The best Christmas tree stands

The Jack-Post Welded Steel Christmas Tree Stand is made of steel and features four eye-bolts that hold trees up to 12 feet tall in place.

Jack-Post manufactures tree stands in Asia and Michigan under a variety of brand names. The Welded Steel Christmas Tree Stand is the most heavy-duty option coming with its lifetime warranty and wide leg span of nearly 30 inches (for the large version). The base and the hollow legs of the stand are made out of steel, and the four T-nut tipped eye bolts are made of corrosion-resistant zinc dichromate.

This tree stand comes in medium and large sizes. The medium fits trees up to 8 feet tall or trunks up to 4.25 inches in diameter, and the water capacity is 1.1 gallons. On the other hand, the large style holds trees as tall as twelve feet or with trunks up to seven inches thick, and the water reservoir holds 1.7 gallons.

Best Reviews included the Jack-Post model in its list of the best Christmas tree stands because the reviewers liked how it handled trees ten feet tall and larger. However, the stand lost points because the washers can get stuck inside the tree when you disassemble the unit. The10Pro also liked the metal bowl that keeps the tree steady and firm.

Around 78% of the people who reviewed the Jack-Post Welded Steel Christmas Tree Stand on Amazon gave it 5 stars. Buyers like how firmly this stand holds the tree in place. Also, setting up this unit can be done in a matter of minutes. Buyers were also impressed with how the stand does not rely on plastic pieces. Everything is made of sturdy metal.

One reviewer noted that when you are done with this model at the end of the year, you should take the time to clean and dry the stand, then lubricate the screws with WD40 or some similar product.

Pros: Lifetime warranty, made of durable steel, stable

Cons: Issues with parts digging in and sticking in tree

The National Tree Folding Tree Stand keeps your artificial tree stable and folds up after the holidays are over for easy storage.

The National Tree Folding Tree Stand comes in six sizes with the most popular sizes being the 16-inch leg span (accommodates trees 4 to 6 feet tall), 24-inch (6.5- to 8-foot trees), 28-inch (7.5- to 8-foot trees), and 32-inch leg span (for 9- to 10-foot trees). The stand holds artificial trees with center poles of about 1.25 inches in diameter. The tree stays in place thanks to a thumb screw. The stand is made of sturdy steel and weighs about 2 pounds. The legs fold flat for easy storage.

Best Reviews included the National Tree Company stand in its look at the best Christmas tree stands because of the small footprint afforded by the folding design. However, the reviewers didn't like that the locking mechanism sometimes snaps off. Top Guide Pro appreciated that it was easy to adjust and store.

More than 400 reviewers of the National Tree Folding Tree Stand on Amazon gave it 4 or 5 stars. The positive comments about this stand center on how stable it keeps the tree. We did not find any reports of trees falling over because of the stand.

The biggest issue buyers seem to have is they chose the wrong-sized stand for their needs. There are several options to choose from and each fits different-sized poles. You want the pole to fit snugly so it doesn't slide through the stand and dig into your floor.

Pros: Easy to adjust, stable, foldable, several sizes to choose from

Cons: Only accommodates poles that are about 1.25-inch thick

With the Good Tidings Cinco Tabletop Christmas Tree Stand, you get a small stand that accommodates a broad range of miniature trees at an affordable price.

The Good Tidings Tabletop Tree Stand is made almost entirely of hard polypropylene. The base measures 14 inches in diameter and 8 inches tall. It holds 0.75 gallons of water. A problem with many tree stands is the screws used to hold the trunk in place are susceptible to rusting. That is not a problem with this model thanks to the plastic, quick-turn bolts. The unit holds trunks with a thickness of up to 3 inches.

Several sites that review Christmas tree stands list this Good Tidings model among their top picks. The Z9 gave it high ratings because it is rustproof, has a large reservoir, allows for quick installation, and the polypropylene body is durable and reliable. DeWhiteHome, a site specializing in everything Christmas, ranked this stand as the top tabletop stand because of the strong, rustproof screws.

Amazon reviewers gave the tree 4 out of 5 stars overall. Buyers commented that this stand is able to accommodate trees as tall as 5 feet.

Pros: Rustproof, holds a wide array of smaller trees

Cons: Is not ideal for artificial trees

The Cinco Express Tree Stand is your best bet when you have a full-size tree but don't want to pay full-size prices.

The Cinco Express fits in the mid-sized tree stand range. It is ideal for real trees up to ten feet tall with a trunk diameter of up to 7 inches. This stand is made of heavy-duty plastic. The base features three galvanized pins in its center to hold the tree in place before final adjustments. A push-pull ratchet mechanism makes it easier to set up and take down your tree. The base has an overall diameter of 20 inches and fits 2 gallons of water.

Wirecutter listed the Cinco Express as the runner-up for best tree stand. They liked that the reservoir has an overflow basin to catch drips and that it's easy to fill. Thoroughly Reviewed also ranked this model as one of its top three Christmas tree stands because it is convenient, stores easily, and involves effortless installation for live trees.

The Cinco Express has more than 200 positive reviews on Amazon. Users report that set up is fairly quick, taking less than ten minutes. There were several reviewers who used the stand for trees that were 8 or 10 feet tall, and some noted that it could easily hold a twelve-foot-tall tree.

Buyers found that though the stand is made of plastic, it does not feel flimsy at all. There was one negative review from a verified purchaser who received an Express with bolt holes that were poorly drilled.

Pros: Quick-release bolts, overflow basin, large water reservoir

Cons: Made of plastic, inconsistent manufacturing

The best Christmas decorations you can buy

A beautifully decorated home is part of the wonder of the holiday season. We've rounded up the best decorating essentials for your home to make it easier for you.

That's why we've gathered up the top suggestions for a wide range of Christmas décor. Whether you go all-out decorating for the holidays, or just stick with a tree covered with a few glass balls, we've got the best of the best for your holiday home.

Here are the best Christmas decorations you can buy:

• Best tree stand: Krinner Tree Genie Christmas Tree Stand
• Best ornaments: Shop all ornaments at Target
• Best tree topper: Christmas Snowman Tree Hugger
• Best tree skirt: Primode Holiday Images 50-Inch Tree Skirt
• Best wreath for your front door: Woodland Eucalyptus Wreath
• Best stockings: Needlepoint Stockings from L.L. Bean
• Best garland: Home Accents Holiday Pre-Lit Plaza Garland
• Best advent calendar: Byer's Choice Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

The best Christmas lights you can buy

Holiday decorations bring feelings of warmth and cheer even in the darkest and coldest days of the year. Testing, setting up, and connecting Christmas lights can be anything but a joyful experience, though.

To that end, this year I've worked to assemble a buying guide filled primarily with holiday lights that not only look great, but that also make your life easier.

Here are the best Christmas lights you can buy:

• Best Christmas lights overall: KooPower Waterproof Battery Fairy Lights
• Best Christmas lights: Good Tidings Light Ceramic Multi-Colored Holiday Lights
• Best solar Christmas lights: VMANOO Solar Powered String Lights
• Best mini Christmas lights: Brizled LED Mini String Christmas Lights
• Best permanent Christmas lights: Everlights Starter Kit

The best tree skirts you can buy

Tree skirts add a dash of color and style to your holiday decor while hiding away that unsightly tree stand and all the Christmas light cords.

Here are the best tree skirts you can buy:

• Best tree skirt overall: Primode Holiday Images 50-Inch Tree Skirt
• Best traditional tree skirt: Valery Madelyn 48-Inch Tree Skirt
• Best mini tree skirt: VHC Brands Burlap Mini Tree Skirt
• Best affordable tree skirt: Ivenf Christmas Tree Skirt
• Best large tree skirt: Kurt Adler Embroidered and Pleated 60-Inch Tree Skirt

The best Christmas tree stands you can buy

The best Christmas tree stands are designed to last for many decades, have a stable base that holds plenty of water, are easy to set up, and store easily after the holidays are over.

Here are the best tree skirts you can buy:

• Best Christmas tree stand overall: Krinner Tree Genie Christmas Tree Stand
• Best screw-in Christmas tree stand: Jack-Post Welded Steel Christmas Tree Stand
• Best Christmas tree stand for artificial trees: National Tree Folding Tree Stand
• Best full-sized, live Christmas tree stand on a budget: Cinco C Express Tree Stand.