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<\/p>\nI love the idea of a real tree at Christmas but sadly I\u2019m a bit allergic to them and come out in an itchy sore rash where I touch them and the falling needles drive me nuts! As a consequence I\u2019ve had to make do with an artificial Christmas tree. I\u2019ve had my tree for a few years now and have developed a bit of a love hate relationship with it.<\/p>\n
I love that it signifies it\u2019s Christmas and I get all that wonderful time with family. I love that it displays all the children\u2019s homemade ornaments that hold so many memories. I love that I\u2019m not killing a real tree just for the pleasure of having it in my house for a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
I hate the hour-long spat with it in the wrestling ring trying to wrap those blasted lights round and round \u2018elegantly\u2019. I hate having to vacuum after I\u2019ve put it up to pick up all the greenery it\u2019s decided to shed as it inches closer to balding middle age. I hate that it looks, well just a bit pathetic! Just a bit plasticky. Just a bit, dare I say, tacky?<\/p>\n
I was recently given the opportunity to try out a tree from Balsam Hill this Christmas. I didn\u2019t really expect there to be much difference between mine and theirs but theirs came pre strung with lights which was an enormous appeal so I decided to give it a go!<\/p>\n
Well perhaps you saw my initially response of total glee on Instagram? Believe me, not all trees are equal! I am in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Just look at how beautiful and realistic it is!<\/p>\n
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I have the 6 foot European Silver Fir\u00a0prelit tree and it is stunning! I really am amazed by how life-like it looks! And that\u2019s not surprising as it has an incredible 2559 branch tips and each one is cleverly made with a real attention to detail in the style, shape and colouring. It looks so full and lush and REAL! Just look at these two close-ups and compare my old tree to the new one from Balsam Hill! Need I say more?<\/p>\n
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It was really quick and easy to set up with three sections that slot together. I have a pre lit tree and it has a staggering 550 bulbs! The tree is so beautiful just as it is before you even put any decorations on! It has energy-saving candlelight LEDs which have a wonderfully warm glow to them rather than a stark white light so they\u2019re really cosy and atmospheric.<\/p>\n
![\"Balsam](\"https:\/\/kidscraftroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Balsam-Hill-tree-with-angel.jpg\")
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I wasn\u2019t sure how the wires for the lights would be arranged and wondered if they\u2019d get tangled when you put the tree up or down. They\u2019ve done a great job though and all the wires have been professional hand strung to minimise their appearance and they\u2019re all snug to the branches so there\u2019s no chance of them tangling together, in fact you really don\u2019t notice them at all.<\/p>\n
![\"Balsam](\"https:\/\/kidscraftroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Balsam-Hill-tree-with-ornaments.jpg\")
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I\u2019m totally surprised by how impressed I am with the appearance of the tree and with its quality. I hadn\u2019t expected to be so blown away by it! \u00a0You can just tell that it\u2019s going to last for years and years and it does actually come with a 10 year foliage warranty and a 3 year light warranty too. They are obviously built to last!<\/p>\n
I also loved the thoughtful extra touches that it came with. It has a robust zip up storage bag, spare bulbs, clear setting up instructions, and two pairs of green gloves in different sizes to wear when you put it up. You don\u2019t have to wear them of course and I didn\u2019t find the tree at all scratchy without them but the gloves made me feel cared for and valued as a customer. The children have now whisked them away for their dressing up box to be elves!<\/p>\n
![\"Balsam](\"https:\/\/kidscraftroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Balsam-Hill-UK-accessories.jpg\")
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Balsam Hill aren\u2019t the cheapest option for artificial trees but now that I\u2019ve seen one, touched it, decorated it, lived with it and totally fallen in love with it, I would say that they are definitely a worthwhile investment that should give you years and years of enjoyment.<\/p>\n
The European Silver Fir that I have is just one of many different types of beautiful artificial trees Balsam Hill have to offer. They have something to suit every size and style requirement and if you\u2019re not sure which to choose \u00a0you can even order a Branch Sample Kit\u00a0to help you decide.\u00a0\u00a0I think that\u2019s a great idea and if you do go on to purchase a tree they credit the price of it back to your order too.<\/p>\n
The lovely team at Balsam Hill are kindly giving a lucky reader one of their enormous and \u00a0beautiful 24\u2033 Unlit Fraser Fir Wreaths\u00a0worth \u00a369 seen below. (Ribbon not included.)<\/p>\n
To be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.<\/p>\n
![\"Balsam](\"https:\/\/kidscraftroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Balsam-Hill-UK-wreath.jpg\")
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Good Luck and Happy Decorating!<\/p>\n
I was sent a Christmas tree for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and 100% honest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I’ve been trying out a Christmas tree from Balsam Hill and am in LOVE with it. I also have a fantastic and enormous 24″ Christmas wreath to give away to one lucky reader. So pop along and put your name down for a chance to WIN! Good luck. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":9996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[837],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-8692","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-review","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n