The Myriad Advantages of an Artificial Christmas Tree
March 11, 2011
As the Christmas season approaches, the preparation can feel overwhelming. The food, the events, the gifts, the decorations, and then there is the tree. Should you go with an artificial or a natural tree this year? Fortunately, choosing between the available options can in fact be relatively simple. While natural trees remain a popular option, the advantages of artificial trees are steadily turning the tide of Christmas traditions around the world. Following are a few quick considerations to help get you started as you shop for a tree this season:
– Keeping Christmas tidy: Simply, artificial trees tend to be significantly cleaner. With an imitation tree, home owners do not have to deal with sticky sap or annoying needle shedding. Consequently, artificial trees do not require the sweeping and vacuuming incurred via natural tree options. Also, the absence of any need to feed the artificial tree eliminates the possibility of upturning the water bowl and creating an additional unwanted mess.
– Avoiding holiday injuries: Whereas natural Christmas trees can become a fire hazard over time, artificial options tend to be constructed from flame-resistant materials. As a result, imitation trees remain a much safer option for families looking to eliminate the risk of fire-related injuries from their holiday season this year.
– Saving time on set-up and maintenance: Artificial trees can be put together in minutes and require zero ongoing work throughout the holiday season. Instead of hauling and preparing a live tree, an artificial tree comes ready to go, and often with prestrung lights as well. Additionally, imitation trees require neither food nor water, leaving owners with one less thing to tend during the holiday season.
– Creating efficiency: Artificial trees are an investment. While a good imitation tree may cost a bit more today, remember that this is also a one-time purchase and will in fact save significant resources over time. And when do we need extra money more than around the holidays? Artificial trees also tend to fold down conveniently and compactly for easy storage or transportation.
– Finding the perfect tree: Tired of wandering around Christmas tree lots year after year in search of the ideal tree, and yet perpetually settling for less? Instead, choose the truly evergreen option, an artificial tree. Making this choice can result in finding a tree that will fit exactly your desired specifications and will remain that way from year to year.
– Reducing allergy risks: Last but not least, imitation Christmas trees present an ideal solution for families with allergy issues in their households.
To find out more about exceptional artificial Christmas tree options please visit balsamhill.com.
A Brief History of Artificial Christmas Trees
February 17, 2011
A popular California-based artificial Christmas tree producer, Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Company, has shepherded in a new era in artificial trees through its innovative True Needle Technology. By using individual molds for needles, Balsam Hill achieves an unprecedented variation in the size, shape, and especially the color of the plastic evergreen needles. In this way, the company produces an artificial Christmas tree so like a living one that many have trouble distinguishing them.
However, long before an age of individual plastic needle molding and state-of-the-art pigmentation technology, people were crafting artificial Christmas trees. Although accounts of artificial trees pre-date the nineteenth century, the first sustained movement away from living Christmas trees took place in Germany as a response to serious concerns over deforestation. Early man-made trees were composed of feathers, which were dyed green and affixed to frames with wire branches.
With the steady immigration of Germans to America, the tradition of feather trees became popular in the United States as well. Varying dramatically in size, feather Christmas trees were crafted by American families and sold in department stores. In many cases, these trees also featured fake berries that sometimes also served as candleholders.
The first man-made Christmas tree constructed out of bristles entered the American market in 1930. The Addis Brush Company manufactured these artificial trees and encountered so much success that it exported many trees to Great Britain in addition to producing large quantities for the American market. As technology has advanced throughout the decades, manufacturers of man-made trees have turned to plastic, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC); ceramic; glass; and fiber optics for materials.
Today, with the help of companies like Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Company, families all over the world can enjoy an artificial Christmas tree that looks just like the real thing.
Christmas Trees, An Overview of Common Species
February 17, 2011
Throughout history, many different species of tree have been employed in the tradition of the Christmas tree. A leading producer of artificial Christmas trees based in Redwood City, California, Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Company takes its name from one such species—Abies balsamea, or Balsam Fir.
Encompassing a wide range of evergreen conifers, Christmas trees are usually either firs or pines. In general, firs tend to be more common due to the fact that they do not shed needles when they become dry. Additionally, fir trees tend to retain their lovely green coloring and distinctive scent longer than pines. Common species of fir trees present in the Americas and cultivated for Christmas trees include Douglas-firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Frasier Firs (Abies fraseri), and Red Firs (Abies magnifica), in addition to the aforementioned Balsam Fir. Although they are less convenient, pine trees also represent a large proportion of Christmas trees. Common species include the Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis), the Jeffrey Pine (Pinus jeffrey), and the Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla).
In addition to firs and pines, many individuals select spruces for their Christmas trees. Though quite beautiful, spruce trees tend to begin to lose their needles as soon as they are cut, and their needles are often sharper than those of fir trees. However, some nurseries sell Christmas trees of many species as “Living Christmas Trees,” meaning the trees retain their root systems and may be planted in the ground after the holidays, provided the owner has taken care to keep the roots moist throughout the winter celebrations. While the trees used to come from wild forests, the majority of Christmas trees now grow on special farms, which minimizes the negative environmental impact of large-scale deforestation.
In the twenty-first century, modern individuals and families can also choose to purchase an artificial tree to decorate for the holidays. Companies such as Balsam Hill provide beautiful, life-like artificial Christmas trees for consumers who do not wish to cut down a tree each year. Interested parties may visit www.balsamhill.com to browse Balsam Hill’s large collection of high-quality artificial trees.
Christmas Decorating According to Themes, Part 1
February 4, 2011
Christmas Decorating According to Themes, Part 2
While Christmas cheer does not necessarily need to follow a proper arrangement, some people take pleasure in creating themed sets. Our guide supplies ideas on how to come up with and implement themes for your home, lawn, and even individual rooms.
1. Show Off a Collection Many people collect different types of Christmas ornaments that come together to display synchronicity, beauty, and Christmas cheer. Gather your collections and arrange them on different surfaces throughout your house such as on shelves, countertops, or glass display cases. String lights or other merry objects around the displays to further draw guests’ eyes to your collection. Your collection need not be Christmas-themed, either; simply drape them with holiday decorations and they will blend right in. 2. Plan a Themed Party Do you and your family have a favorite holiday theme such as snowmen or reindeer? Plan a party around your chosen theme and create themed invites to send to guests. Ask each guest to supply a refreshment according to the theme, or to bring decorations of their own to add to your arrangements. As an example, request different guests to bring an item from the song The Twelve-Days of Christmas to the party, then sing the carol together.For additional ambiance, play holiday music in line with your theme, such as Winter Wonderland for snowman-themed parties. 3. Decorated a Themed Christmas Tree Why not let your tree reflect your seasonal mood? Shop for similar ornaments and decorations, then decorate the trip accordingly.
Christmas Decorating on a Budget, Part 1
February 4, 2011
By: Balsam Hill
While Christmas cheer does not necessarily need to follow a proper arrangement, some people take pleasure in creating themed sets. Our guide supplies ideas on how to come up with and implement themes for your home, lawn, and even individual rooms.
1. Show Off a Collection
Many people collect different types of Christmas ornaments that come together to display synchronicity, beauty, and Christmas cheer. Gather your collections and arrange them on different surfaces throughout your house such as on shelves, countertops, or glass display cases. String lights or other merry objects around the displays to further draw guests’ eyes to your collection. Your collection need not be Christmas-themed, either; simply drape them with holiday decorations and they will blend right in.
2. Plan a Themed Party
Do you and your family have a favorite holiday theme such as snowmen or reindeer? Plan a party around your chosen theme and create themed invites to send to guests. Ask each guest to supply a refreshment according to the theme, or to bring decorations of their own to add to your arrangements. As an example, request different guests to bring an item from the song The Twelve-Days of Christmas to the party, then sing the carol together.
For additional ambiance, play holiday music in line with your theme, such as Winter Wonderland for snowman-themed parties.
3. Decorated a Themed Christmas Tree
Why not let your tree reflect your seasonal mood? Shop for similar ornaments and decorations, then decorate the trip accordingly.
Hello Everyone!
January 6, 2011
Welcome to Balsam Hill Reviews’ Blog
Balsam Hill Reviews' Blog 