilst retaining its colour and shape. You can also rest safe in the knowledge that these modern manufactured artificial trees are made with a type of PVC that is chemically and mechanically stable and is safe to use, and believe it or not, can actually be kinder to the environment (in the long term) than a natural 'cut' Christmas tree; I will explain this further on in this article.

The first artificial Christmas tree was invented by a company who made toilet bowl brushes, the Addis Brush Company. However since the first design concept was made into reality the materials used, and the thought process behind the designs, have thankfully progressed rapidly; however it is still interesting to know the that first artificial Christmas tree was actually just a really big green toilet bowl brush!

They are durable, easy to assemble, maintain, decorate and dismantle ready for the next year. There is also the added benefit in that they do not leave pine needles on the floor or leak sap, they do not need to be watered, which can damage floors and carpets, will not have unsightly bare spots, and do not bring the odd bug from the farm where they where grown into the home. The branches are resistant to fading, and they are also crush resistant to keep their shape year after year.

These artificial trees can be produced in a number of different ways, and are predominantly produced in China although there are some quality tree producers in Europe also. The 'needles' of the tree are mostly produced from slices of PVC film. This film is wound around and through shaped metal branches made to different sizes in order to mimic the appearance of a real tree. Although a PVC tree is realistic, once you are within a few feet you will certainty notice that it is artificial, where as a PE tree is barely indecipherable to that of a real Christmas tree.

From an environmental standpoint, modern developments in PVC production means that it now has excellent recyclable properties, allowing manufacturers of artificial trees to recycle scrap PVC from within their own factories. There are also regulations for quality control and safety within PVC production methods. PVC also requires only 70 percent of the energy needed for production compared to other plastics. This translates into less carbon dioxide emissions, making it more environmentally friendly. When compared to a real tree, an artificial actually uses less resources over the course of its 10 - 20 year life, uses less pesticides and substances that can be a danger year on year to wildlife and is a much more affordable option at Christmas time.

Our Frasier Fir Artificial Christmas tree Natural Nursery Cut tree is one of the most traditionally appealing artificial Christmas trees in our selection. From its colour and branch pattern to shape and fullness, this is a truly attractive artificial tree.

The easy hinged design of the Frasier Fir Natural Nursery Cut tree makes it incredibly easy to set up at the beginning of the holiday season, and to return to storage when you are done.
The branches of the Frasier Fir are full and lush, but varied enough to look very natural. The Frasier Fir is a wonderful backdrop for tree lights, baubles, and any other Christmas decoration. This tree's needles are specially designed to be extra soft so the tree is comfortable to the touch.

Deep green in hue, the Frasier Fir is a particularly natural looking artificial Christmas tree. It boasts a depth of color that looks stunning, even adorned very simply. The color also makes this artificial Christmas tree an attractive choice for many different homes, offices, and decorating styles. It is equally well suited to clean, modern decoration and hand-made, traditional folk decoration.

Whether you are decorating your home or office, our Frasier Fir Natural Nursery Cut artificial Christmas tree would make a glowing addition to your Christmas dor, both this year and in seasons to come.

The pre-lit Frasier Fir artificial Christmas tree is classic holiday dor at its very best. In several available heights, the Frasier Fir is one of our most versatile trees, as it works well with many different decorating styles, and in a variety of settings.

With a very natural looking shape, slope, and branch pattern, the Frasier Fir Natural Nursery Cut is designed to look as though it came fresh off the local nursery's tree lot. It comes in a wonderful shade of green: a robust and lively toned hue that is at once vibrant and deep.

Our Frasier Fir artificial Christmas tree is hinged for extremely easy set up and take down. Individual branches are full and varied, creating a very natural look to this tree. What's more, all of our artificial Christmas trees feature extra soft needles, designed to be comfortable to the touch.
As a pre-lit artificial Christmas tree, our Frasier Fir Natural Nursery Cut is wonderful selection. The sophisticated rice lights add a warm, tasteful glow to any room, and are inviting on their own or along with your favorite baubles, garlands, and decorations.

Whether decorating your home or office, our Frasier Fir Natural Nursery Cut artificial Christmas tree is a wonderful way to add realistic color, rustic charm, and holiday tradition to any space.

This article was written with the intention of helping the reader develop knowledge on Artificial Christmas trees. It's worth mentioning early that modern artificial trees can last upwards of ten years, if looked after in the correct way; so it is well worth reading on to find out what type of Artificial Christmas trees are available, the differences between the trees that can be bought, what they are constructed of and the advantages and disadvantages and a few other hints and tips.

We will start with the two main materials that Artificial Christmas trees are produced from. The most common is PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride) also known as vinyl and the other is PE (Polyethylene), which is rapidly growing in popularity.

What is PVC? This is an everyday plastic also commonly known as vinyl. It is a lightweight and durable synthetic polymer material (or resin), formed by combining ethylene derived from petroleum, natural gas, or coal and chlorine. This plastic can be found in products ranging from milk cartons to vehicle parts. When a tree is produced from PVC the result is and attractive, but generally unrealistic looking tree when compared to the more expensive PE version.

So what does a PE tree consist of? PE artificial trees are made with very high quality plastic named Polyethylene. The tree is created and modelled from actual real Christmas tree branches. These real tree branches are used as forms to create the mould, Polyethylene is then injected directly into this mould and this helps to create a very realistic artificial Christmas tree. These trees need little of no shaping when erecting at Christmas time, they are ultra realistic, long lasting and stunningly beautiful - the next best thing to a real Christmas tree.

In general there are two ways Christmas tree manufacturers attach the branches of the trees to the central trunk of the Artificial Christmas tree; hooked and hinged. The hooked method is where you are required to attach or 'hook in' each branch into a bracket that is attached to the artificial Christmas trees trunk each time you affect the tree. Usually these branches are colour coded for ease of construction, so you know in which order you are required to erect the tree. The hook in method usually takes longer to set up and can sometime be frustrating if the colour coded tag is lost. Also with this method as the tree grows older the hook can become bent or misshaped leading to an uneven tree.

The hinged method is the quickest and easiest to assemble of the two methods. This greatly speeds up the construction of the tree each year, and lessens the stress. The branches are permanently attached to the central trunk, with you guessed it, hinges. When you take the tree out of the box the branches simply fold down into the correct position, a bit of fluffing out of the branches and you're done. And when storing the tree you simply fold them back up and store away in the box.

So know you have an idea of what material the tree you buy will consist of and how the branches will be hung on this tree, the next thing to consider is the stand. We would recommend using a solid metal stand only. When you consider that a fully decorated tree can weigh twice as much as the tree you take out of the box, then you can see a solid stand is the only way to go. Most quality Artificial PE trees come complete with a metal stand, so you may want to consider this when weighing up the cost.

Look out for our next article where we will talk about the style of artificial Christmas trees on the market, the colours and the suitability for the home.

The vibrant green of our Kelso Pine artificial Christmas tree will add warmth and merriment to virtually any space this Christmas season. Designed to look incredibly lifelike, the Kelso Pine Natural is an attractive, hinged artificial Christmas tree made with extra soft needles and a lifelike hue and shape.

There are many different types of evergreen trees growing in the wild. Some are dark in hue, while some are a much more lively shade of green. The Kelso Pine Natural is the latter. Its bright green tones are tempered with dark, shadowed accents to add realistic depth to the color. This artificial tree is designed with finely crafted branches of moderate thickness, plus specially designed soft needles to give the Kelso Pine Natural an exceptionally lively (and life-like) look.

As artificial trees go, the hinged design and realistic appearance of the Kelso Pine Artificial Christmas tree makes it a perfect fit for use in both home and business Christmas dor. It lends itself to a variety of decorating styles, pairing well with colored lights or plain white strands alike. It is a lively addition to any room with even moderate decoration, or provides a wonderful backdrop for your family's favorite Christmas decorations.

Selecting an artificial Christmas tree for the festive season can be a stressful experience, especially when you consider the number of trees available, the material they are manufactured from, the sized of tree required and the style and shape that will suit your home. All this adds to a stressful buying experience.

There are two ways to purchase your tree; either online or at the shops, both with their advantages and disadvantages. If you choose to buy online then you really are minimising the stress of buying. Modern ecommerce websites are fast becoming 'the' place to do all your Christmas shopping, and over recent years purchasing your Christmas tree online has become easy.

The only disadvantage is that you do no physically get to see or touch the tree until it arrives at your home, so in rare cases you may not actually like the tree you have purchased, or it may be wider than expected for example. However if this is the case then you can always invoke the 7 day online buying 'cooling off period', which effectively allows you to send your purchase back for a full refund if you are not entirely happy.

If you are purchasing online be sure to check that the site you are using is secure. You can do this by looking for a small padlock icon in the websites address bar, the bar at the top of your internet browser where the websites address is, for example http://www.company.name.co.uk. You should also look around the website and look for any other form of security certificate which verifies the site is secure, and of course look for customer recommendations.

The site you purchase from should give full descriptions of the product; the site should give full Christmas tree specifications for example the size, the number of tips, the material the tree is made from and if it's a pre-lit Christmas tree the site should let you know the number of lights on the tips. The site should also be open about delivery charges and show multiple images of the trees you are looking at.

However to make the best of both worlds when purchasing your artificial Christmas tree, or even your real Christmas tree for that matter, why not visit your local shop or garden centre and then go home and purchase online? By doing this you really are getting the best of both worlds. Visiting the shops, locating the tree you require and physically touching and viewing the tree is a solid way to set about the buying process. This way you get a real feel for the type and size of Christmas tree that suits your needs. You can then go home, search online for a suitable Christmas tree company / retailer and make your purchase armed with all the information you have gathered in-store.

The benefit of doing this is tremendous, you know exactly what you are buying, and the tree will be delivered direct to your door - so no lugging the tree around the shops. If you choose carefully the Christmas tree Company you purchase from will offer free delivery and the biggest bonus of all - the tree you purchase online will in most cases be cheaper than the exact same tree you have just seen in the shops.

The Highland Spruce artificial Christmas tree is a stunning combination of full branches and a deep, rich, blue-green hue. In the wild, evergreens many different shapes, sizes, and colors, and we believe that artificial Christmas trees should do the same.

Different artificial Christmas trees fit in with different styles of Christmas dor. In the case of the Highland Spruce Blue/Green Deluxe, this tree is very well balanced, lending itself both to simplicity and extravagance. White lights look particular attractive on the Highland Spruce, but colored lights work well, too.

The cool color palate of the Highland Spruce Blue/Green Deluxe artificial Christmas tree also lends itself well to use not only in a home, but in an office. Its calming colors are clean and professional, adding tasteful charm to lobbies, offices, and entryways alike.

As a high quality artificial Christmas tree, our Highland Spruce Blue/Green deluxe tree is very well made, with needles designed to be soft, and a body that is easily assembled and disassembled for safe storage each year.

Its thick, full branches also make it versatile. Simple, modern adornment adds a touch of shimmer and lets the tree's fullness bear an inviting presence in any home or workplace. Likewise, more elaborate decoration works very nicely, too, as the Highland Spruce's thick branches suggest robust health, warmth, and life.

Mar 21, 2010 - After an incredibly successful season and many positive reviews of the 'old' ecommerce website the Christmas Tree Company today announces the launce of their redesigned website.

The Christmas Tree Company is celebrating with the launch of their new ecommerce website. The redesigned site is an innovative new ecommerce one, incorporating modern technologies to deliver the best user and navigational experience to their customers. The aim of this site is simple, to improve upon the previous site by listening to their customers requests and comments to deliver a truly unique Christmas product shopping experience.

The Christmas Tree Company website (http://www.christmas-tree-company.co.uk) is the latest venture into cyberspace for the Christmas Tree Company. With the release of their then brand new e-commerce website in the summer of 2009, the new dedicated Christmas Blog launce at the beginning of 2010 (http://www.christmas-tree-company-blog.co.uk) and their ever-presence on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook this is a company that really values and grasps the ever changing technology advancements that can help drive businesses forward, and more importantly, help them to engage and communicate with their customers.

This new website helps to continue the companies' philosophy of continual improvement. It is this philosophy that sees the continual improvement in procurement, for example the imminent arrival of a completely new type of PE Artificial Christmas trees and personalised hand painted baubles not to mention their soon to be released range of bespoke, personalised Christmas crackers.

"The web is filled with inadequate ecommerce websites that are filled with poor navigation, making usability and accessibility impossible for some users" said Mr Myers, director of the Christmas Tree Company. "We want the web to be available for all users, and at the same time extending our reach into the Christmas market. We aim to provide a knowledgeable information based business which helps our customers to make an informed choice when purchasing on our website."

The new website includes pages updated on a weekly basis delivering in depth product news to really help UK consumers to learn about Christmas products available on the market.

The Christmas Tree Company (http://www.christmas-tree-company.co.uk) are fast becoming the webs largest online retailer of Artificial and Real Christmas trees and associated products and services.

The Christmas Tree Company also supply bespoke Christmas decorations and provide Corporate Christmas Tree hire services in the UK. Trading online with a combined sixteen years experience in the Ecommerce and retail sector they began trading online via a bespoke Ecommerce website in 2009. The company currently employs several dedicated Ecommerce and sales teams and trade via a network of hand selected UK based suppliers. A main objective of the company is to offer customers free delivery on many products, something that is unique in this sector.

This article has been written to shed light on one of the most popular, one of the most essential and at the same time, one of the most unnoticed of Christmas decorations, the humble Christmas cracker.

These small Christmas decorations we know and love today where developed by a Thomas J. Smith way back in 1847. Thomas J Smith was a sweet maker, baker and pastry chef from London, England. Tom would eventually create the Christmas cracker as a development of his sugar almond sweets, which he sold in a twist of paper. As sales of these sweets decreased, Tom began to think about new ways to promote his products. His first idea was to insert popular slogans and sayings into the wrappers of the sweets; however his ideas only brought limited success at first.

An early form of the cracker we see today was eventually developed when Tom became inspired to add the crackle or 'bang' element. But what inspired Tom to do this? It all started when he heard the crackle of a log he had put on the fire. This is the simple concept that eventually brought about the design of the cracker, which remains basically unchanged today.

Things moved on quickly, for a start the size of the paper wrapper used had to be increased to incorporate the banger mechanism, which in the early days was created by using gunpowder, the sweet itself was eventually dropped and replaced by a small gift or surprise.

Tom originally named his invention a 'cosaque', this was because the bang or cracking sound reminded him of the sound of a Cossack whip. His invention grew in popularity, eventually becoming known as the Christmas cracker. As awareness and subsequent popularity of the product grew, so did Toms business, eventually leading him to open a dedicated factory to keep up with the demand.

Unfortunately for Tom he never got to see the full scale and popularity of his invention, Tom died in his late 40's; however his product continued to grow rapidly in its popularity. However Tom left behind six children who continued where he left off and developed the Christmas cracker into mass production. Tom's original company traded right up to the mid 1950's where it eventually merged with another company.

Tom's legacy has seen the the Christmas cracker develop into a truly global business, with literally billions of crackers produced each year. The designs of which are still very similar Tom's original concept. However modern innovation sees the Christmas cracker in many different varieties, from Eco friendly Christmas crackers to crackers designed around a particular theme to crackers that are developed for wedding, birthdays and many other celebrations around the world.

The shape of our modern crackers is now in the form of a cylindrical cardboard tube, coupled with a paper handle twisted on each end of the tube which has been developed for two people to hold and pull. They are full of modern gifts, ranging from cheap party hats to bespoke designs containing expensive gifts such as watches and other jewelry. The Christmas cracker remains an ever popular tradition of Christmas at parties and nevermore so than at a traditional Christmas dinner.

View our range of bespoke Christmas crackers, catering Christmas crackers and family Christmas crackers.

Our Atlantic Pine artificial Christmas tree is one of the simplest, most classic, and attractive artificial trees that we stock. This well made softneedle tree boasts a moderate green hue that lends itself well to many different styles of holiday dor. From modern and elegant to warm, traditional, and hand-made, your Christmas lights, baubles, and decorations will look perfectly in place with the Atlantic Pine.

One of the most notable characteristics of this particular artificial Christmas tree is the fullness of its branches. What's more, it is green enough to look very much alive, yet not so vibrant as to look fake. This natural green artificial tree strikes the perfect balance. The Atlantic Pine is a perfect choice for those who prefer their trees full, lush, and very much alive looking, yet want the storage convenience of an artificial Christmas tree.

Avaialble in several different heights, the Atlantic Pine artificial Christmas tree is a perfect centerpiece for the home or office Christmas dor. With a sturdy stand and high-quality construction and craftsmanship, it will stand tall and proud, welcoming friends and family in from the cold with elegance, grace, and a natural, rustic charm.

Opting for the office and corporate Christmas tree rental service allows you to bring Christmas joy and merriment to your office environment without the hassle of storage, assembly, transportation, decoration, disposal, or anything else for that matter. We understand every business is different both in terms of corporate culture and office layout, so it's important to have a Christmas tree rental service that is diverse, flexible and, put simply good at what they do. Let the Christmas Tree Company take the strain of your seasonal decorations by creating a sparkling Christmas display for your business premises, both inside and out. From desk top floral's to 20ft trees and everything in between; you can have a professional, stylish display without the hassle of having to do it 'in house'. We supply both artificial and real Christmas trees on a rental basis; hand decorated on site with a range of complementary accessories for that finishing touch.

We offer a specialist delivery and installation service of display Christmas trees to City and Local Councils, bars, restaurants, shopping centers, hospitals and major public attractions throughout the Country.
Hiring a Christmas tree

Hiring a Christmas tree and decor for your corporate premises this year will not only leave you feeling less stressed, you'll also have a professional Christmas display to be proud of.

Here's what our Christmas tree rental service includes: -

* The services of our design team to choose the right style for your premises
* Delivery of a fully decorated Christmas tree (live trees will be decorated at your premises
* We'll also install any accessories you hire from us such as wreaths, garlands and lights
* At the end of the festive period, we'll take it all away again

This Christmas tree hire service has been provided to many happy clients for over 15 years, we think we've got the knack of what our customers want by now. Plus we're only one of a handful of companies who can provide a truly national Christmas tree hire and rental service.
Christmas Tree styles

We have mant shapes, sizes, styles and ranges for you to choose from. We currently have 3 main themes:

* Festive
* Luxury
* Traditional

Each of these themed Christmas tree ideas then has its own individual colour themes, in total we have about 25 but this is a continually evolving product range which keeps growing year on year!
Christmas lights

We are able to suppy our customers with a vast array of Christmas lighting solutions, including Christmas lights for shopping centres, atriums, and other outdoor facilities. If you would like more information on what we can provide within this service then please contact us, giving as much detail as possible and one of our sales team will call you right back.
Outdoor Christmas trees

Installing our Christmas trees outdoors requires careful planning and attention to detail to make absolutly sure your tree is safe and secure. Christmas trees have to be securely fixed down so they do not become a safety hazzard after installation and for complete peace of mind. Installation of larger trees will often require the use of specialist lifting equipment. Our staff are fully trained in installing large Christmas trees outdoors and we are able to supply you with the necessary method statements and health and safety guarantees.
Christmas Accessories

Why not add that finishing touch to your Christmas tree hire service with a matching accessory - go on, you know you want to! We supply wreaths, garlands, desks and wall florals to match most of our Christmas tree themes. And whats more, the hire price you pay for these items includes professional installation where required.
Large Christmas Projects

No job is to big...or small. If your premises require a more specialist, large scale approach to Christmas decor, we can help. We supply and install large Christmas projects at shopping centres, airports, hotels, atriums, head offices, boats and ferries, showrooms etc, in fact pretty much anywhere required.

Our projects team often work through evenings and weekends to avoid any interruption to your working day on large scale projects. Method statements and full health and safety reports are issued as standard. If you'd like to discuss a bespoke project then contact us, giving as much detail as possible and one of our sales team will call you right back.
Christmas Trees for your home

We know you love Christmas but maybe you are not so keen on the decorating bit? Become the envy of your neighbours, why not call in the experts to do it all for you! Although we specialise in providing Christmas tree hire services for businesses, we' can also supply ready decorated Christmas trees to private home too. All our Christmas trees are available to rent for your home, together with accessories. Again, please contact us, giving as much detail as possible and one of our sales team will call you right back.

Please browse our complete range of Christmas tree hire services. The Christmas Tree Company will make a donation to charity with every Office Christmas tree purchased. Please Contact us for further details and prices.