The image of a Christmas tree lit up with twinkling colourful lights is a sight to gladden the hearts of most people.
We do not all relish the prospect of lighting it though – especially when there turns out to be a blown bulb. Both pre-lit Christmas trees and fibre optic ones have grown in popularity for this exact reason, but here we differentiate between the two, as they are not actually the same thing.
What are pre-lit trees?
Pre-lit trees are artificial ones with lights added to them as part of the design.
A wire is usually fitted into the green foliage for greater concealment, but sometimes it can be wrapped around the branches. That latter option makes it more closely resemblant of a tree that you have added lights to yourself. These trees are also environmentally friendly, as they use energy-efficient LED lights.
What are fibre optic trees?
Most people would regard a fibre optic Christmas tree as a pre-lit one and they would not be wrong – technically.
Yes, it is all a bit confusing, but the difference lies in how the lights are added to the tree. Instead of a wire, these trees have ultra-thin tubes among the fake pine needles on the branches that light up when they are plugged in. The tubes are sometimes made from plastic, and at other times glass, but they work to create a mesmerising ethereal effect.
Either of these will be a fine way of getting a luminous Christmas tree with minimal hassle this festive season.
