Black Friday Christmas trees and decor: The Department Guide

Christmas decor is easy to buy badly. Measure the ceiling and floor space before choosing a tree, check whether the lights are built in or separate, and look at storage and safety labels. A tree or string of lights should fit the room, the outlet and the storage closet.

What the department covers

This department covers artificial Christmas trees, string lights, wreaths, garlands, ornaments, tree skirts and outdoor displays. There are no individual guides live in this department yet, so use the checks below, and the department page lists new ones as they are added.

Choosing a tree

Height comes first. Measure from the floor to the ceiling, subtract the stand and topper, and leave a gap at the top. Width matters as much as height, because a wide tree can block walkways and crowd furniture. Slim and pencil shapes suit narrow rooms.

Next, look at how the branches attach. Hinged branches fold down as you set up, while hook-on branches slot into the pole and may take longer to fit. Photos showing the pole, hinges and stand tell you a lot about sturdiness.

Lights and power

Pre-lit trees save time but depend on their wiring. Check whether the strands are sectioned, whether bulbs are replaceable and whether a fuse is included. LED strings run cooler and use less energy. Incandescent strings give a warmer glow but run hotter. Count the outlets needed and consider a surge-protected strip rather than overloading a single plug.

Safety checks for decor

Look for a recognized safety listing mark on electrical items, and use lights only where the label says they can be used, indoors or outdoors. Keep trees and lights away from heaters and fireplaces, and never leave lights on unattended. Check the fire-retardant notes on artificial trees and wreaths where given.

Buying online

For marketplace listings, check that the item is new, read the description for the dimensions and the number of branches or bulbs, and note the return policy. Look at the photos closely for realistic needle colors, since some trees look shinier in a studio shot than they do at home.

Storage

Plan where the tree lives for the rest of the year. A tree that comes apart into sections stores easier, and a proper box or bag protects the branches.