We Found The 6 Best Places to Buy Christmas Trees of 2023

collage of lit Christmas tree with warm white holiday lights — Better Homes and Gardens / Brian Kopinski

As the holiday season comes around, you may start to unpack your decorations and set up your home. Though wreaths, string lights, and candles certainly set the scene, a Christmas tree is the centerpiece that ties it all together.

If you’re not able to buy a tree in person, consider purchasing one online. Many retailers offer faux options in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles, so you can get the best tree for your home, delivered to your door. The best part? The best artificial Christmas trees are low maintenance, so you don't have to worry about keeping an artificial tree

To find the best places to buy Christmas trees online, we asked our team for their favorite places to buy Christmas trees. We took into consideration the selection of each retailer, as well as the shopping experience and prices.

We also consulted Sarah Dyne, an Atlanta-based holiday decorator and master decorator for Old World Christmas, for additional insight about popular styles, care tips, and what to consider when purchasing an artificial tree.

Balsam Hill

Buy on Balsamhill.com

Why You Should Shop Here

The quality and ordering process is excellent.

Keep in Mind

Prices are on the higher end, especially for taller models.

This retailer offers a well-curated selection of artificial Christmas trees, as well as wreaths, greenery, and general Christmas decor.

Though a little pricier than some other options on this list, we appreciate that Balsam Hill’s artificial trees are well-made and incredibly realistic-looking (you can filter trees by how realistic they are, too, if that’s an important feature to you).

Balsam fir, classic blue spruce, Vermont white spruce, and many more varieties are offered, as well as frosted trees, flat-back trees, and slim models that are well-suited for small spaces. And while some trees are sold unlit, there are several lights available, including candlelight clear, color, LED, and twinkling). In other words, the options are significant — but the ordering process doesn’t feel overwhelming.

We found that the delivery process is also super smooth. Orders shipped before noon EST are dispatched the same day, and the site frequently offers free shipping deals. We also noted that Balsam Hill sent their trees in sturdy boxes along with storage bags, making the trees easy to store in the off-season.

Artificial tree prices range from $300 for a smaller, unlit tree to around $10,000 for taller trees that are more realistic-looking and boast LED lights. At the higher end of this spectrum, Balsam Hill trees are certainly an investment, but we were very pleased with their trees overall and found the price to be worth it.

Target

Buy on Target

Why You Should Shop Here

The shopping experience is great and you can make returns in-store.

Keep in Mind

We thought some trees may be a little overpriced given the quality.

Douglas firs, evergreens, Alberta spruces, even colorful Barbie pink-hued trees — no matter your style, there’s something for everyone at Target. The retailer has a vast selection of artificial trees, including small porch pot trees and statement-making spruces that top 8 feet.

Although not necessarily the cheapest on the market, we still thought Target’s artificial trees were a good value overall. Prices range from $10 for a small desktop tree to more than $5,000 for one of the larger 8-foot models. Quality is very good and overall, we were happy with our Target trees. However, we did note that they thought certain products were slightly more expensive than they may have expected for the quality.

Target’s Wondershop is also hugely popular, and we love the curated selection of Christmas accessories, wreaths, tree skirts, garlands, ornaments, and toppers in addition to Christmas trees. All Wondershop products have a similar look and feel, which makes it easy to shop for Christmas decor that feels cohesive.

Target is known for its pleasant shopping experience both in stores and online, and that holds true when shopping for a Christmas tree. The easy-to-navigate website and ability to make returns in-store is a huge plus as well. Shipping is generally very fast, and we appreciate the retailer’s Target Circle loyalty program, too.

Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Why You Should Shop Here

There are tons of options at different price points.

Keep in Mind

The selection process can be overwhelming.

It’s no secret that you can buy pretty much anything on Amazon these days, and that includes Christmas trees. Whether you prefer bare or pre-lit, North Valley spruce or Douglas fir, with a stand or without, you have an infinite number of choices on Amazon. Popular Christmas tree brands include The National Tree Company, Puleo International, and Best Choice Products, to name just a few.

Prices tend to be a little lower here than other retailers — you can find a small desktop model for as little as $15, and it’s unusual to see artificial trees that top $1,000. Overall, we were very pleased with the quality and value of the Christmas trees we bought on Amazon.

As with pretty much anything you buy on Amazon, the sheer number of options available can make the ordering process a little overwhelming. Utilizing the site’s filtering system can help narrow down things a bit. It’s also helpful to shop through the site’s Best Sellers section, which ensures the trees you’re considering already have a significant amount of positive reviews.

Hobby Lobby

Buy on Hobbylobby.com

Why You Should Shop Here

The prices are lower than some other retailers.

Keep in Mind

The selection is a little more limited.

Though you might think of them as a destination for arts and craft supplies, Hobby Lobby has a solid selection of artificial Christmas trees. Trees are available in a range of sizes here — from smaller styles to those that top 10 feet — and prices are lower than some other retailers. Most trees are in the $100-$400 range and even the largest 12-foot tree is only $600, making Hobby Lobby one of the more affordable places to buy artificial Christmas trees.

We found that the trees we’ve ordered from Hobby Lobby are of decent quality and live up to the online images. We also appreciate the easy-to-navigate shopping experience.

In addition to classic-looking evergreens and pines, Hobby Lobby has several pre-lit options, plenty of frosted trees, and some more whimsical-looking options. Just keep in mind that in general, the retailer seems to specialize in more classic styles, so it’s not the best place to buy a Christmas tree if you’re looking for something nontraditional.

Michaels

Buy on Michaels

Why You Should Shop Here

The retailer offers a good selection of nontraditional Christmas trees.

Keep in Mind

One tree we got didn’t quite match up to the picture online.

As with Hobby Lobby, Michaels is also known for arts and craft supplies, but the retailer also has an enormous Christmas shop complete with decorations, wreaths and garlands, and artificial trees. Though not the largest selection on the market there are plenty of options to choose from, including mini trees and extra-large models over 10 feet.

Michaels makes it easier than many other sites to shop for trees, too: The online Christmas shop is easy to navigate and filter by tree shape and style, light type, and height. Overall, prices are on the more affordable end here, too. The biggest extra-large trees are around $1,000 but most styles are far less expensive. The retailer also offers frequent sales, so it’s likely you’d be able to shop discounted options.

Michaels is a particularly great place to shop for Christmas trees if you’re after something nontraditional. The selection of colorful trees is unmatched by most other retailers on this list as it includes gold, red, and rainbow options, amongst others.

While we were happy with our Michaels trees, there was one tree that didn’t quite live up to the photo. That being said, opting for trees with mostly positive reviews or checking out options in-store may be particularly important.

Wayfair

Buy on Wayfair

Why You Should Shop Here

There are tons of options to choose from, including well-known brands.

Keep in Mind

The shopping experience can be a little overwhelming to navigate.

Though best known for affordable furniture, Wayfair is also an excellent destination for artificial Christmas trees. The retailer’s Christmas shop offers an enormous selection of realistic-looking trees, including colorful trees and others with frosted needles, lit and unlit models, and a variety of species and heights.

Several recognizable brands are sold at Wayfair, including The Holiday Aisle, The Twillery Co., Andover Mills, and even Martha Stewart, whose trees are especially durable and stylish. We purchased a Martha Stewart tree from Wayfair that lasted 10 years before the lights finally stopped working, at which point we immediately replaced it with another from the same brand.

We had an overall positive experience buying Christmas trees at Wayfair, and we particularly liked the prices: Though some of the largest and highest-quality trees are in the $5,000 to $10,000 range, most are far less expensive, and there are plenty of solid options under $300.

As with Amazon, some shoppers might find Wayfair a bit overwhelming to navigate. There are literally hundreds of artificial Christmas trees available here, so sorting through all of the options can take some time. Filtering by tree height, shape, realism level, and any other features you’re looking for (such as light tone or animation) can help make shopping a little easier.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the best place to buy Christmas trees depends on your personal preferences, including both style and budget. If you’re looking for high-quality, realistic trees, Balsam Hill is one of the best places to buy Christmas trees. If you’re not sure what type of tree you’re looking for, consider Amazon or Michaels. Each has a large selection of trees in different sizes and colors, so you can sort through them until you find your ideal style.

What to Know About Places to Buy Christmas Trees Before Shopping

Species

There are many different tree species sold as Christmas trees, but if you’re purchasing a fresh tree you’re likely to be considering one of the following:

Douglas fir is one of the most popular Christmas tree varieties and the kind Dyne purchases for her own home. “It is a good all-around species for decorating with sturdy branches and plenty of space for ornaments, and soft, pleasantly fragrant needles,” she says.
Balsam firs are known for their fragrant needles. “There’s a reason so many candles and air fresheners are made to mimic the scent,” says Dyne.
Blue spruce trees are beautiful, thanks to their distinctive blue-gray color, and they have minimal shedding. But Dyne notes that their needles can be quite sharp, so you’ll want to wear gloves when decorating.
Fraser firs are fragrant and durable. “They’re great for transporting long distances,” Dyne says.

Style

Christmas tree trends come and go, and the type of tree you choose and the decorations you adorn it with are opportunities to showcase your style, Dyne says.

“When it comes to refreshing my tree to keep on trend, I opt for changing embellishments like ribbon and picks to emphasize different colors in my special ornaments that grace my tree every year and will for decades to come,” she says.

Discounts

The price of a Christmas tree depends on several factors, including where you live (if you’re opting for a fresh tree) and if you're purchasing an artificial tree, what kinds of features you’re looking for. While some retailers may offer discounts throughout the holiday season, you may be able to find the best deals as Christmas approaches.

Shipping and Assembly

Most families want to enjoy their Christmas tree for as many days as possible leading up to the holiday, so a quick delivery is essential. Many of the retailers on this list — Balsam Hill, Amazon, and Target in particular — offer fast shipping on artificial Christmas trees to ensure they arrive within just a few days of your order.

Care

A fresh-cut Christmas tree should last four to five weeks if well cared for, Dyne says. To ensure that a live tree will last throughout the season, she recommends cutting at the trunk and making sure to get it in a stand with plenty of water as soon as possible.

“Fresh-cut trees can absorb a lot of water, so it is important to check the water level twice a day for the first week or two and then once every day after that, topping it off as necessary to ensure that your tree does not dry out.,” she says. “A fresh tree can absorb up to three gallons of water the first day it is cut, so keep it hydrated for best results.”

Your Questions, Answered

What is the best day to buy a Christmas tree?

This depends in part on personal preference (for example, how long would you like to have a decorated tree in your home to enjoy leading up to Christmas?) as well as whether or not you’re interested in getting a deal (Christmas trees, both real and artificial, tend to drop in price as the holiday approaches, the 2018 report from The National Christmas Tree Association and Square found).

According to that same report, Christmas trees are at their absolute cheapest on Christmas Eve, though most families would prefer to have one sooner than that. There are also savings to be found between December 2nd and 3rd, right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday but perhaps before many families are thinking about Christmas decorating.

How much should I expect to pay for a Christmas tree?

How much you’ll pay for a Christmas tree depends on several factors, including whether the tree is real or artificial, what species and style you purchase, and, if the tree is artificial, whether there are any additional features such as included lights. The artificial trees on this list range in price from $15 for a smaller desktop tree to more than $10,000 for a high-end artificial tree that’s very realistic looking.

The cost of fresh trees varies depending on your local market, notes Dyne. In Atlanta, where she lives, she’s found that prices range from $35 for a 2- or 3-foot tree to more than $300 for an 11- or 12-foot tree. “The most popular tree height is around 7 ½ feet, which would fall in the $80 to $130 range,” she says.

How far ahead of time should you buy a Christmas tree?

Again, this is a matter of personal preference. Some factors to consider include how long you’d like to enjoy your tree for, how much you’re hoping to pay, and how long you’d like to care for it (if you’re opting for a real tree).

When buying a fresh tree, you’ll want to consider availability, your family’s traditions, and how long you plan to keep it on display, says Dyne. “With proper care, a fresh tree can last about four to five weeks, so the week after Thanksgiving is an especially popular time to visit tree lots,” she says.

How long do fake Christmas trees last?

Though artificial trees generally cost more than fresh ones, the good news is that they’ll last a long time. “An artificial tree can last a decade or more, depending on the quality of [the] tree you buy,” Dyne says. “A high-quality tree is an investment that can last many years and hold up to longer holiday seasons.”

Who We Are

Kathleen Felton is a freelance writer originally from Connecticut, now living in Sydney, Australia, covering home and lifestyle for Better Homes & Gardens. To compile this list of the best places to buy Christmas trees, Kathleen analyzed lab insights from our testing site in Des Moines, Iowa. She also spoke to Sarah Dyne, a holiday decorator based in Atlanta and the master decorator for ornaments company Old World Christmas.

What Is BHG Recommends?

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.