Buying and Caring for Your Christmas Tree








BUYING A CHRISTMAS TREE

Determine where in your home you will display your tree.
With this in mind, you will be able to tell what height you will need and whether all four sides must be suitable for display.

You should select a tree that is the right height for the space you have chosen for it.
Cutting large portions off either end will alter the natural taper of the tree.

Freshness is the key when selecting your tree.
The needles should be resilient, but not brittle.
Run your finger down a branch -- needles should adhere to twigs.

Shake or bounce the tree on the ground lightly to see that the needles are firmly attached.
If only a few drop off, the tree is fresh and with proper care should retain its freshness indoors throughout the holiday season.

The limbs should be strong enough to hold ornaments and strings of electric lights, and the tree should have a strong fragrance and good green color.

Be sure it displays the best qualities for that particular species.
CHRISTMAS TREE CARE

If you buy your tree several days before it will be set up and decorated, store it ouside.
Cut the butt of the tree at a diagonal about one inch above the original cut -- this opens the pores and aids in the absorption of water.
Place the butt end in a container of water.

When you bring it into the house, saw the butt again, squaring off the diagonal.
This facilitates placing the tree in a stand as well as aiding absorption.

Keep the butt end of the tree in a container of water the entire time it is in the house.
Refill the container daily, as the tree requires a lot of water.
Sprinkling water on the branches and needles before you decorate the tree will help retain freshness.

Be sure that the base of the tree is well supported and the tree is placed away from fireplaces, radiators, electric heaters, televisions or any other heat source.

Open flames, such as lighted candles, should never be used on or near the tree.
In addition, never leave your home with the Christmas tree lights still on.



CHRISTMAS TREE SAFETY

Make sure the tree stand you use is large enough to support your tree, or else it may topple over.

Use only fire-resistant ornaments.

Never put lit candles on a tree.

To reduce risk of fire, choose a fresh tree that has no evidence of drying -- brown needles or needles that fall off easily.

More fire prevention: Spray the tree with a fire retardant before you decorate it, and keep it well watered and away from all heat sources.

Dispose of the tree when it becomes so dry that large amounts of needles fall off.

Avoid angle hair, since it's made of spun glass, a skin irritant to some people.



STORING ORNAMENTS

Wrap strings of tree lights around cardboard paper towel tubes.
Taping down the ends prevents unraveling.

Use the divided boxes from wine or soda to store your other ornaments.

Store tiny ornaments in egg cartons to prevent loss or breakage.

When packing your decorations away in boxes, store your heavier ornaments ont he bottom and the lighter ones on top, with layers of paper towels or newspapers in between



SIMPLE TREE GARLANDS

Cranberries
Unsalted popcorn
Peanuts in shells, sprayed gold or silver
Big sequins
Miniature bows