The purchase of a Christmas tree marks the beginning of the joyous holiday season. Consider the following tips for making the event a lasting and memorable tradition:
- Be sure you know what size (height and width) you need before heading to the retail lot. Smaller trees can make a great tabletop display for smaller apartments or condos.
- Do a freshness test on the trees. Look for green needles that have a wonderful, Christmas tree smell.
- Look for other indicators of dryness or deterioration: excessive needle loss, discolored foliage, musty odor, needle pliability and wrinkled bark. A good rule of thumb is, when in doubt about the freshness of a tree, select another one. If none of the trees on the lot look fresh, go to another lot.
- Involve the whole family in the selecting process.