Taking time to prepare your home and yourself for a Christmas tree can help make your Christmas season stress-free. So before you dash out to find that perfect tree take a little extra time to get ready. This planning will save you a lot of headaches.
Location: Not only is it vital to the flow of your house and the success of your decorations, but also is a key safety concern when bringing trees into your home. Consider the list of things below before selecting your location:
- No heat sources
- Away from bright sunny windows
- Height of the ceilings
- Height the stand will add to the tree
- Outlet location
Decorations: What kind of decorations are you planning on using? If you have heavy ordainments and lots of lights you’ll want to look at trees with softer needles and sturdy branches. To learn about what tree types fit your needs see the article on About.com to help you decide which type is right for you.
Allergies: Since Christmas trees are usually cut in October; while they are stored they often collect dust, pollen and mold. However, it is rare that a tree would produce pollen at this point in the season. Asthma and allergies can still flair up due to the extra mold and dust brought into the house. If you or family members have trouble with allergies there are a few steps you can take.
- Wear a mask and gloves while decorating the tree. That way you don’t carry the dander or mold to the rest of the house.
- Shake the tree out before bringing it in. Try to leave as much as the mold and dust outside as possible.
- You can also try washing the tree off with water before bringing it inside. Be sure to let your tree dry completely before bringing it inside
- Spraying your tree with a fungicide can also help. Be sure to select a non-toxic, odorless, mold-resistant spray. It’s key to select the right kind, because these sprays can aggravate your allergies also. Again, let the spray dry completely before bringing the tree into your home.
Stands:
- Make sure you have one and know where it is located.
- Again, know how much height your stand will add to your tree and select a tree accordingly.
- Know the maximum width of trunk your stand can hold.
- Ensure it’s sturdiness (a bad stand can lead to tree-tipping–it’s never fun to clean up a tipped over Christmas tree).
Now that you’ve thought through all the important aspects of getting a tree, it’s time to head to the farm! To find the farm closest to you, check out our directory page where tree farms are listed by state.
