We moved in May and threw away our monstrosity of a tree that I hated putting up each year because it would take 1/2 the day just to put it together - that was before stringing lights and hanging ornaments. Big Lots had some nice pre-lit trees for sale a week and a half ago (until suppplies last - so I ran out the day the flyer came out). My previous tree was a 8 or 9 footer, I down sized us to a 6 footer.
We'll be putting up our tree tomorrow or Friday. Can't wait!
My dad is an awesome tree shopper - never occurred to me to check out department stores after Christmas - they don't generally want to keep their trees that they have up for the holidays, and you can get a steal of a deal on a tree that was one of their decorations, lights and all. It's essentially a brand new tree, was un-boxed just a few months prior. That's where my huge tree came from. Loved it the first few years until it just got to be a chore! LOL