If you are planning on purchasing a live or fresh Christmas tree this year, there are many factors that need to be determined in order to get the best Christmas tree for you and your home.
Here are the steps for how to choose the right Christmas tree.
photo courtesy of Regan76 flickr.com/photos/j_regan/3108084111/
Measure
Don't take chances - measure the ceiling height of the room that your Christmas tree will be in.
Make sure the tree is away from heat sources that might dry it out or flames from candles or a fireplace.
Keep in mind that the tree will be sitting a bit off the ground in the Christmas tree stand and will most likely have a tree topper on it, so you should get a tree at least one foot shorter than your ceiling height.
Also consider the width of your Christmas tree.
Most trees are bundled to easily fit though your door, but also consider the width around furniture and walkways.
Know the maximum diameter of the tree trunk that will fit inside your Christmas tree stand.
Budget
Determine your budget prior to going shopping.
Many first time buyers get sticker shock when they see the price of their perfect tree.
Smaller and more common Christmas trees can be priced around $30 while taller and more full Christmas trees can cost hundreds of dollars.
How to Get it Home
Determine how you will get your Christmas tree home.
Will it fit inside or on top of your car?
Should you bring some sort of protector for your car?
Will the Christmas tree store deliver and/or install if the tree is heavy?
What to Bring
When going Christmas tree shopping, you should bring a tape measure and durable work gloves.
If the weather is chilly, make sure to bring warm clothing since you may be outside for quite a while finding the right Christmas tree, paying for it, and loading it in your car.
Retailer
You should speak with your Christmas tree retailer to find out when their shipments arrive.
Many stores get several shipments during the Christmas season.
Try to purchase your Christmas tree soon after the shipment arrives.
If you plan on keeping your Christmas decorations up the entire 12 days of Christmas, purchase your Christmas tree in mid or late December instead of right after Thanksgiving to ensure it stays fresh.
Check for Freshness
You should get the freshest tree possible in order for it to stay looking nice for the longest period of time.
There are 3 ways to check for freshness.
First, stand up the Christmas tree and hold it about 4" off the ground. Keeping the tree upright, drop it to the ground to see how many needles fall off. Ideally, you should have very few needles fall off.
Secondly, you should also look for brown needles. Keep in mind that many Christmas trees are artificially colored slightly, so the brown parts may not be evident.
Thirdly, run your hands along the branches to see how well the needles stay attached. Needles should not fall off and the needles should not be brittle or stiff.
Is it Straight?
Nobody wants a crooked Christmas tree, so ensure that your tree is straight.
Look at the base of the trunk to ensure it does not have any bends.
Not only will a bent trunk make the tree crooked, but it may also not allow it to be properly secured in the tree stand.
Clean It
Before putting the Christmas tree on or inside your car, ensure that it has been cleaned.
Many stores will shake your tree for you to remove bugs and other items you do not want inside your home.
Trim Trunk
Immediately before putting your Christmas tree in the stand with cold or warm water (not hot), trim about 1 inch of trunk off the tree to aid in it absorbing water and staying fresh.
