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Christmas Trees Buying Guide
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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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