Christmas Tree For Christmas Party

When it comes to Christmas decorations, there is no substitute for a real, live Christmas tree. Live trees require special care when they are inside your home. Each year, up to 300 Christmas tree fires are reported in the U.S. alone. Here are some tips to care for your tree, and to have a safe holiday season.

Christmas Tree

The most important safety tip for live trees is to keep them watered! A dry tree is a far greater fire hazard than a well-watered tree. Depending on the size of your tree and your local climate, a live tree can drink up to 1 1/2 gallons of water per day. If the stand is out of water, fill it back up.

Christmas Tree

Before placing your tree into the stand, use a hacksaw or axe to cut 1/2 inch off the bottom of the trunk. This will remove any dried sap and allow the tree to more easily absorb water.

Christmas Tree

Make sure your tree is drinking water. If the water level in the stand doesn't seem to be going down for more than a day, then your tree isn't taking up water. This could lead to a dangerous drying out. Check the trunk for dried sap or other obstructions.

Christmas Tree

Verify that your stand is not leaking water. A stand that leaks is dangerous for two different reasons. First, it fools you into thinking the tree is drinking more water than it actually is, which could lead to a dry tree. Second, cords from lights or other decorations may drag across the water outside the stand, creating an electrical fire hazard. If you suspect that your stand is leaking, fix or replace it immediately.

Christmas Tree

Dispose of your tree before it dries out. A well-watered tree can last for 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the size and your local climate. Once the needles start to turn brown or start falling off, the tree is drying out and needs to be disposed of.

Christmas Tree

Place your tree at least 3 feet from fireplaces, furnaces, radiators and other sources of heat. Although this seems like an obvious tip, many people still place their tree directly next to the fireplace. Although a well-watered tree isn't easy to ignite, it can and does happen. Be safe: put the tree somewhere else.

Christmas Tree

Christmas trees are a wonderful tradition among Christians and non-Christians as well, but there are so many choices available. There are real ones, artificial ones, table top ones, red ones, pink ones, and much more. Although all trees are wonderful, how do you pick one that is perfect for you and the space it will be in? Here are 5 steps to picking a great tree.

Christmas Tree

Money is certainly a factor. An 8 foot live tree in New York City or Miami will most likely cost you much more than $100, maybe much more. You'll need to set a budget. Keep in mind that a live tree, unless perhaps potted, will only last one year, where an artificial tree will last many years. You can spend more on an artificial tree as it will last several years. If it is a high quality one, it may outlive you, where a cheapie is not going to last nearly as long.

Christmas Tree

Decide on whether you want a live or artificial tree. Live ones are pretty much farmed using economically sound principles these days so that is not an issue. Live trees do require more care, shed needles, can be fire hazards, and need to be somehow disposed of afterwards. With an artificial tree, although they do not have that wonderful natural smell, you have less fuss and mess. You also have an enormous range of options available in styles and colors, ranging from natural looking to very unnatural looking but funky, for example an upside down purple tree.

Christmas Tree

Size is a big issue. Measure your space and remember that trees always look bigger inside. You may have space for big one, but that doesn't mean you want the biggest tree that will fit there. If you have a small space, you may want to consider a so called "table top" tree, usually one which is 5 feet tall or less, often even less than 3 feet.

Christmas Tree

If you decide on an artificial tree, after size, the most important decision is whether you want a natural looking tree or a funky looking but unnatural looking one, for example a pink tree with purple lights.

Christmas Tree

The fifth step is really the first - start early. If you start looking a few days before Christmas, your choices are going to be limited compared to if you start at Thanksgiving. Also keep in mind that when looking for artificial trees, sometimes you can get great deals after the holidays!