There's something about a fresh Christmas tree that feels instantly festive. But once the holidays are over, you're left with a needle-shedding dead plant to toss out. Another option is to decorate with a potted tree that you can stash your gifts under, and then plant out in your yard once you've removed all the tinsel and baubles.
How long do you wait to decorate a real Christmas tree?
After placing the tree in the stand, trim away any rope or twine. This will allow the tree to open, the boughs will come down slightly and the tree will return to its natural shape. We suggest leaving the tree to open for 24 hours.
How long should I let my tree sit before decorating?
Make sure the tree is straight. Before decorating let the tree sit for a while to "settle" into its shape. Some suggest just an hour or so, others overnight.
How long does a Christmas tree need to settle?
Tree TLC. Your Christmas tree is a short-term visitor, so it is only right to treat it properly. Un-net your tree and leave it to stand for 24 hours before decorating so that the branches can settle into place.
Will Christmas tree branches relax?
Let the tree relax before trimming Once set up, your tree's branches will continue to relax and fall into their final place.
Do Christmas trees need sugar water?
Be sure to replace the water that is used each day and don't allow the stand to dry out. Do not add sugar, aspirin, bleach or floral preservatives to the water; plain tap water is all that is needed to keep your tree fresh.
What is the best way to decorate a real Christmas tree?
9:1513:50Ultimate REAL Christmas Tree Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown. Or you can weave vertically from top to bottom bottom to top and that's the way i'm going toMoreDown. Or you can weave vertically from top to bottom bottom to top and that's the way i'm going to do it because it means moving my ladder a whole lot less let me.
How do you acclimate a Christmas tree?
Acclimate your tree to warmer temperatures by storing it in an unheated (but not freezing) garage or enclosed porch for 3-4 days before bringing it inside. Keep your tree indoors for no more than 7-10 days. While indoors, keep the tree in the coolest spot possible, away from heaters, heat ducts, fireplaces, or stoves.
How do you prepare a real Christmas tree?
Proper Christmas Tree CareMake a fresh cut. Before you bring the tree into your home and place it in a stand, re-cut the trunk at least one inch from the bottom just before putting it in the stand. ... Choose a spot away from heat sources. ... Water immediately. ... Don't add anything to the water. ... Check water level daily.
Does spraying a Christmas tree with water help?
You should spray your tree with room temperature water at least once a day but only when the Christmas lights are off and unplugged. Spraying your tree daily will reduce the dryness, prevent excessive amounts of needles from falling off, and make the tree more resistant against fire and flames.
Are you supposed to fluff a real Christmas tree?
Fluff the branches The number one strategy when it comes to making a Christmas tree look fuller is to fluff the branches. This is important whether the tree is real or artificial as the branches can become squashed during transport or, for artificial trees, during storage.
How do you fluff a Christmas tree quickly?
1:153:35How To Fluff Your Fake Christmas Tree Like a Pro - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you want to really flip. And you really want to take care and time and fluffing each branchMoreSo you want to really flip. And you really want to take care and time and fluffing each branch making sure that each one of them is kind of positioned.
Do you fluff real Christmas trees?
Once you've roughly separated the main branches, it's time to get fluffing! "Put your hands inside the tree and start fluffing from the inside, working your way out to make sure you do every branch," says Annie.
Does it hurt a tree to put nails in it?
Generally, no, something the size of a nail hammered into a tree won't hurt it. The nail would most likely be inserted about an inch to an inch and a half into the bark. "The tree should compartmentalize and heal the wound around it," says Grant Jones, technical advisor with Davey Tree Company in Kent, Ohio.
When decorating a tree what goes on first?
Tree LightsStep 1: Hang Your Christmas Tree Lights The first step in how to decorate a Christmas tree is adding the lights. Tree lights typically come on green or white wire strands, though you can also find black variations now, which are perfect if you happen to have a black Christmas tree.
How long should you leave a tree staked?
How long should the tree be staked? A general rule is from six months to two years maximum, but trees should be examined regularly and stakes removed as soon as a tree is stable.
When should you Unstake a tree?
It's important to remove them a year after planting or after one full growing season. If trees are left staked for too long, the stakes can end up hindering growth, so don't forget about them!
REAL CHRISTMAS TREE: LIGHT TIPS
If you are used to decorating a prelit Christmas tree then putting up your own lights for the first time can be a little daunting. And I’ll admit, it’s not my favorite part of decorating the tree. But with practice, it becomes easier every year!
REAL CHRISTMAS TREE: TOPPER
The very first thing you should put on your Christmas tree is your topper! Because once all of your ornaments are added it will be difficult to get to the top of the tree without knocking them down.
REAL CHRISTMAS TREE: PICKS
I’ve learned a valuable lesson when working with real Christmas trees in the past few years and it’s that LESS IS MORE!
REAL CHRISTMAS TREE: RIBBON VS GARLAND
Speaking of LESS IS MORE! My number one tip for decorating your real Christmas tree: Don’t use ribbon!
REAL CHRISTMAS TREE: ORNAMENTS
When decorating any Christmas tree, whether it be real or fake, you need to pick a theme!
HOW TO CREATE BALANCE ON A REAL CHRISTMAS TREE
Everyone knows the key to a good Christmas tree is creating the perfect balance of ornaments. But I would say even more so for a REAL Christmas tree!
TREE SKIRT VS TREE COLLAR
Once you have your tree all decorated it’s time to dress it up with a skirt or a collar!
How to decorate a Christmas tree after lights are strung?
After the lights have been strung around the Christmas tree, it’s time to add beads and garland to the tree. At this point you may want to turn off your Christmas lights so you can better see where any gaps might be on your tree. I start at the top of the tree and gently put beads around the tree. Depending upon how full you want your tree to look, you can either add a lot or little.
What to do after decorating a tree?
Once you have finished decorating the tree, it’s time to clean up the mess! Real trees drop a ton of needles when you’re decorating. I like to vacuum and sweep up as many tree needles as possible at this point. Once everything is cleaned up, it’s time to put either a tree skirt or tree collar around the base of your tree.
What to put on a Christmas tree after adding beads?
After adding beads and garland to your tree, it’s time to add bows and any artificial or dried flowers. I like to use wire ribbon and I tie little bows all over the edges of the Christmas tree branches. I also use faux poinsettias with clips and I clip them onto the tree.
How do I put a fresh Christmas tree in a tree stand?
You will first want to put your Christmas tree in a good tree stand and make sure it’s standing level and screwed in tight. Once the tree is secure, I add water to the tree stand so the tree can start drinking water.
When to put a tree topper?
Once all lights have been strung on the tree, it’s time to add the tree topper. We’ve done all sorts of tree toppers over the years. We’ve had a lit star, a Saint Nicholas, an angel, and this year a bow. There’s so many fun ways you can top your tree and no right or wrong way! I do like to put the tree topper on at this point so that I don’t knock any ornaments or decor off the tree later on in the process.
What do you do when you decorate with bows and flowers?
I was once told that when you decorate with bows and flowers you want everything to make a shape of a triangle. So as you add to the tree, follow a pattern so that you’re making a triangular pattern.
Is it good luck to put a bird's nest on a Christmas tree?
Legend has it that putting a bird’s nest in your Christmas tree is good luck .
How to decorate a Christmas tree professionally?
To decorate your Christmas tree and give it a professional look, add a pretty holiday ribbon. The addition will boost its visual appeal.
What does it mean when you decorate a Christmas tree like a pro?
When you decorate your Christmas tree like a pro, you'll enhance the holiday spirit in your home.
How to add ribbon to Christmas tree?
If you want to add a ribbon that cascades down your tree, start at the top and tie the ribbon's end to your Christmas tree. Then, shift the ribbon so that it hangs in and out of the tree branches in gentle waves.
How many lights should I use for a 6 foot Christmas tree?
If you have a 6-foot-tall tree, then you'll want to string about 600 lights.
Why do Christmas lights reflect off ornaments?
The reason for this is that the lights will reflect off your ornaments when you're putting them in place. The reflection makes it harder to spot the holes.
What is a tree skirt?
A tree skirt will cover up tree stands as well as the tree trunk. Tree skirts also protect your floor from pine needles and any water that spills when you water a live tree.
Why do we need a theme for Christmas tree?
A theme will also make it easier for you to decorate your tree.
How to decorate a tree?
The decorations should be evenly spaced out around the whole tree, even the parts that are not directly in view. If your tree is located in the corner of a room, pull it away from the wall while you decorate so that you have easier access to every side. Natural trees might have some thin or bare spots where there just aren’t as many branches. Try to fill those bare spots with decorations that naturally take up more space, like larger ornaments, pom poms or bows. If a bare spot cannot be filled in, position the tree so that the empty area is harder to see or at best hidden completely.
How to make a Christmas tree look dark?
A good way to check to see if you’ve got the whole tree covered is to turn off the rest of the lights in the room, take a step back and squint at your fully lit Christmas tree. This will cause any bare sections to stand out as obvious dark spots. Adjust and rearrange the lights, filling in those dark spots until the lights are uniformly spread out across the whole tree.
What is the crowning jewel of a Christmas tree?
The crowning jewel of a Christmas tree is the topper you place on its highest branch. The traditional tree topper is a golden sta r, meant to symbolize the star of Bethlehem that appears in the Nativity story in the Bible. But there are other options, too, from doll versions of angels and Santa to elaborately tied bows. Try to go with the topper that complements the theme of the rest of your decorations the best.
Do you put Christmas lights on the tree before you put them on the tree?
Once your tree is fully set up in the perfect location, it’s time to start the decorating process. The Christmas lights should go on the tree before anything else. Before you put them on the tree, test your light strands to make sure they’re functioning correctly. Then, you can either fix any broken lights or buy new ones.
Save money next year
With an artificial Christmas tree, you can save money in the long run. Faux Christmas trees have a hefty upfront cost, often averaging around $200 or more for a large, realistic tree. However, you can easily box them up and put them away at the end of the season, until the next time Christmas rolls around.
Lighting can be included
Stringing lights around your tree can be time-consuming, and the illumination can draw attention to any barren or patchy parts of the tree. If you opt for a fake Christmas tree, consider purchasing one with in-tree lighting. You can opt for yellow, colored, or blue lights with most trees.
Plenty of design options
Do you want a white tree? A natural-looking evergreen? Maybe you prefer a pink miniature tree? Or a tree with faux snow? Fake Christmas trees have an abundance of styles, shapes, and colors to choose from, meaning you can get one that matches your personality and design style.
Great for families that need ease around the holidays
Fake Christmas trees are low-maintenance. While live trees can wither, lose leaves, leak sap, and need frequent watering to survive, fake Christmas trees only require initial setup. After you’ve put up the tree, you can sit back and relax for the holidays. For busy families, it’s not always possible to put in the extra care for a live tree.
An affordable option upfront
Real Christmas trees tend to be more affordable upfront. Often, real trees are grown and shipped locally, so there is less cost in production and transportation. On average, Christmas trees can range from $50-$150 depending on where the tree is purchased and its size.
Handpick your tree
Real trees can become whatever you want them to be however you want. If you go to a tree farm or local outdoor store, you can find the perfect tree for your home whether you want big or small, bushy or skinny, and sparse or full.
Get an authentic look
The natural pine smell, the feel of live leaves, and the captivating presence of such a large plant can be a gorgeous addition to your holiday decor. There is something truly magical about hiking through the snow at your local tree farm to select the perfect tree for your home.
