The holiday season is upon us.  It’s a great time to create traditions or pass one on.  In my family, trekking out to a tree farm in search of the perfect pine is a tradition we all anxiously await. The night is topped off with a mad cookie decorating competition!  Young and old alike get their hands dirty in the cookie dough – it’s a great time!   This holiday season try creating your own traditions.  And don’t forget to keep warm in the process.

In Search of the Perfect Pine.

There’s nothing worse than spending time and money at a tree lot looking for a precut holiday tree only to find, once you get it home, it doesn’t stand quite straight, it’s really not as fresh as you thought (your lovely carpet becomes covered with needles) and you find it’s too tall for the room!  This year before heading out in search of the perfect pine keep this tip in mind help make the hunt easier.

Before leaving home:

ü  How tall is the room where the tree is going to be placed?

ü  How wide of a space is available for the tree?

ü  Tree stand: how wide is the trunk opening? Better yet, take the tree stand with you to shop for a tree that fits.

Signs of freshness for cut trees:

ü  Grasp mid-section of branch – gently pull your hand toward the end of the branch with the needles between your fingers.  If needle fall off from the pull the tree is too dry.

ü  Bend a branch – it should be pliable and soft.  If hard, brittle and/or breaks the tree is too dry.

ü  Pick the tree up by the trunk and bounce it up and down on the ground.  Some needle drop is natural, but if a large amount of needles fall off the tree - it is too dry.

ü  Take a look at the bottom of the trunk where it was cut from the ground.  It should feel tacky from the sap and not hard and crusty.

ü  Remember, many lots will hang their trees making it hard to see how straight the tree stands.  Take the tree down and stand it up to make sure it doesn’t have a crooked trunk.  

DECORATING A HOLIDAY TREE TO THE NINES – THREE EASY STEPS

 

If you dream of having a designer looking Christmas tree this year, read on.  There is a method to the madness of decorating a tree.  It all comes down to having the right ingredients, the necessary amounts and the right recipe. Dressing your tree to perfection isn’t brain surgery – but it helps to have a cheat sheet to help you dress your tree.

 

STEP 1:  Start with the LIGHTS

 

How much is enough?

 

Lights:

3 foot tree              100 lights

4 foot tree              200 lights

5 foot tree              300 lights

6 foot tree              500 lights

7 foot tree              700 lights

9 foot tree              1,000 lights

10 foot tree           1,200 lights

12 foot tree           1,400 lights                                                                                  

15 foot tree           1,800 lights

Select light sets that have shortest space between bulbs.  

 

Short trees:  Hang light vertically for a fuller look.

Tall, thin trees: Hang lights horizontally

Full shaped trees:  hang lights according to the contour of the branches.

 

-          Test lights before you hang them – replace any damaged or burned out lights

-          Attach a multi-socket extensions cord around center trunk and/or pole just below the truck for the tree.  Pull the socket down the back of the tree to the outlet.

-          Start stringing lights from top to bottom – from the center the center of the tree, wrapping lights outward around branches.

-          Do not connect more than 3 sets of lights together.

-          Put lights on the tree starting on the branches near the base

-          Weave lights along the branches from the inside working toward the outer edges.

 

STEP #2 ADDING THE GARLAND 

Your garland will set the theme so choose carefully. Whether it is raffia, popcorn and cranberries or fancy ribbon it is the necessary thread that will weave the whole look together.

How Much?  This depends on two important factors; size of tree and how you plan to hang it  - but generally you can’t go wrong with this formula: 9 feet of garland per foot of tree. (I always buy more “just in case” but also to use around the house to continue the theme).   If you use more that one garland, hang so widest garland sags more deeply than thinner one. You may double or triple the garlands according to your choice. Secure the garland to the branches of the tree using floral wire or ribbons. 

Styles to hang For a traditional, graceful look softly swag the garland. The smaller the tree, the more shallow the swag.

Mixing it up Instead of one type of garland try mixing 2- 3 together.  Just be sure they compliment each other and vary in size i.e.:  one wide, one small and one mid-sized or whimsical.  Also think about adding texture through your ribbon i.e.: beaded garland, feathery garland etc.

Vertical Garland Garlands can be attached to the top of your tree (behind the tree topper), and then looped down vertically. Be sure to add some twists and turns, wiring to branches if necessary, in order to add interest and graceful curves. This technique is especially suited to ribbon. 

STEP #3 FINISHING WITH THE ORNAMENTS

Having the right amount of ornaments is the key for adding the final touch.  Plan on 20 solid colored balls for every 2 feet of tree.   Collectors or one-of-a-kind: 10 for every 2 feet of tree.

Start with solid balls first placing them evenly around the tree and when hanging them, avoid placing them all on the tip of branches, instead mix them up.  Create depth and interest by placing ornaments deep into the tree, some half way and some near the tips.  Then hang your special ornaments among the others with very special ones up front and center.