Choosing Your Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is the shining symbol of Christmas. Excitement and jubilation soar on the day that the Christmas tree is set up within the house and decorated. However, getting from the Christmas tree lot, back home, and then into your living room can be a challenge when there's a tree to consider. It is important to keep in mind a few tips and suggestions when choosing your Christmas tree in order to make the whole production run as smoothly as possible.

1. First, before you even leave the house, decide on where you want to put the tree. Then, using a tape measure, measure the height from the floor to the ceiling. You wouldn't want to buy a ten foot tree when your ceiling is only nine feet tall. Make sure to take into consideration that a tree stand will elevate a tree several inches and an angel or star on top of the tree will increase its height. Additionally, get the dimensions of the front and back door and any tight spots in the house where getting a tree through might be a challenge. Plan how you're going to get the tree into the house beforehand. Make a few measurement notes on a pad of paper to bring along with you. Also, bring the tape measure with you so you can measure the trees you'll be looking at.

2. How are you planning on bringing your tree home? Do you have a pick-up truck with a large bed in back where a tree will fit perfectly? Great! Or, do you have a small, two-door car with limited trunk space? It's a good idea to bring a length of rope and a few bungee cords to tie the tree to the roof of the car or, if you have a car with a spacious interior, secure the door of the trunk if your tree sticks out of the back of the car. Also, take a few measurements of your vehicle to get a better idea of the size of tree that will fit in or on top of your car.

3. Once you've arrived at the Christmas tree lot, take a brief walk around and take a peek at the trees that they have available to get an idea of what they're selling, their prices, and the quality of their trees. If the majority of their trees are dry and look a little beaten up, you might want to find a different Christmas tree lot to choose from. Additionally, shopping around at various places will give you an idea of what the trees are costing this year and help you keep within your budget.

4. When you've found a Christmas tree lot, keep in mind the measurements you've taken and look for a tree that is pleasing to your eye. Using the tape measure that you brought from home, measure the tree from the very top to the very bottom. Make sure that the tree will fit in your house and that you'll be able to transport it home.

5. You'll want the tree that you buy to be in excellent health. An unhealthy tree will not look as spectacular as one in good health. Also, an unhealthy tree tends to die easily and sheds it's needles prematurely. Additionally, a dry tree poses as a fire hazard in your home. To judge the health of your tree, there's a few things you can do. First, take a step back and circle the tree. Look at the quality of its needles. Are they a healthy shade of green or are they turning brown? If you can, pick up the tree from its central trunk and bang it on the ground a few times. If a shower of dry needles falls to the ground, the tree is too dry. Also, look for any gaps in the tree's foliage. You want a nice, dense pack of branches with no bare areas.

6. Once you've picked your tree, either bring it over to the seller, or ask someone to help you. Some Christmas tree lot venders have special devices that wrap the tree up for you in netting to make transporting it home easier for you. After you've gotten it into or on top of the car, take it on home!