Wow is it really that time already? It feels like only yesterday that we were all ringing in the New Year and yet here we are again, thinking about Christmas and the task of decorating our home.
Christmas trees are an integral part of the festive season and making sure that your money isn't wasted on a tree that lasts five minutes definitely helps keep up the festive spirit.
Fear not, I've hunted down all the best tips to help you figure out the best way to keep your new tree looking its twinkling best. Plus, it seems that even those who are not so green fingered (like my good self) are able to achieve that perfect tree with relatively little effort.
Follow these simple steps and you'll be well on your way to tree gorgeousness:
1. Buy a tree from a tree farm or somewhere you are able to choose from a variety of trees (via Wiki How To)
When choosing your tree, check that the tree's fresh. A simple way to do this is by running your finger along the lower branches. If the needles don't drop, it's a good 'un.
If you go to a shop where the trees are already bound, don't feel shy about asking them to unwrap them so that you can check the shape and look of the tree. You certainly don't want to find out at home that your lounge has been taken over by the lower branches no matter how good your new decor looks!
2. Before you bring the tree into your house, saw off about 1" (3 cm) from the bottom of the trunk at a slight angle (via It Will Soon be Christmas)
This helps the tree to soak up more water and so not dry out.
3. Place the tree into a tree stand
This is the best way to get your tree looking its 'straight' best. Don't be tempted by those trees you see already set into a block of wood - there's no way for these trees to drink and so your needles will drop before you can say 'Merry Christmas'.
4. When deciding on where to put your tree, make sure that the tree is as far from radiators and heat sources as possible (via It Will Soon be Christmas)
Heating can really zap the moisture from your tree, which is an obvious no no!
5. Make sure your tree has plenty of water (via The Garden Helper)
Your new tree could drink up to five litres in the first day and from then on one to two litres every day! I guess it's thirsty work looking so beautiful.
Leaving your tree without water can mean terrible news. If left for six hours without water, the bottom of the tree can seal up meaning that even when you water the tree later it won't be able to drink and you'll have to go back to Step 2 before it can drink again. Eeeek!
Other tree-preserving help
To help your tree live longer, help it on its way with some
tree preservative. Although the evidence is inconclusive, I can't help
but think that a little medicine may discourage those dreaded dropping
needles.
One way is to fill the reservoir with eHow's recipe of 50% water to 50% fizzy lemonade. This is said to provide much needed food and nutrients to the tree. Or you could try the tree preservative recipe that Budget101 have come up with using bleach and corn syrup to help your tree last into the new year.
When you've gone through all these steps, you will of course be looking to decorate your tree and what better way than the handmade way? Follow Crafty Crafty's Handmade Christmas Countdown over the next few weeks for some very inspiring decorations and ideas for sprucing up your tree.
[Image from: ShedBOy^ on Flickr]
