National Tree Company Pre-Lit Fraser Grande Review

We used the 7.5-foot Pre-Lit Fraser Grande during the 2024 holiday season. Product specifications, pricing and availability can change.

Why We Switched to an Artificial Christmas Tree

Let’s start with a confession: the decision to ditch a real tree felt a bit like selling out. Who doesn’t love hauling a seven-foot pine through a doorway, shedding needles like confetti, only to spend the next month vacuuming them out of every corner of your home? Indeed, a core holiday experience. But after years of embracing this “joy,” we finally waved the white (or maybe green) flag. Enter the 7.5 ft. Pre-Lit Fraser Grande Tree with Clear Lights from National Tree Company, the plastic wonder that has reshaped my idea of festive joy—and possibly my entire personality.

How Realistic the Fraser Grande Looks

At first glance, I half-expected it to scream “fake” louder than a synthetic wig at a black-tie event. Instead, it slyly whispered, “Natural beauty, but without the mess.” The molded, crush-resistant branch tips resemble real tree branches—an unsettling level of authenticity for something that came out of a box. I’d go so far as to say it looked better than the real trees we used to drag home. (Sorry, pine industry.)

Setup and Pre-Lit Lights

Setup was shockingly easy, though I’ll admit, fluffing and arranging the branches did test my patience. But once it was up and twinkling with its pre-strung 1,000 clear lights, I forgave every poked finger and muttered curse. National Tree Company says its stay-lit design keeps the remaining bulbs illuminated if one bulb burns out. We did not intentionally burn out or remove bulbs during our 2024 use, so we did not independently stress-test that feature.

Stability and Everyday Convenience

The convenience doesn’t stop there. This artificial masterpiece comes with a sturdy metal stand that doesn’t wobble or tip over at the slightest nudge from an overzealous cat. (Not naming names, Mr. Whiskers.) Unlike a cut tree, it does not require daily watering or shed drying needles as the season progresses.

Is the National Tree Company Fraser Grande Worth It?

But let’s not pretend it’s all rainbows and holiday cheer. The tree comes in sections that require assembly, which, while straightforward, did leave me briefly contemplating the merits of a minimalist Christmas. The price makes this more of a planned purchase than an impulse buy. Whether that cost makes sense depends largely on how many holiday seasons you expect to use it.

For more seasonal ideas around the house, see Famadillo’s best holiday gifts for the home.

For our 2024 holiday season, the biggest advantages were the realistic look, pre-strung lights, stable stand, and lack of fallen needles. The main tradeoffs were the upfront price and the time needed to assemble and shape the branches.