I’m not sure why the manufacturers don’t just include a secure locking mechanism with the product itself. We’ve put together an amazing range of gifts to help you make your presents stand out from the rest. Steve was especially impressed with the easy setup, saying, “I’ve never been able to set up a Christmas tree by myself. THE best Christmas tree stands are designed to keep your tree secure and stable – and these days, you can find ones that look good, too.

Our sustainable firewood is sourced from managed woodlands within a 5 mile radius of Cirencester and is Ready to Burn Certified so has a moisture content below 20%. Finally, we tied a length of twine to each tree, in each stand, at a consistent spot about a third of the distance from the top. You simply set the tree in the stand, press several times on a foot pedal, and the five very sturdy plastic claws, looped together with a heavy-gauge metal wire, tighten down against the tree trunk to set it in position. Setting up a tree from a standing position and not having any bolts to tighten are pretty radical improvements on the traditional method. Simply place your tree in the open stand, pump the foot pedal until the 5 claws perfectly grab the tree trunk and the pedal is locked in place!Debi liked that the Krinner was “very solid” but said that the 18-pound weight made it, “a bit cumbersome” moving it up and down the stairs when taking it out and putting it away for the season. Like so many others, the Steel Welded Large Tree Stand, the Santa’s Solution Christmas Tree Stand, and the Gardenised Green Plastic Tree Stand hold the tree with four bolts that must be threaded the entire way in, a tedious process at best. Our Christmas tree decoration ideas are sure to give you some interesting suggestions for this season.

With its innovative foot pump, which allows you to crank the claws firmly around the trunk without using your hands, the Krinner Christmas Tree Genie eliminates the dicey, under-the-tree, bolt-tightening dance we all dread. Krinner is one of the most popular brands and one to watch – its stands require no fiddling with screws while trying to keep your eight-footer upright. As long as you can heave the tree into the Krinner’s open jaws, you may be able to manage it on your own.

In 2012, we took our top four stands to Adams Nurseries in Lancaster, New York, where the staff members generously loaned us a pair of trees to set up and take down. The Cinco Express is a better (and bigger) version of the typical stand, with a stable design, large reservoir, and a quick-release screw that makes adjustments easy. When the holiday season is finished, wash the interior of the basin with mild detergent and dry completely before putting in storage. This stand is made of a hard plastic, like the Krinner, and they both seem tough enough for the job. You know the design: Four bolts tighten against the tree trunk to stabilize it, and the bolts can thread in to grip a tree with a diameter as little as a 3½ inches.