It’s that time of year again – it’s time to decorate the Christmas tree! Before you start lugging out the decorations and ornaments, here are 10 of the best Christmas tree tips and tricks that are not only practical, they are cost effective and safe for both artificial and live trees.
10 Best Christmas Tree Tips & Tricks for This Year
Thanks to our friends from Ulta-Lit Tree Company, we’re happy to provide you with both practical and convenient safety Christmas tree tips for this season. Thank you!
Artificial Christmas Tree Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t Leave the House without Measuring first
Unlike real trees, cutting a bit off the top or bottom isn’t an option. Determine your ceiling height, and subtract a foot to leave room for the tree and topper just to be in the safe zone.
Do Add Scent
Artificial trees may look like the real thing, but they definitely don’t smell like it. Thankfully, with the use of additives like ScenTree it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s a new holiday fragrance home diffuser that combines the scent of a Christmas tree with the festive and nostalgic scents of cooking, cocktails, and more. There are also scented sticks that can be added into the branches for a realistic scent as well.
Don’t Store Your Tree in the Cardboard Box It Came In
Instead, consider a designated box or bag that is designed to keep moisture out. Moisture commonly found in basements and garages can cause mold or mildew, and even fade the color of the tree. Some bags are even designed to be stored vertically, saving floor space.
Do Fluff Up Your Tree to Amp Up the Realism
Artificial trees can look a bit sparse. To increase fullness, pick up a real or fake garland and loosely wrap the tree from top to bottom. You can also add in pine or silk floral picks to give a more realistic appearance and to lessen the empty spaces.
Do Check for Broken Bulbs or Sockets, Burnt Out Lights, and Loose Connections
To make sure your tree is always bright, consider having a repair solution on deck. The LightKeeper Pro and LED Keeper repair broken incandescent and LED light sets used for holiday decorations.
Live Christmas Tree Do’s and Don’ts
Do Wait a Few Days to Put Lights on a Live Tree
While it’s not necessary, it can make decorating easier, since the branches will have time to “flower” and settle. So, consider purchasing a live tree midweek and then waiting until the weekend to decorate it.
Don’t Place Your Live Christmas Tree within Three Feet of a Radiator or Any Heat Source
According to the National Fire Protection Association, live-tree fires outnumber artificial-tree fires by 3-1 and cause 20x more injuries. So, play it safe and keep both live and artificial trees away from heat sources.
Do Put Up at Least 100 Lights Per One Vertical Foot of Your Tree
For example, if you have a 7-foot tall tree, you’ll want at least 700 lights on it to make it really shine. Serious decorators often double that amount. Additionally, consider a light timer that plugs into your cords or a tree light pedal to push to make it much easier to turn them on and off.
Don’t Throw Out a Whole Light Set Before Attempting to Repair It
And, check your lights before stringing them up on the tree. Use the LED Keeper or LightKeeper Pro to identify the bad bulb and fix the shunt.
Do Water Your Live Christmas Tree Daily
Be sure to cut ½ inch off the stump once the tree is bought or when you get it home. A poorly watered tree will lose its scent quicker. and will dry out faster To keep that Christmas scent in the air, consider using a diffuser which can hang on the tree like an ornament to prolong the pine scent.
Bonus Tip – Christmas Trees and Pets
As a gal that’s had kitties all of her life, I have to write about pet safety and Christmas trees. Please keep in mind that pets are curious by nature, so leave your precious and delicate ornaments to the top of the tree so there’s no urge to chomp or play with them. Additionally, tinsel and garland can become a hazard if swallowed, so keep them away from the furry babies as well.
For more safety tips, Caesar has some great ones for Christmas trees and pets.