Embracing Live Christmas Trees at Home
The holiday season is upon us once again․ While the Christmas spirit fills the air and the days are a little cheerier than usual‚ perhaps no symbol represents that spirit and cheer more than the family Christmas tree‚ the beautiful and nostalgic live Christmas tree․ The fragrance of fresh pine‚ the warm glow of twinkling lights‚ and the sound of family and friends gathered around to decorate the tree are all part of the magic of the holidays․ Having a live Christmas tree in your home is part of holiday beauty and memories that will last year after year․
Buying a live Christmas tree can be an adventure․ Whether you cut your own at a local tree farm or pick a fresh-cut tree from a lot‚ there are a few things you should consider․ Measure the available space․ Measure the space where the tree would be placed to be certain that it is suitable for the tree and not overcrowded with furniture or other decorations․ Then of course there's shape․ Are you looking for the symmetric customary look of the Douglas Fir‚ or the sparse but beautiful look of a Colorado Blue Spruce? Touch the needles‚ breathe the glowing tree aroma‚ walk until one tree finally carries you away‚ and you fall in love with it․
Benefits of Live Christmas Trees
In addition to providing Christmas spirit‚ trees are environmentally friendly‚ as they are renewable‚ recyclable and biodegradable․ The fresh Christmas tree can be recycled into a product‚ or composted after use․ Unlike artificial Christmas trees which can take decades or centuries to decompose‚ real trees can be composted or chipped and used in landscaping․ A live Christmas tree offers a distinctly different scent‚ and adds a feeling of cheer and nostalgia to the atmosphere of a home․ Having a living tree in the home gives families the opportunity to partake in the festivities associated with the holiday: choosing‚ making decorations for‚ and caring for the tree․
Once you have brought your beautiful tree back home‚ care needs to be taken to ensure that it remains fresh throughout the Christmas season․ Make a fresh cut straight across the bottom of the tree's trunk before placing it in water․ This will help the tree to absorb water and keep its needles from drying out․ Water the tree immediately upon putting it into the stand and check it daily (particularly in the first week‚ as live trees can drink a lot of water)․ Make sure that the tree is not in close proximity to sources of heat such as radiators or fireplaces‚ since excess heat will accelerate drying․ Removing dry needles and checking for hidden pests will help to ensure the longevity of the Christmas tree․
Decorating Christmas Trees can be a Family Tradition
Whether a tree is bought or acquired‚ a live tree can be enjoyed‚ and is sometimes used as an occasion for family bonding․ Christmas tree decorations can follow a theme‚ or a tradition‚ and the act of decorating a tree can be an art form․ Drape string lights‚ which can be colorful or white‚ to create a canopy of stars․ Once the lights are hung‚ fill the tree with ornaments that tell your family story‚ including ornaments you made as a child and upscale ornaments acquired over time․ Choose a tree topper that you like‚ such as a star or an angel․ You can also top your tree with an object of sentimental value for your family․ You could also decorate your tree with garland strings‚ such as a popcorn or cranberry string․
Learning how to distinguish between types and species can help you decide which is your ideal live Christmas tree․ The Noble Fir has stiff branches and a rich scent․ The Balsam Fir is popular as a Christmas tree because of its shape and fragrance․ Both species keep their needles with proper care and watering․ For a fuller tree‚ pick a Frasier Fir․ They are among the most popular Christmas trees available because they have dense branches and great needle retention․ However‚ if you'd like a spruce with a little more character or different aesthetic‚ the White Spruce is a great option‚ with lovely color and texture․ Each spruce variety has unique attributes‚ and briefly exploring their differences will help you choose the right tree for your home․
Finally‚ recreating the time-honored tradition of having a real Christmas tree can be a memorable experience that adds to the holiday spirit of your family․ From selecting a perfect tree to decorating it and caring for it‚ a real Christmas tree can bring families together․ The natural beauty and scent of a real tree brings the outdoors in‚ adding to the spirit of Christmas․ It's the warmth of a living tree in your home․ It's memories of family and friends gathered together laughing as you decorate the tree‚ hours spent gazing at its beauty with peace and reflection․ It's years of memories that will last long after the last holiday ornaments have been packed away․ The live Christmas tree‚ a symbol of happiness‚ love‚ and tradition‚ has become more than just a seasonal decoration; it is now thriving with the essence of Christmas․
