Aaaah, yes! We’ve all done it once or twice. Charlie Brown wasn’t the first to wrangle this rodeo!
Now, I love – I mean reallllly love – a good ol’ fashioned freshly-cut deliciously smelling pine tree. I mean, isn’t this the whole point of having a tree at all? Just for a moment, close your eyes. Inhale the imaginary scent of wintry balsam. You’re nodding. Yup, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Alas … for many of us, it’s not always the most practical of options (hello Floridians!). Or, frankly, sometimes it’s just a darned hassle. But whether you go tree-farm live or prefabricated, you can screw them all up just the same. Here's how ...
-
Select the thickest, most branchy tree you can find. This same rule applies for either live or artificial trees, so don’t be fooled! I mean, who doesn’t love it when ornaments are so crammed into the branches that you can’t even see them hanging in full glory? In all seriousness, actually how to pick a Christmas tree is something that many overlook when thinking about new purchases. Consider trees with shorter needles, such as Fraser or Noble Firs, that offer a bit more space between branches so that ornaments have room to hang straight.
Also, note the strength of the branches themselves. Are they sturdy enough to hold heavier ornaments without drooping or pulling? Consider taking a couple of your favorite Christmas tree decorations with you while shopping. Give them a test run.
-
Don’t bother measuring your space. There is nothing more cheer-busting than a 6-foot tree in a cathedral-ceilinged living room. It’s like having to wear bifocals to read the fine print. If you want to make a statement (or even rate your efforts even remotely worthwhile), either select a tree that matches your space, or compensate for the tree and space you already use. Your goal is to leave enough room for your topper with approximately 6-12 inches of space between the topper and the ceiling. For smaller trees, consider propping them up on top of a sturdy trunk or table for maximum height.
-
Tree stands don’t matter. Nope. Nope. Stands do matter, my friends. Don’t be fooled by that cute little attachment that came with your tree. Here’s the basic down low. The taller your tree; the larger your stand. The fatter your tree trunk; the larger your stand. The wider your envy-of-all-but-water-guzzling live tree; the larger your stand. Do you see the pattern? Many would also argue that metal stands are superior to plastic, but I’ve seen some pretty impressive (and expensive!) plastic stands that are just as hardy. Don’t hesitate to upgrade, if needed. Remember, you likely have many years’ worth of cherished ornaments hanging from your branches. Don’t risk your tree falling over and crushing them to pieces. Check your stands.
-
Play Scrooge with your string lights. A good rule of thumb is to plan on 100 lights for every foot of a tree’s height. So, for a 6-foot tree, you’ll want at least 600 lights. Be sure to plug them in before draping on the tree for a quick check! And when you’re ready, start at the top and work your way down to the bottom. Be sure to weave them in and out so that some are tucked a littler deeper into the branches while other lights are closer to the tips for a more relaxed look.
P.S. Here's one of my favorite tips about Christmas tree lights for lazy folks: Grab a few sets of outdoor web lights, toss them over your tree in 3-4 sections, and call it a day. Bam. Done. I did that one year in a pinch, and none the wiser.
- Forget to add dihydrogen oxide to your base. Yup, if you have a live tree and skip this step, you’re realllly up the creek! It’s shocking how many people forget this step or do it once and then forget about it again later. Don’t be that So what exactly is dihydrogen oxide and why do you need this? It’s water – just plain ol’ tree-guzzling water. Though there are additives you can purchase to help your tree last longer, plain water is really all you need if you water consistently. In fact, for the first few days, plan on checking your levels every few hours. No joke. Set a timer if you must. Dry needles are a frowny face, and no one wants Smokey Bear to join in on Christmas.
Once you’ve got these basics in place, you’re ready for the fun part – decorating!! We’ll talk about Christmas tree ideas and how to style your masterpiece in the next article, so dust off your glass balls (be kind!), ornate finials, quirky favorites, and cherished school-crafted mementos. It’s time to bring your beauty to life!
