Things To Consider Before You Go Off To Cut That Christmas Tree...
By Sharon Stajda,
Decide Where you will locate the tree in your home? Place the Tree. For obvious safety reasons make sure your tree will be well away from any heat source. It is also wise not to place the tree in front of a sunny windows, the sun will add to drying the tree, and needle loss. Keep the tree clear high traffic areas, where it might be bumped or overturned.
Time to take some measurement...measure the ceiling height, and the width of your intended placement space. Make sure to write the measurements down.. these numbers down on a piece of paper. Also, measure your tree stand to determine the maximum diameter what size tree it will hold? Remember to bring that measuring tape with you when you head off to get that perfect tree...
Things to lug along... Take heavy gloves to protect your hands. Again remember that measuring tape, and your paper with the measurements of the area the tree will go. You will want to protect your car from scratches, so bring an old blanket or tarp. You may need some rope, for securing the tree to your car? Have a bucket ready where ever you will be storing the tree, if you will not be putting it up as soon as it arrives. Keep tree stored in cool dry place, make sure the tree has ample luke warm water daily. Keep out of sun.
Pick the right tree stand... The tree stand should be sturdy and the right size for 
the tree of choice. The taller your tree, the bigger diameter of the trunk. So if you are going for a large tall tree, buy your stand accordingly.
IT Time To Pick The Tree...Trees with shorter needles, such as Frasser or Noble Fir are often easier to decorate than others, as they offer good space between branches for decorations, and will support some heavier ornaments. So if you want your ornaments to dangle, make sure you consider a tree with space between the branches.
Just How to know if a tree is fresh cut? The needles should look shiny, green, and fresh. -- not dry or brown. Take your hand to a branch, and slowly run it toward you. If you find more than a few needles, its not real fresh, and has already began to die.
Lets get that tree home... If possible lay the tree inside your car or trunk for the drive home. If you must have to transport the tree outside the vehicle, make sure it is well secured, wrapped in netting or that blanket you brought along.
Memories Are The Best Christmas Gift --They Last Forever...
Make Tree Shopping A Tradition--
Make picking the tree a family affair...
Dress for the weather...
Be ready to be browse through loads of trees...
Short Needle are good for hanging heavy decorations...
Long needled pine, great smell... More cat proof too...
Pick just the size to suit your space...
He drove our sleigh!
Cats Love the trees with softer needles.So pick a picky sturdy needle to keep your cat from playing in your tree...
Decorating the tree is so---much fun...
A Few Great Reference Articles--- All About Christmas Trees
- The Christmas Tree In England And America...
- A bit Of History on the Christmas Tree...
Coleridge's letter, as we have seen, was written in January 1826. In the succeeding December the English people were to obtain a nearer view of the Christmas tree. A great German lady, the Princess Lieven, who had taken up her residence for a season in London brought many German customs with her.---read on... - Who Is Santa Claus?
- If you go to England you will find many people there who have never heard of Santa Claus. Only the other day a leading London paper confessed that it could not understand why a magazine for children should be called St. Nicholas.--read on...
Tree Trivia...
Did you know--Ask the tree dealer where the tree was grown. If its in your general area, it will more likely be fresher.
Cats don't like the trees with sturdy, picky needles. So if you have a cat, and don't want it to topple the tree. Pick Picky...
Did you know, the minute the tree is cut it starts to die... So even if you have cut a tree, brought it home, let it sit in storage for a few days -- Cut off another 1/2 inch from the trunk. Other words your tree will go thirsty, and you will promote needle drop.So Chop, you won't have needle drop...
So Many Different Species of Tree?
Need Info On Which Tree Is Right For Your Needs?
- Christmas Trees & More-Tree Types...
- Check out this link. You will be sure to find the right Christmas tree, to suit all of your needs...
Christmas Tree Farm Locator... Check it out
- Need To Locate A Fresh Christmas Tree Farm - Near You?
- This web site will help you find a Chrisymas Tree farm "near your neck of the woods"
Tree Saftey Tips...
Check the water level every day.Secure the tree with wire to keep it from tipping.
Keep tree away from floor heaters, fire places, or other heat sources. Use only UL-listed lights, and no more than 3 strands linked together.
Use miniature lights--which have cool-burning bulbs. Turn off the Christmas lights when you sleep, or if you leave your home for very long.
Never use candles, even on artificial trees. Clean the tree stand to improve the tree's water intake, use one capful of bleach to a cup of water
Install a smoke detector or new batteries in the one(s) you have and TEST it.
Use only outdoor lights outside your home.
Examine light strings each year, discard worn ones.
Fasten the bulbs securely and point the sockets down to avoid moisture build up.
Connect no more than three strands together.
Never use indoor extension cords outside.
Avoid overloading wall outlets and extension cords. Keep outdoor electrical connectors above ground and out of puddles and snow.
When connecting light strands, wrap a plastic bag around connections and tie ends with teflon tape.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree, use colored spot lights. Make sure trees hung with X-mas lights are not touching power lines.
When using candles, place them a safe distance from combustibles.
Place candles in sturdy containers. Remember, hot wax burns kids.
What Type of tree Do You Prefer?
Here Are Just A Few Wonderful Articles On The Tradition Of The Christmas Tree...
- The Christmas Tree In History
- Ever wondered where the tradition of the Christmas tree got its start?
"Let us seek to study the historical growth of the idea that is now embodied in the Christmas tree." - The Christmas Tree In Europe
- "There is, indeed, a very popular German tradition which makes Martin Luther the inventor of the modern Christmas tree. One bright Christmas eve, it is said, as Luther was journeying home through a snowcovered country, he was more than ever struck by the wondrous spectacle of the star-lit sky above him." Please read on...
- Yule Tide And Christmas In Germany
- 'The Lutherans gave Martin Luther the credit of introducing the Christmas tree into Germany. He may have helped to make it popular, but certainly there is abundant evidence to prove that it was known long before the Reformer's time. It is generally supposed to have its origin in mythological times and to be a vestige of the marvelous tree, Yggdrasil." Please read on...
- The Christmas Tree Legend
- "We have seen that most of the ceremonies that have attended or still attend the season of Christmas may be traced back to a period long before the birth of Christ.
The Christmas tree is no exception to this rule. It is pagan, not Christian in its origin, though it has been adapted to Christian uses. It came down to us from the pagan Teutons and Scandinavians, and on the way it was Christianized in Germany and Holland, in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, long before it had been made holy in the same manner among the English-speaking peoples."
Please read on... - Yule Tide And Christmas In Spain
- "With antics and with fooleries, with shouting and with laughter, They fill the streets of Burgos-and the Devil he comes after."
In Spain, the land of romance and song, of frost and flowers, where at Yule-tide the mountains wear a mantle of pure white snow while flowers bloom gaily in field and garden, the season's observance approaches more nearly than in any other country to the old Roman Saturnalia.
Please read on... - Yule Tide And Christmas In France
- One would naturally imagine that such a pleasure-loving people as the French would make much of Christmas, but instead of this we find that with them, excepting in a few provinces and places remote from cities, it is the least observed of all the holidays. Please read on...
- Yule Tide And Christmas In Italy
- "ITALY! the land of Dante, Petrarch, Bocaccio, Raphael, Michelangelo, and a host of other shining lights in literature and art!
Can we imagine any one of them as a boy watching eagerly for Christmas to arrive ; saving up money for weeks to purchase some coveted dainty of the season ; rushing through crowded streets on Christmas Eve to view the Bambino, and possibly have an opportunity to kiss its pretty bare toe? How strange it all seems 1 Yet boys today probably do many of the same things they did in the long ago during the observance of this holy season in historic, artistic Italy."
Please read on... - Victorian Christmas Trees
- "German Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to England soon after his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840. The Queen made fashionable in her own country this German custom of decorating an evergreen with lighted candles, balls, and toys to symbolize the birth of Christ as the Light of the World, and New England followed her lovely lead. In German settled sections of America, the Christmas tree had already been introduced. After Charles F. E. Minnigerode placed a Christmas tree in the home of Nathaniel Beverly Tucker in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1842, many families in the South took up the German tradition."
Please read on... - Yule Tide And Christmas In Russia
- "There are certain general features of the Yule-tide observance that are typical of the country. One is the singing of their ancient Kolyada songs, composed centuries ago by writers who are unknown. They may have been sacrificial songs in heathen days, but are now sung with fervor and devotion at Christmas time." Please read on...
Rick Steves European DVD includes so many wonderful european traditions. Norway's Traditional Santa Lucia celebrations...
Check out this wonderful DVD - Rick Steves European Christmas - on Amazon
You can purchase it at the lowest price on Amazon... As low as $10.49 NEW
It shows his travels across Europe in the Christmas season. It shows all the wonderful European tradition's. Rick Steve's has always put out wonderful travel films, but this is a charmer! We have made watching it a Christmas tradition in our home. Its guarantied to captivate young and old...
Rick Steves' European Christmas
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008) 
Cranberry Wreath - you can make one , its easy
Visit My Lens - "Christmas Decoration - Craft A Festive Cranberry Wreath"
- Christmas Decoration - Craft A Festive Cranberry Wreath"
- In my home we have a great Holiday tradition, I would like to share...
On Thanksgiving Day, after the feast has been devoured, and dishes are done, and all in the house appears to be tidy again . Oh -and the men are in front if the TV watching football...
POOR SANTA !
Christmas CDs on Amazon
James Taylor at Christmas
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
A Very Special Christmas
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
Time-Life Music: Treasury of Christmas - Holiday Memories
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
Noel
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
The Christmas Album
Amazon Price: $8.97 (as of 11/21/2008)
Sweet Tablecloths on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Ornaments - on Amazon
Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration (with Christmas Ornament)
Amazon Price: $16.97 (as of 11/21/2008)
The 2007 White House Christmas Ornament
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008)
Lenox Snow White's Sweetest Treat Ornament
Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
AKC Puppies in Basket Christmas Figurine Yellow Labs Labradors
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008)
Crystal Antique Green Bead Lead Color Faceted Sphere 10 mm # 1502-10
Amazon Price: $0.20 (as of 11/21/2008)
A few great tree skirts - on Amazon
48" Thomas Kinkade Stonehearth Hutch Burgundy Christmas Tree Skirt #TK0145
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
56" Luxurious Burgundy Plush Christmas Tree Skirt With Leopard Trim
Amazon Price: $54.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
Xmas tree skirts - on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byVintage Greeding Cards - on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byI hope you will leave me a Christmas Tiding...
The_Party_Animal wrote...
Great info - post your lens on my Squidoo Home for the Holidays under: Christmas Trees - http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo-home-for-the-holidays
Posted October 15, 2008
lisadh wrote...
I love the smell of real trees. Last year I took my kids to cut one fresh, and they had a blast.
Posted October 03, 2008
Keaka77
I cant believe i just saw the Christmas tree skirt that my mom had when i was growing up. I just might have to buy it.
N2N bodywear
Posted August 20, 2008
LennyCastellaneta wrote...
Ya know, for years we've had an artificial tree. But after reading this, I'm inspired to get a real one this Christmas. Thanks!
Lenny
http://www.squidoo.com/lennycastellaneta/
Posted July 12, 2007
