Buying the best pre-lit Christmas trees on the market is not as seamless as it might appear. Before you get down to buying, check out the following tips and you’ll be sure to choose the best of all.

When to buy

Once you establish a budget, you’ll want to make your money go as far as possible by making sure you buy at the appropriate time. Waiting too long will limit your options, while too early can result in overpaying.

The first two weeks of December are the best time to purchase a pre-lit Christmas tree, according to USA Today’s Matt Granite.

And sometimes, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, the week after Christmas, and even the middle of July may also be good times for to buy Pre-lit trees.

The bottom line is that you can’t simply get a ‘perfect’ time to buy a pre-lit Christmas tree.

So, whatever you do, ensure to check out among retailers from time to time and be calm, until you locate the right tree that comes at exactly the right price for you.

How to buy

Before browsing pre-lit Christmas tree options, set your budget just like you would for any other major purchase. You don’t want to hit the market to buy something you’ve never really prepared for.

An artificial Christmas tree costs 100 dollars, on average. However, the cost can easily double or even triple if you’re not cautious.

Remember to make room for decorations when planning your budget for your pre-lit Christmas tree, though they are large and often the most overlooked expense. The same is true if you choose to buy an unlit model.

Make sure your budget matches your expectations. If, for instance, you expect to get an uber-realistic looking tree for $150, you might be disappointed.