The holiday season can be an exciting time of year, especially when you bring home your live Christmas tree and decorate it with your family in the weeks before Christmas. But not all trees are created equal, and picking out the right tree can make or break your family’s holiday experience. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your tree lasts throughout the holiday season and beyond!

What to Look For When Picking the Right Christmas Tree

If you’re buying a live or recently cut Christmas tree for your home, you’ll want to be sure that you’re picking one that is as fresh as possible and healthy so that it can last the entire Christmas season – or longer, if you’re the kind of person who leaves their decorations up well past the holiday!

When you’re out trying to decide which tree to bring home, keep these pointers in mind:

      • A tree that is green all over; ideally with no brown spots
      • Pliable needles that do not feel brittle or dry
      • Make sure the trunk doesn’t have any cracks or crevices; these can lead to pests or fungal growth in your house later on
      • Avoid trees with branches that don’t have much meat – that is, thin little branchlets with few needles on them; you’re most likely going to be hanging ornaments, so thicker ones with lots of needles on them are what you’re looking for

Potted Live Trees vs. Cut Trees

For most people, live trees are more appealing than cut trees. Live trees are those that have been dug up with their roots kept intact and placed in a planter. These trees are often a favored option because they are still living, which means that there will be much less needles shed throughout the Christmas season. Choosing a live tree is also an environmentally friendly option; you can plant it in your yard when the decorations come down (or recycle it). When selecting a live tree, remember that they grow throughout the season and come in all shapes and sizes, so plan ahead and purchase one that fits your household.

A cut tree, on the other hand, will not last as long and may go bad before the end of the season. On average, these trees usually last up to four weeks if given the proper attention and care. So, if you’ve purchased your tree just after Thanksgiving, it’ll surely last until Christmas, but any longer than that will be a stretch.

      • Ensure that your tree is secured upright in a reservoir-style tree stand
      • Be sure to fill the stand with enough water to keep the tree healthy
      • Monitor the water level daily – try to keep about two inches of the trunk submerged under the water

Alternatives to the Traditional Trees

Maybe you don’t have a convenient place to keep a tree for a few weeks, you can’t afford to spend on a full live tree, or perhaps you’re just looking for something different that is easier and safer. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways around those problems so that you can still get all of your family together for some jolly holiday cheer!

Check out these alternatives to the traditional Christmas tree: