Christmas Trees ~ Buying Guide & Tips

The heart of all holiday decorating is with the beloved Christmas tree, which represents spiritual inspiration and a wonderful family tradition. Oh what fun it is to gather together, play Christmas carols, and adorn the tree with garland, beads and ornaments. Topping it all off with a beautiful tree-topper, star, or angel.

As retailers gear up for another season of record-breaking sales, they offer more choices in types, styles and colors of trees. Whether you're looking for a real or artificial tree, the decision is not an easy one and with the costs involved, you'll want to make the right choice. Depending on how detailed you want your Christmas tree to be, you can opt for all the goodies, or keep it simple with a pre-decorated tree.

Real Trees

It's just a preference, but many people are willing to deal with the inconveniences of a real tree because they enjoy the fresh pine scent and natural beauty. Real Christmas trees used to come only from the forest, but now you can find them on tree farms and from popular retailers who ship them in to sell directly to consumers.

Buying a real tree requires more time and effort. Many people shop for their trees at a local store, it's handy and they're reasonably priced. The downside to doing this is that the trees were cut well in advance and have not received any water since then. By the time you get it home, it's quite dry and the needles are brittle and often falling off.

If you plan on buying a precut tree, you should get it home as soon as it becomes available. Keep in mind that this could be one or two weeks before Thanksgiving. The sooner you give it water, the better. To ease the process, it may be necessary to cut about one inch off of the bottom of the trunk to remove the base, which is often sealed over from sap.

Christmas Tree Farms

For the freshest tree possible, it's best to go the Christmas tree farm and cut down your own. There, you can pick and choose the exact tree you wish to take home. Bring the family and make a tradition out of it! If you don't want to do the actual tree cutting, or feel that you might not do it right, they will cut it for you. Usually, there will be some some precut trees that are much fresher than those you will find in the stores.

Know how tall you want your tree to be. Keep in mind that a tree stand will add height, thus making it stand taller when you set it up. Check the needles. Soft, flexible needles are harder to keep ornaments on. Those with stronger branches and firmer needles can hold more weight and decorations. A straight trunk is desirable. It's most difficult to set up a tree with a crooked trunk and have it look good from all angles. Ensure that the tree does not harbor bugs, lest you let them into your house.

Popular Types

• Balsam Fir
• Colorado Blue Spruce
• Douglas Fir
• Noble Fir
• Scotch Pine
• Virginia Pine
• White Pine

Artificial Christmas Trees

There are several alternatives to real trees and the varieties grow larger every year. Not only do they look realistic, they're easy to care for. They may seem expensive, but as far as your investment goes, they're a bargain. If anyone in your family suffers from allergies associated with pine scent or pollen, buying an artificial tree is a wise choice indeed. If you're short on time around the holidays, consider the time you save by not hunting down a real tree every year. If you use your artificial tree for several years, you'll save a great deal of money. That's more money you can spend on food, fun and gifts. :-)

How realistic you want your tree to look is up to you. Manufacturers research and take great pains to produce trees to look very real. If you prefer a white tree, you can find one with pure, white branches or a fake, flocked one, ready to go. As the styles get more elaborate, the authenticity suffers, however, we don't always want one that looks like it's fresh from the forest. If you enjoy the pine smell of a fresh-cut tree but don't want the hassle of a real one, just spray your artificial one with some pine scent and you can still enjoy the natural smell.

Tabletop Trees

Ideal for apartments, small homes, and businesses, tabletop trees can be real or artificial. Popular fiber optic and pre-lit, decorated ones are easy to set up and store every year. The branches are filled with vibrant colors which often cycle, creating an eye-catching centerpiece. Illuminated trees can be quite costly, with designer decorations and fancy bases. Some trees are musical or motion activated, playing traditional Christmas carols. Whatever your choice, you'll be sure to capture the holiday atmosphere and deck the halls with a beautiful tree, unique to your home or business.

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