Artificial Christmas tree: how to choose the right height, type and decorations

Artificial Christmas tree: how to choose the right height, type and decorations

If you want to attract organic traffic from buyers, this is one of the items with the most "purchase intent" for Christmas: people search for "buy artificial Christmas tree", "best artificial Christmas tree", "slim tree", "150 cm or 180 cm tree", "tree with snow", "pre-lit tree" . And many purchases fail for 3 reasons: wrong size , weak branch density , and unstable base .

Below you have a practical guide (PT-PT) to help you choose well — and to create direct internal links to your collection of trees and decorations.

1) Start with the essentials: measure the space (height + width)

Leroy Merlin recommends measuring the height and width of the space where you will place the tree and reminds people of a detail that many forget: leave space for the stand/base and for the topper ornament (star/tree topper).

Quick rule of thumb for height (works in 90% of cases)

  • Small apartment / low ceiling : 120–150 cm

  • "Normal" room : 180 cm (the classic)

  • House / high ceilings : 210–240 cm

  • Entrance hall with high ceiling : 240 cm+ (if there is lateral space)

And don't forget: the "total height" is tree + base + topper .

2) Slim, classic, or tabletop: which format is best to buy in Portugal?

Classic tree (wider)

  • Ideal for spacious rooms, it adds "volume" and allows for more decorative items.

  • Best suited for traditional themes (red/gold) and for those who want a "full Christmas" experience.

Slim (narrow) tree

  • Highly sought after for hallways, corners, and apartments (Lisbon/Porto have many houses with compact living rooms).

  • It adds height and presence without "stealing" usable space.

Small trees (up to 120 cm)

Leroy Merlin offers trees up to 120 cm as an option for small spaces and to maintain the Christmas spirit in any environment.
Perfect for: desk, bedroom, kitchen, display case/reception area.

3) PE vs. PVC: What really changes (and how to explain it to the client)

This topic generates a lot of search traffic because the buyer wants "realism" and durability.

  • PVC : usually more affordable and "full," with needles/cut sheets.

  • PE : It tends to be more realistic because many branches are shaped to mimic natural branches.

  • Mixed PE+PVC : very common to balance realism and price (PE in the external/visible area and PVC in the internal area to give density).

👉 How to turn this into copy that sells:

  • "Do you want realism?" → more PE

  • "Do you want price and volume?" → PVC

  • "Do you want the best balance?" → PE+PVC

(If you sell trees with technical specifications, mentioning "PE/PVC" helps the customer compare and improves conversion.)

4) Branch density: the indicator that prevents a "sparse" tree.

When someone complains about an artificial tree, it's almost always this: "you can see the trunk" / "it has holes".

What to look for:

  • Number of branches (if indicated) — more branches = fuller

  • Type of construction :

    • Hinged : opens faster and tends to distribute branches better.

    • With insertable branches : it requires more work, but it can be solid (depending on the model).

💡 Sales tip: “If the tree is going to be in a corner, you can accept less density. If it's going to be in the center of the room, choose a fuller one.”

5) Base and stability (especially if there are children or animals)

One detail that is very indicative of "buyer intent": people search for "metal base for Christmas tree" and "safe Christmas tree".

Practical recommendations:

  • Choose a metal base and a wide opening (for greater stability).

  • If you have young children or cats:

    • Uses a heavy mat/base.

    • avoid glass ornaments on the bottom.

    • Secure the tree discreetly (e.g., with transparent wire) if it is very tall.

6) Pre-lit tree: yes or no?

Here you have two choices:

  1. Do you want to save time (pre-lit) or do you want flexibility (lights separate)?

  2. Will the tree be used for many years ?

What to check before buying (very important for confidence)

If the tree has electrical components (lights), it prioritizes:

  • CE marking and clear information from the product's responsible party.
    The EU explains that the CE marking indicates compliance with applicable requirements and is required on many products to be sold in the EU.
    IPQ also reinforces the importance of safety and CE marking on products used in festivities.

7) Snowy and white: beautiful, but requires maintenance.

Flocked/white trees have been trending for years because they look great in minimalist decor. But:

  • They may release "dust" at first (normal in some models).

  • They require more careful arrangement so as not to spoil the effect.

Purchase checklist (put this at the end of the article and it converts very well)

Before buying your artificial Christmas tree, confirm:

  • Measure the height and width of the space (leave room for base + topper).

  • I chose the format: classic / slim / tabletop.

  • I've decided on the material: PVC / PE / PE+PVC (realism vs. price).

  • I checked the stability of the base (ideally: metallic).

  • If you have lights: check the CE and instructions.

  • I thought about how to pack it (in a box/bag) so it would last for several Christmases.

FAQ

What is the most popular height in Portugal?
180 cm is the "classic" size for living rooms, but 150 cm and slim trees grow too much in apartments.

Is PE always better than PVC?
PE is usually more realistic; PVC tends to be more affordable and dense. Many trees combine both.

Is a pre-lit tree safe?
It must meet the requirements and bear the CE marking where applicable, as well as clear instructions.

How can I prevent the tree from falling over?
Stable base + positioning outside of walkways + discreet weight/anchoring if needed.