I like the pre-lit idea.

 

Go with it, Bill. It saves a ton of time. No tangled up lights either.

We bought a not too tall tree, we put it on the box my computer came in, covered the box with a sheet and a Christmas tree skirt. Smaller tree, less of a PIA to deal with. If I could leave it decorated and tucked into a corner of the basement, I would.

 

That's a good idea too. We could cover it with a tarp and leave it all decorated. I'll have to go to Walmart this weekend.

 

I had that idea as a kid, actually. My proposition was to have a trap door in the ceiling and have the tree on a pulley. Have an eye bolt under the angel at the top, and clip a carabiner to it. You just open the door and haul it up into the attic. Unfortunately, the attic wasn't quite tall enough for it.

But it was a good idea. Especially for an 8 year old.