After 20 yrs I finally convinced my husband to get an artificial pre-lit tree.  He was not thrilled about a "plastic tree" as he called it! I got it assembled, spent about 1 1/2 hrs fluffing it out to make it full and real looking, decorated it and he even admitted that it was a very nice looking tree!  I do not think (nor does he!) that it looks "plastic" at all.  I'm super happy with my new Christmas tree!