NFT: whos getting a Christmas tree this weekend?

Going on the Friday after Thanksgiving is key. You'll get your pick making the quest for the perfect Christmas Tree much much easier.

HTH

They will look a lot bigger in your home so make sure to check size carefully when buying.

Look for a straight tree because a crooked trunk will be harder to set up and look good.

Look for a tree that is full because when you hang ornaments the limbs bend a little and any gaps may appears larger when the tree is dressed. You can get away with a tree that is a little gaped on one side if setting it up facing a wall.

A fresher tree will last a lot longer so if you can buy at a tree farm which cuts it right there it is generally worth it plus your family gets the fun of walking the farm and picking your tree. it's a nice tradition if you have children.

Keep water in the stand and throw a little sugar in with it and it will last longer.

Enjoy!

I don't recommend sugar water tho. Could attract mice

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Bring work gloves.

Avoid trees with brown needles and trees that lose a lot of needles when you shake them or have easily snapping branches.

If you have a good, sharp hand saw, bring it. The farm will have some, but they might be pretty dull. (A power handsaw is even better.)

If you have a fireplace (real or gas), the tree will quickly dry out if you keep it within a 10 feet.

Put hot water in the tree stand. It liquefies the hard sap at the base of the trunk and frees up its circulatory system. And stay on top of the water. The tree will drink faster than you might think.

Consider making a little family event out of it, rather than just going to the farm, cutting down the first decent tree you see, and heading home. Go out to breakfast or lunch or something.

Have fun. Should be a nice day. Not too cold.

and keep it outside in water for another week or two before bringing it in. I'll get the fresh cut and keep a close eye on the water for the first few days as the tree will suck up a lot of water right away. That way I usually get them to last to the Epiphany... although I'll yank it down sooner if I see a lot of needle drop.

I've been doing Frasiers lately, but the 'ideal' Christmas tree, for me, is still a Douglas.

We always cut our own at Pine Valley Tree Farm...Carroll County MD.

Recut the base and keep the thing watered....It will suck up water the first couple of weeks. If you screw up and let it dry out...get it out of the house ASAP.

I've actually brought my stand and had the guys, after they trim it, attach the stand.

I know it sounds crazy, but bringing a tree into my house can be a bit of a chore considering the layout, and having the stand already on just allows me to prop it up and I'm done.

Also, let the tree sit in water for a few days before you decorate to allow the branches to settle.

Christmas ... my dad would take me with him to buy the tree on Christmas Eve ... sometimes around 2:00 in the daylight but usually not until dark when they were pretty much giving the trees away. We took the tree home and spent the evening with my two older sisters decorating the tree with tons of homemade cookies and singing Christmas carols led by my mom playing the piano.

In comment 13704290 baadbill said:

Quote:

Christmas ... my dad would take me with him to buy the tree on Christmas Eve ... sometimes around 2:00 in the daylight but usually not until dark when they were pretty much giving the trees away. We took the tree home and spent the evening with my two older sisters decorating the tree with tons of homemade cookies and singing Christmas carols led by my mom playing the piano.

Nice story thanks for sharing

there picking out a tree with his sister and her family.

I’ll be cutting one down in mid December. By New Years ready to give it the heave ho.

I will be heading to Home depot with my 4 year old little guy to make an event out of it.

My parents never made Christmas special for me but I want to make it special for my children so they can look forward to it every year

...

In comment 13704384 spike said:

Quote:

I will be heading to Home depot with my 4 year old little guy to make an event out of it. My parents never made Christmas special for me but I want to make it special for my children so they can look forward to it every year

Wait, Home Depot?

I thought you were going to a farm to cut one down.

In comment 13704403 Mr. Bungle said:

Quote:

In comment 13704384 spike said: Quote: I will be heading to Home depot with my 4 year old little guy to make an event out of it. My parents never made Christmas special for me but I want to make it special for my children so they can look forward to it every year Wait, Home Depot? I thought you were going to a farm to cut one down.

I wouldnt know which farm to go cut down in westchester

If you want to make it memorable, go to an Xmas tree farm and follow everything everybody above says.

Been doing it the past 7 years when the kids could barely walk. We make a day of it, add in a hike each year and now it is tradition.

In comment 13704406 spike said:

Quote:

In comment 13704403 Mr. Bungle said: Quote: In comment 13704384 spike said: Quote: I will be heading to Home depot with my 4 year old little guy to make an event out of it. My parents never made Christmas special for me but I want to make it special for my children so they can look forward to it every year Wait, Home Depot? I thought you were going to a farm to cut one down. I wouldnt know which farm to go cut down in westchester

was to replace the hand screws in my stand with bolts. I tighten them with a socket wrench and cordless drill. So much easier than doing it by hand.

go to a farm to cut it yourself. I always go the day after thanksgiving, have since i'm a little kid and now I'm doing it as an adult. Brought my nephews yesterday, they loved being able to go and pick out a tree. It's a lot of fun and worth the trip

In comment 13704406 spike said:

Quote:

In comment 13704403 Mr. Bungle said: Quote: In comment 13704384 spike said: Quote: I will be heading to Home depot with my 4 year old little guy to make an event out of it. My parents never made Christmas special for me but I want to make it special for my children so they can look forward to it every year Wait, Home Depot? I thought you were going to a farm to cut one down. I wouldnt know which farm to go cut down in westchester

Here is one I just found on Google that should be within driving distance of you.

Probably others in the area if you just search online for them
Link - ( New Window )

and put the stand on outside then measure the tree to make sure it fits inside.

Have fun!

I have no interest whatsoever in cutting my own, esp with a 3 year old and 1 year old in tow. We always just go to a local Christmas tree pop-up, have the guys wrap it, give it a fresh cut, tie it to the car. Generous tip to spread holiday cheer.

Just dragged all the boxes of decorations down from the attic. Soon we’ll start blaring the Xmas music on Spotify, put the tree in the stand, and get this place looking like Christmas.

I’m sure I’ll pop open a bottle of Cab around the same time.

Tis’ The Season!

to set up the tree inside in order to prevent it from drying out? We usually set it up a week before Christmas at the earliest.

TIA

December. We usually have a party where we'll have friends come over & help decorate. It's a nice little tradition.

Just don't see the reward for the risk of having what could only be called a fire hazard. Did put up the artificial one and it looks great

Hey,

How did you make out spike?

Just wondering.

Fraser fir for our living room from Home Depot 7 minutes local roads away. It was very easy since they had people helping to tie it to the top of the car/SUV.

We have little ones in our home so there was no trekking to nearby christmas farms.

Next week we will have to get some ornaments.

Have fun!

The tree looks a lot bigger once the water sets in and the branches spread out

It usually takes a day or two.

Merry Christmas!