Have you bought a Christmas tree and don't know how to take care of it and how to set it up? In this article, you will learn how to choose the right tree, how to prepare it and how it turns into a beautiful Christmas tree! Read on to make Christmas time the most evocative time of the year.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing and Preserving the Tree
Step 1. Choose the type of tree you prefer
The greener the better - but make sure it hasn't been painted (some companies actually do). A visit to the local garden shop may dispel any doubts, but here's a general rundown:
- Fraser, Douglas, and Balsam firs are all great choices. They have shorter needles than the others, so look on the ground to see how many have fallen off. If the tree is still fresh, the needles should snap off with a sharp blow.
- Scotch and Virginia fir trees are also perfect as Christmas trees. The needles are longer, so those that fall often get stuck in the branches. Pass your hand slowly over a branch: how many needles fall?
- The spruce (the spruce, widely used in Italy) is a beautiful tree, but the needles are so pointed that it is not good for homes where small children live.
- The cypress would make a good Christmas tree, but its branches are not very strong and won't hold up the decorations. Only consider it if you plan to decorate it exclusively with lights and ribbons.
Step 2. Purchase the tree and the pot
Knowing the size of the room you want to place the tree in (you already know them, right?) Is important for setting it up correctly. Which tree attracts you the most? You need to choose one that is the right height and width. Don't take one that maybe goes through the door but then takes up half the room!
- The best thing is to buy it in advance. The trees are fresher and you can choose the best. In addition, many nurseries cut down trees and then leave them to themselves, without taking care of them. If, on the other hand, you take it a couple of weeks in advance and treat it in your home, it will be better off than in the nursery or shop.
- As for the vase, if you don't have it yet, ask for advice in the store. You have to buy one that is adaptable to any size and size of the tree and that is not just a small support that can only support certain types of trees. It must also contain at least three liters of water.
- Sprinkler systems for the Christmas tree effectively increase the capacity of the pot, have a visual indicator of when the tree needs to be watered and it is easy to fill them with water. No need to duck under the tree to water and no more puddles on the floor.
Step 3. If it has been packed, identify the best side before setting it up
When the tree is already covered with decorations it is more difficult to understand which is the best side to show. Before decorating it put a label in the center of the most beautiful side. This way, when you put it on, you won't need to constantly flip and move it to identify the best side.
Step 4. If desired, store it in a cool, dry place
Since it's best to buy it in advance, keep it in your garage or similar place until you decide to pick it up and set it up. Put it in a bucket, water it, and do routine checks every day or two.
- If you leave the tree on the porch exposed to sunlight it may start to dry out (the last thing you want to happen), but it needs to stay moist and cool.
- After storing it (actually for no more than 8 hours), shorten the base of the tree by 1-2 cm, before setting it up. This operation serves to revitalize it and to make it take more water, as is done with potted flowers.
Step 5. Before setting it up, shake it well
Regardless of the type of tree, you don't want all the bathwater to be left with the "baby". Get rid of all dead needles by shaking it carefully (do this out!). It's not nice to find yourself with a floor full of needles while you arrange the decorations.
Part 2 of 3: Setting up the Tree
Step 1. Decide where to put it
In addition to assessing the height of the ceiling and the necessary width, you must ensure that the tree stays away from sources of heat. The presence of a heat source can make it dry out faster than it would naturally.
- These are the two main things to consider. Obviously, we must also take into consideration how far it is for any pets or children, if it can fall (or what it can fall on) and if an obstacle or obstacle is revealed. But the presence of a heat source is the first thing to think about!
- How can we not also recommend placing it at a safe distance from the chimney? It is definitely not a very comforting Christmas scenario that would arise if your house were to burn down due to your recklessness.
Step 2. Insert it into its base in an upright position facing the prettiest side
It all depends on the vase in which it is placed. Probably to make it appear in a perfect vertical position you have to move it a bit and use screws to fix it better. Either way, make sure it's sturdy and firm! The screws must not be screwed onto the shaft, but must ensure that it remains immobile.
Step 3. Immediately add at least three liters of water
The cut you just made (or that the shop assistant made) will make the tree very thirsty, and it will soon begin to wilt. You bought a vase that can hold a lot of water, right?
Make sure the water always reaches the base of the tree. If this does not happen, a layer of lymph will form. If the tree can't drink, make another cut at the base of the tree so it can reach the water
Step 4. Wrap the jar in a bag, such as a garbage bag
Place it around the base of the tree. It will not only collect the needles and ensure that when you remove it it will be easy to clean, but it will also allow you to quickly remove the decorations, pull up the bag and in an instant the tree will be packed and ready to be put away.
Part 3 of 3: Decorate the Tree and Take Care of It
Step 1. Cover the bag with a decorative cloth
Although the sack is very functional, it is not very in tune with Christmas, so you may want to cover it with a decorative sheet or with colored paper (these are those decorative wraps that are placed around the base of the tree, under the gifts). This step is necessary, at least until they sell bags decorated with Christmas themes.
Step 2. Insert the lights
The first decoration to be placed are the lights. For both fake and real trees the rule is valid (even if dad did differently) that the lights should be strung along the branches, not transversely to them, as often do the newbies of the Christmas decoration.
- First, mentally divide the tree into multiple sections based on its height - as many as there are strings of lights you have. Ideally you need to insert at least five strings of lights. Another tip? LEDs are better for the environment and you don't run the risk of damaging fuses.
- Take the first string, bring it all the way to the top, wrap it along the top branch and then continue the same way going down, going up each branch and down again. This system minimizes the risk of remaining cables exposed.
- Repeat this process for each string of lights. When you're done, take a step back and sharpen your eyes: do you see any black holes? If so, make the necessary adjustments.
Step 3. Add decorations
You can put all the swatches of the most popular objects and decorations, or opt for a highly coordinated themed look. You can insert just lights, or lights and ribbons, or the whole cabin. The important thing is to take a step back every five minutes to make sure the ornaments and decorations are evenly distributed.
If you want to add some rather heavy decorations, you can hang them in the lower branches for more support, or in the upper part by arranging them closer to the trunk
Step 4. Water it often
For the first week (or so) a two-meter tree must have about two liters of water per day. So, as mentioned earlier, make sure it doesn't run dry! If you take care of the plant properly, it could last more than a month.
Forget the fancy additives that try to sell you in stores. All your tree needs is just plain water. Make sure he always has enough. And if the cat likes to drink from the vase in which the tree is placed, keep the bell
Advice
- To prevent the tree from overheating, you need to check the level of heat reached by the lights you have placed there. Make sure they don't overheat by turning them off when you go to sleep.
- Put on long sleeves and gloves before placing the decorations on the tree. Needles can be damn stinging.
- In some areas, in Great Britain for example, it is possible to rent a tree already planted in pots for the holiday period. The tree will then be returned to the nursery after Christmas to make it grow again and to take it back, if desired, the following Christmas.
