December 8th, 2008
Product Review: Thomas Kincaide Illuminated Tree Village
If you’re wondering why we have a product review instead of “Sound Advice,” it’s because this tree offers a solution for people with too-curious cats, like our guest-blogger Rana Williamson. Read on, to find out how.
Andy has an addiction. Brooms. Hairbrushes. Vacuum cleaner attachments with bristles. Christmas tree branches. Andy is a ten-pound much beloved house cat who cost me a pretty penny last holiday season when, on the morning of the 23rd, we found ourselves in the vet clinic getting his little gut X-rayed because I had good reason to believe he’d actually eaten an ornament. My tiny tree came down, replaced with a rather sickly tree-shaped candle, and my search for a cat-proof Christmas tree began.
After months of looking at items and rejected them as either too cheesy or not sufficiently feline-fortified, I finally bought The Thomas Kinkade Illuminated Tree Village from Hammacher Schlemmer ($134.95 before shipping, roughly $150 with.) At 15” tall, the one-piece unit is almost exactly the size of my previous tree. With 12 tiny cottages nestled in an ascending spiral through the snow-covered branches, the whole scene comes to life when powered by the included AC adapter or optional 3 AA batteries.
A single star tops the tree above a tiny church with windows aglow, a family in a horse-drawn sleigh approaching the door. There are more than 40 villagers and other details throughout, like a vintage Ford truck, a couple building a snowman, kids skating on a frozen pond, and tiny dogs cavorting in the snow. The whole invites mental story telling, especially in a dim room in the evening when you find yourself wondering what’s going on behind the minuscule doors and windows.
I frankly hadn’t intended to spend quite this much, but I’m completely satisfied with the Thomas Kinkade tree. It does not look kitschy, the lighting is subtle and warm, and best of all? Andy hasn’t looked at the thing twice. If you’re in need of a cat-proof Christmas tree or just a cozy addition to your existing holiday decorations, you’ll fall in love with this tree village and all those who live in its branches.
