10 fake Christmas trees everyone will think are real

best artificial christmas trees
The most realistic faux Christmas trees to buy now The White Company

Who doesn't love the idea of a real Christmas tree? From the fresh, woody scent that drenches your living room, to the fun novelty of heading out to pick out your chosen pine each year, it's a centuries-old tradition for a reason.

That said, the reality of the real deal can often feel less magical than its cosy, festive reputation might have you believe – the constant needle dropping can be a nuisance to tidy, the cost of buying new every year mounts up, and come January, the dishevelled tree can be a pain to dispose of responsibly.

Enter: the artificial Christmas tree. This is faux fir, but not as you know it. These days, fake trees are a far cry from their cheap, plastic-looking ancestors. Tacky, ce n'est pas!

There are plenty of pros to artificial Christmas trees, on top of their good looks: the low-maintenance greenery is lighter than the real thing, easy to assemble and surprisingly stress-free to store away.

If you hadn't already guessed, we're certainly leaning into the idea of investing in a hyper-realistic (albeit artificial) emerald-green tree for 2024. Some models are on the pricey side, but many are discounted in the Black Friday sales right now, and it's all about making an investment here anyway: buy once and buy better, and you'll end up saving money in the long run, compared to buying a new tree every year.

But what about that Christmas tree scent we all know and love? Well, D.S & Durga, Jo Loves and Diptyque all have divine candles which do a stellar job of mimicking the cosy pine and fir smell. Or you can quite literally imbue your tree with the fragrance of fir by dangling scent sticks from the branches.

As for the sustainability credentials of an artificial tree, they are of course made from man-made materials, which means you'll need to re-use yours for over a decade if you're to lower the carbon footprint to that of a real, locally-grown tree. So, choosing wisely is essential as an artificial tree shouldn't just be for one Christmas; it should be for life.

Fortunately there a plenty of versatile options will which see you through the festivities now and in the future – some even come pre-lit (no tangled wires! no fuss!) while others err on the charming, slightly misshapen side, just like the real thing.

Keep scrolling to explore our pick of the best...

The best artificial Christmas trees


Pre-Lit Grand Spruce Christmas Tree (9ft)

With the code WHITE20, this extravagant tree is down to £556. The White Company's fake Christmas trees always fly off the shelves early in the season, so get in there fast if you want one. If you've got a large space to fill, you're in luck; this 9ft pre-lit spruce is impressively realistic and still in stock.

£556.00 at thewhitecompany.com


St. Petersburg Pre-Lit Christmas Tree (6ft)

This artificial, pre-lit Christmas tree has a full, classically conical shape for that realistic look. It comes with a timer which automatically switches the lights on at the same time each day and off again after 8 hours, so you don't need to worry about remembering.

£279.00 at johnlewis.com


Pre Lit Ultimate Dressed Christmas Tree (1.5ft)

It's certainly miniature, but by no means less charming. The cutest tree on our list is ideal for smaller spaces – place it on top of coffee tables, windowsills or mantelpieces. And with the code WHITE20, this lovely little tree is down to £52.

£52.00 at


Calgary Fir Green Christmas Tree (5ft)

The downside of having an everlasting artificial Christmas tree is finding a place to store it once the festivities are over. Enter White Stores' tree, which breaks down into three pieces – ever so handy for stowing away.

£79.00 at


Nordmann Fir Tree (8ft)

Who doesn't love a Nordmann Fir? This tree does a stellar job of mimicking the real thing, sans dropped needles. Choose from 4ft to 12ft, and between unlit or pre-lit with your choice of lights.

£699.00 at


Downswept Snowy Unlit Christmas Tree (7ft)

Now, we're not saying indoor snow is realistic, but you can certainly err on the side of make-believe with a whimsical tree like this one, which feels more Narnia than John Lewis.

£223.00 at


Abies Christmas Tree (6ft)

Dunelm is a go-to for affordable trees that look similar to The White Company's bestsellers. This one looks supremely full, thanks to its 1,810 branch tips that give it a bushy appearance. Note that the wicker skirt shown here isn't included, but it does come with a sturdy metal stand.

£119.00 at dunelm.com


Alpine Christmas Tree (7ft)

Perfect for smaller spaces (or as a second tree in an entrance hall), this narrow Alpine tree might be on the slim side, but it's still brimming with charm. It's also available as a 4ft or 7ft tree, unlit or pre-lit.

£199.00 at balsamhill.co.uk


Mixed-Tip Natural Upswept Christmas Tree (6ft)

Habitat is always a reliable choice if you aren't looking to spend a small fortune. For just £80, this 6ft tree offers a realistic and charming look that any family will love for years.

£90.00 at habitat.co.uk

You Might Also Like