Christmas Tree Themes: Are They Really Worth It?

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Do you celebrate Christmas?  If you do, chances are you will celebrate the holidays with a Christmas tree. Each year, the majority of Americans purchase a Christmas tree for their homes. Whether that tree is real or an artificial one, it is often decorated with Christmas decorations. Different individuals decorate their Christmas trees in different ways.  Many choose to theme their Christmas trees.  If you are planning on decorating your Christmas tree this year, you may be wondering whether or not it is really worth it to decorate your Christmas tree with a theme.  In all honesty, it depends.
Before you can start to determine whether or not it would be worth it for you to decorate your Christmas tree with a theme, it is important to note that different individuals have different views on themes.  There are many Christmas tree owners that choose to theme their Christmas trees by having everything a particular color.  For instance, there are some who choose to have a white Christmas tree with gold and red decorations. All of the decorations typically match.  While many take this simple approach, there are others who take it a step further. There are some parents who tend to focus their Christmas tree theme around a cartoon character or something else that their kids enjoy.  The decorations used are all typically associated in one way or another.
The type of theme that you would like to use, if you choose to use one, will help to determine whether or not you should go through the hassle of decorating your Christmas tree with a particular theme.  For example, it was mentioned above that many just theme their Christmas trees with a particular set of colors.  While this can still be difficult to do, it is one of the easier ways to have a Christmas tree theme, especially if the colors are traditional holiday colors. Anything different and you may spend days or even weeks searching for Christmas tree decorations; Christmas tree decorations that may be more than you are willing to pay for.

So, if you are interested in decorating your Christmas tree with a theme, but without having to go through all of the hassle, you are advised to take the simplest approach.  If you do decide to decorate your Christmas tree with a particular theme, you may want to think about shopping for your Christmas tree decorations early. Around the months of October and November, the majority of individuals start shopping for Christmas decorations.  When this occurs, the selection of decorations available drastically decreases.  When you want to theme your Christmas tree, there is a good chance that you will want certain types of Christmas tree decorations, such as lights and ornaments.  If you want to make sure that you get exactly the Christmas tree decorations that you were looking for, you are advised to start purchasing Christmas decorations as soon as they become available or as soon as you make the decision do decorate your Christmas tree a certain way.If you are unable to find the Christmas tree decorations that you were looking for in one of your local retail stores, you are advised to give online shopping some thought. In fact, if you are planning on having a somewhat unique Christmas tree theme, you will find it easier to find what you are looking for online. When searching for themed Christmas tree decorations online, you will want to perform a standard internet search.  For instance, if you were planning on having the theme of your Christmas tree be a popular cartoon character or a well-known Christmas symbol, such as an angel, you will want to tailor your search to exactly what you are looking for.
In addition to everything that was mentioned above, it is also important to examine the time that it will take to theme a Christmas tree. When it comes to themed Christmas trees, most tree owners want to get their Christmas trees exactly as they envisioned it in their minds. Unfortunately, that can take a lot of time and experimenting. It does not mean that you shouldn’t theme your Christmas tree this year, it just means that you many want to examine whether or not you really have the time to do so.

Christmas Lights: The Ultimate Way to Decorate Your Home

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Christmas lights; we have all seen them and most of us have used them before. When it comes to Christmas lights, we often associate those lights with Christmas trees.  While Christmas lights are most commonly used to decorate Christmas trees, did you know that they can also be used for much more?  If you are planning on decorating your home for Christmas this year, you are advised to examine what else Christmas lights can be used for. After a close examination, you will likely see that they can be used for a lot more than you may have originally thought.As previously mentioned, when it comes to Christmas lights, we often associate Christmas lights with Christmas trees. This is because a large number of individuals decorate their Christmas trees with Christmas lights.  What is nice about using Christmas lights on a Christmas tree is that the lights come in a number of different sizes and styles.  It is possible to purchase Christmas lights with small light bulbs, as well as large ones.  Traditional Christmas lights come white in color or with a combination of all different colors.  In recent years, the popularity of different colored lights has skyrocketed.  You can now purchase single colored Christmas lights or lights with a specific color combination. These types of lights are ideal for those who are looking to theme their Christmas tree.Although many individuals choose to use Christmas lights for their Christmas tree, as stated above, there are other uses for them as well.  One of those uses is for decorating the outside of your home.

 Online and in many retail stores across America, you can easily find Christmas lights that are designed for outside use, particular around a home. These type of lights are often referred to as icicle Christmas lights.  Icicle Christmas lights allow the lights to hang off the side of a house.  While it is possible to find multicolored outdoor Christmas lights, you will find that they are most commonly sold in the traditional white color.In addition to decorating the outside of the outside of your home with Christmas lights, you can also decorate the trees outside of your home.  A number of homeowners, each year, decorate the trees outside their home, often exactly like their indoor Christmas tress.  Many times, these trees are relatively small in size; therefore, the same types of Christmas lights that can be used on a regular tree can also, sometimes, be used on an outdoor tree.  Decorating the small trees in your yard is a great way to bring a touch of Christmas to your neighborhood.You can also use Christmas lights to decorate any one of the rooms that can be found inside your home.  There are many individuals who hang Christmas lights along the top of their walls. This is a great way to bring extra Christmas spirit into the room that your Christmas tree is in, as well as other rooms. In fact, you can even use Christmas lights to decorate one of your home’s bedrooms.  This idea is often loved by teenagers and other children; many enjoy the bright lights and colors. Decorating your home’s bedrooms is a great way to bring the Christmas spirit into a room that you may have otherwise not decorated.As nice as it is to decorate your home for Christmas, you may also want to decorate your office or your workspace. Unfortunately, not everyone celebrates Christmas.  This may pose a problem, when it comes to decorating your office workspace.  However, you can still, in many cases, use Christmas lights to decorate your office.  In most cases, you will find that it is the decorations that scream Christmas that cause the problems, not the lights themselves. Therefore, if you supervisors approve, you could easily hang Christmas lights around your office walls or along the sides of your work desk.
Isn’t it amazing all of the different ways that you can use Christmas lights to decorate your home or even your office? What is even more amazing is the above mentioned examples are just a few of the many ways that you can use Christmas lights to bring the holiday spirit into your home or office.

Christmas Lights: The Ultimate Way to Decorate Your Home

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Christmas lights; we have all seen them and most of us have used them before. When it comes to Christmas lights, we often associate those lights with Christmas trees.  While Christmas lights are most commonly used to decorate Christmas trees, did you know that they can also be used for much more?  If you are planning on decorating your home for Christmas this year, you are advised to examine what else Christmas lights can be used for. After a close examination, you will likely see that they can be used for a lot more than you may have originally thought.As previously mentioned, when it comes to Christmas lights, we often associate Christmas lights with Christmas trees. This is because a large number of individuals decorate their Christmas trees with Christmas lights.  What is nice about using Christmas lights on a Christmas tree is that the lights come in a number of different sizes and styles.  It is possible to purchase Christmas lights with small light bulbs, as well as large ones.  Traditional Christmas lights come white in color or with a combination of all different colors.  In recent years, the popularity of different colored lights has skyrocketed.

 You can now purchase single colored Christmas lights or lights with a specific color combination. These types of lights are ideal for those who are looking to theme their Christmas tree.Although many individuals choose to use Christmas lights for their Christmas tree, as stated above, there are other uses for them as well.  One of those uses is for decorating the outside of your home.  Online and in many retail stores across America, you can easily find Christmas lights that are designed for outside use, particular around a home. These type of lights are often referred to as icicle Christmas lights.  Icicle Christmas lights allow the lights to hang off the side of a house.  While it is possible to find multicolored outdoor Christmas lights, you will find that they are most commonly sold in the traditional white color.
In addition to decorating the outside of the outside of your home with Christmas lights, you can also decorate the trees outside of your home.  A number of homeowners, each year, decorate the trees outside their home, often exactly like their indoor Christmas tress.  Many times, these trees are relatively small in size; therefore, the same types of Christmas lights that can be used on a regular tree can also, sometimes, be used on an outdoor tree.  Decorating the small trees in your yard is a great way to bring a touch of Christmas to your neighborhood.You can also use Christmas lights to decorate any one of the rooms that can be found inside your home.  There are many individuals who hang Christmas lights along the top of their walls. This is a great way to bring extra Christmas spirit into the room that your Christmas tree is in, as well as other rooms. In fact, you can even use Christmas lights to decorate one of your home’s bedrooms.  This idea is often loved by teenagers and other children; many enjoy the bright lights and colors. Decorating your home’s bedrooms is a great way to bring the Christmas spirit into a room that you may have otherwise not decorated.
As nice as it is to decorate your home for Christmas, you may also want to decorate your office or your workspace. Unfortunately, not everyone celebrates Christmas.  This may pose a problem, when it comes to decorating your office workspace.  However, you can still, in many cases, use Christmas lights to decorate your office.  In most cases, you will find that it is the decorations that scream Christmas that cause the problems, not the lights themselves. Therefore, if you supervisors approve, you could easily hang Christmas lights around your office walls or along the sides of your work desk.
Isn’t it amazing all of the different ways that you can use Christmas lights to decorate your home or even your office? What is even more amazing is the above mentioned examples are just a few of the many ways that you can use Christmas lights to bring the holiday spirit into your home or office.

Christmas Decoration Ideas for Kids

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Are you a parent?  If so, there is a good chance that you already know just how much kids love the holidays.  That is why you may want to think about letting your children help you decorate for Christmas.  In fact, in addition to just letting them help you hang Christmas decorations, you may also want to let them make their own handmade Christmas decorations.  Not only will you find that there are a number of benefits to doing so, but you will also find that there are a number of fun and exciting Christmas decorations that they can easily make.Almost every family that celebrates Christmas has a Christmas tree; therefore, there is a good chance that your family will have one.  One fun and exciting Christmas craft project that your children could do involves making their own Christmas ornaments.  Christmas ornaments can be made from regular paper or any other type of material. In fact, you can purchase a number of Christmas ornament cutouts or guides from your local craft store. These ornament pieces are likely plain, but already shaped like something, such as a star or a cross. It would be up to your child to paint their ornament.  This type of Christmas decoration craft project is great for small children or those who may be making their own Christmas decorations for the first time.In addition to Christmas trees, a large number of families have small Christmas signs or pictures throughout their home. These signs and pictures often state a Christmas message or have a picture of Santa.  Your children could easily make their own paintings or drawings, often with the supplies that can already be found inside your home. Your child’s picture would likely look great on your refrigerator or you could even frame the picture and hang it up somewhere else inside your home.  This type of Christmas decoration craft project is ideal for children of any age and, as previously mentioned, is a great way to save money since you likely already have all of the needed supplies.Another fun Christmas decoration that your children could do is make a centerpiece for your dinning room table. In fact, you may also want to use that centerpiece for your Christmas dinner.  If you are looking for a somewhat elegant centerpiece, you could easily have your children make their own.  You can do this by purchasing artificial flowers, a large bowl or vase, as well as other decorative items. Your children can easily arrange these items to create their own unique centerpieces for your dinning room table. It may also be a good idea to let them be crafty. Your child may also be able to create a centerpiece in the shape of Santa or a

Christmas tree by using construction paper and a few other small supplies.The above mentioned Christmas craft decoration ideas for kids are just a few of the many that exist. In addition to using your own craft ideas, you can also find a number of other fun Christmas craft projects for kids online.  You can find a collection of ideas by performing a standard internet search.  Also, in your local library or at one of your local book stores, you may also be able to find a collection of Christmas craft books for children. These books tend to outline the supplies needed, as well as give detailed directions on how to make Christmas decorations.  These decorations may include Christmas drawings or paintings, tree ornaments, table centerpieces, and much more.Regardless of which type of Christmas decorations you allow your child or children to make, they will likely enjoy the experience, especially if you participate as well.  For a child, there is nothing like seeing their Christmas drawings hanging on the walls or their Christmas ornaments hanging on the tree. That is why you are advised to let your children make their own Christmas decorations. As mentioned above, there are a number of decorations that they can easily create; decorations that may require little time and money.

Christmas Wreaths For Your Home

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Most people think of a wreath as a special Christmas themed decorative ring of pine branches decorated with berries or holly. The truth is, wreaths made from dried twigs or branches are often used to enhance home decor year round, as these rings of greenery, leaves and flowers can be great decorative pieces for every season especially Autumn and Summer. Wreaths represent the continuity of life.Evergreen branches of the wreath came to represent the strength and perseverance of people during difficult times of famine and war.  And in ancient Roman times, wreaths made from olive or laurel branches to declare victory were hanged in the window areas or the main doorway, or on a table surrounded by candles. The birth of the Christmas wreath came from this old tradition. Christmas wreaths are most well known as decorative pieces that add that special touch to Christmas yuletide season. Today these wreaths can be bought in a specialty store where there are a variety of styles, sizes and prices available.

Most are artificial but look realistic,as they are decorated with dried or silk flowers, artificial berries or holly. These ringed garlands have become a significant part of the holidays as the possibilities are endless for unique and creative ideas to accent  the holiday home decor.Fresh cut or real Christmas wreaths are often crafted from pine and fragrant balsam fir, but are also made from dried leaves, dried twigs, branches, and a mixture of dried flowers, with some using preservatives to extend the life of the wreath.The advantage of a synthetic wreath is that with proper care and storage, it can be used every year. Most of these wreaths are high quality and extra touches can be added such as berries, bows, silk flowers, bird decorations and more. With a fresh real wreath, the benefits are that the fragrance is wonderful while trees are not destroyed to produce the wreath. Evergreen branches are pruned for the wreaths and will grow back, and in addition, realistic wreaths can be recycled.

Christmas Tree Selection Guide

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Before you select the perfect Christmas tree, consider a little planning to make room for your special guest. Choose the best area in your room for the tree, which would include a spot that is close to an electrical outlet. When you plug in your lights, you won’t want a cord running along your floor, which could cause someone to trip and fall. There are so many things to think about when choosing a tree to celebrate your holidays. Do I want real or artificial? Should I buy pre-lit or plain? A few knowledgeable tips will guide you in the right direction.Christmas Tree Tip #1: Artificial or Real
The first step is to decide whether you want a real or artificial tree. An artificial tree is beneficial to anyone who has allergies, but also if you just want to know that your tree will last for years. Artificial trees are nice because they do not have to be thrown out every year and they are always the same size and a perfect fit. On the other hand, there’s nothing like the smell of a real Christmas tree. With real trees, there is a greater risk of fire and also the need to keep them hydrated regularly. A real Christmas tree requires a lot of maintenance and, if you’re not up to it, an artificial may be the way to go.Christmas Tree Tip #2: Will It Fit?When selecting the perfect Christmas tree, choose one that will fit best in your home. Measure the spot for your tree before you go out shopping and keep those numbers close at hand. After you select an area in your home, measure the distance from your floor to the roof, along with the width of the space. Take a tape measure when you go to pick out your tree and make sure it will fit in the spot you chose.Christmas Tree Tip #3: Is It Healthy?
If you’re looking for a live tree, check the limbs to make sure they are nice and green. Also, look for any brown needles, which may be a sign of a tree that has not been freshly cut. A tree that is too dry could be a fire hazard, so watch out for any signs of needle loss or other symptoms of a damaged tree. You will want to choose one that looks healthy and full with beautiful branches, which will look festive when decorated. If you’re planning to load the tree onto your car, place a protective sheet down on the top before adding the tree. This will protect your car from scratches, or sap, on the way home. Make sure that you choose a strong rope to secure the tree to your car.

Christmas Tree Tip #4: Picking the Right ColorIf you are buying a real tree, they only come in one color. But, if you are buying an artificial tree, you have the alternate option of white. While white Christmas trees are not as traditional as the green, there is something to be said for their beauty. Consider a white tree with blue lights, blue ornaments and white garland. A white Christmas tree is classic and stunning, especially with the right combination of decorations.Christmas Tree Tip #5: Prelit or Plain? Another advantage to artificial trees is that they are available in pre-lit designs. This saves decorating time and ensures that the lights are always perfectly spaced. Additionally, if you don’t feel up to wrapping the lights around the tree yourself, a pre-lit tree allows you to enjoy the beauty of Christmas without the work of decorating.

Christmas Tree Ornament Tips

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When it comes to decorating, we are all perfectionists about our Christmas tree. After all, it happens only once a year and the decorations are a treasure to behold. The finishing touch, for any Christmas tree, is the ornaments. Perhaps you have memories of a personalized ornament given to you as a child or maybe it’s the tradition of hanging them with your family - making sure that each is perfectly spaced from its neighbor for that added touch of beauty. The Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees, which we choose, should be a reflection of ourselves and our family. There are all types of Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees. From glass to unbreakable, there is something for everyone. Glass ornaments are among the most expensive, in part, because they require such intricate detail and add a touch of elegance to any Christmas tree. Glass ornaments pick up the reflection of lights and beam them across the room with, perhaps, even a twinkle or two. These ornaments are often hand-painted, which adds to their uniqueness.There are a variety of unbreakable ornaments, also available, in a multitude of colors. If you have a child who loves to be near the Christmas tree, glass ornaments may not be the best option. Or, if you have a pet that enjoys the mystique of the tree a little too much, you may opt for something unbreakable. This is why there are plastic ornaments, which are much safer for your inquiring family members whether they be small or furry.If you have children, there are plenty of ways to make beautiful Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees at home.

Using gold ribbon, tie a bow and place it on the tree. Repeat these steps until your tree is filled with golden memories of your child’s imagination. You can also purchase plain white ceramic ornaments and, together with your children, paint them into beautiful Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees. What’s good enough to eat and also looks beautiful on a Christmas tree? Give up? It’s a candy cane, of course. These pretty little symbols of Christmas are everywhere during the holiday season. If you can resist the temptation of eating them, candy canes make terrific Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees. Leave them as they are or tie little red bows around them for an added touch of Christmas.If your child would like a personalized letter from Santa, contact one of Santa’s helper services and inquire about Santa also sending your child a personalized ornament with his/her name engraved. This will truly be one of the most special ornaments on the tree and your child will treasure it forever.Christmas ornaments for Christmas trees truly are the icing on the cake. Let them reflect you, your family, your home and your love for the holidays. The most precious ornaments are those we decorate with love. Not so surprisingly, these are also the most beautiful.

Christmas Tree Decorations

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Christmas is without doubt the most delightful time of the year. The Christmas tree is a much appreciated symbolization straightaway calling up images of Christmas gifts and family jolliness. For kids, sitting below the Christmas tree with the lights blinking is a daily avocation during the holiday time of the year. Turning all lights in the room off and lighting the Christmas tree alone will create an attractive, wonderful glow for the whole space. With some soft Christmas music running in the background, it definitely would become a fantastic way to pass your day. The best component of Christmas is beautifying the Christmas tree.Most Christmas trees are raised on farms, just like grains and corn are. They are an agrarian product meant to be cut off and new ones planted to replace them. The scent of a refreshing Christmas tree fills up your home. You can sense it whenever you walk in the door. The distinct smell of a Christmas that invigorates memories from your younger days. Most of us cannot wait for the branches to fall down expecting the tree trimming celebration that comes soon.The Greek Fir is mostly used for Christmas trees. Ancient Greeks named the tree "Pitys" and, along with the pine-tree, it was considered sacred. From ancient periods, evergreen trees have been venerated as a symbol of fertility and sexual potency, and acted a vital part in Winter Celebrations. Maybe the Christmas tree is a irrigated-down variant of the Scandinavian Yggdrasil, the grand Tree of liveliness.Fake Christmas Trees are becoming a big competition for the nature since more and more people assemble around them on Christmas day. One most important reason to buy the artificial Christmas tree is the risk of fire hazards. The artificial tree is very safe for a family to make use of. Also, the fake tree is a one-time bargain that can be used for many seasons to come.

In case you relish the family pleasure trip to look for the suitable Christmas tree, the angelic aroma of fresh pine as you arrange your Christmas tree and the feel of tradition that is scene on these kinds of holiday pleasures, then a fake Christmas tree is not ideal for you.Beautifying the Christmas tree can be an energizing and funny family activity. A conventional Christmas tree is one that is ornamented with popcorn and gumdrops, tinsel and ribbons, it can be very exiting when you switch on the home lights and plug in the Christmas tree. Several manufacturers are there who make these beautifying products, some of which engage in manufacturing collectible Christmas tree ornaments. Every season they add another new item to adorn the series. For many folks this has become a very lucrative pursuit, especially if you can foretell which type of Christmas tree ornaments will be of great demand in the coming years.
LED Christmas tree lights give us a clean and new way to minimize electricity bills while still enjoying a good-looking Christmas tree that spotlights and exhibits your home decorations. Also, the Light Emitting Diode Christmas tree is pre-lighted for convenience and a real saver of time on those fussy Christmas shopping days where there is very little time.
Many of us connect a Christmas tree with holiday celebrations. This will help to raise their feel and get them into the Christmas flavor. In this respect a Christmas tree turns much more than merely a symbolic representation in our social life. It's amusing to beautify your home for Christmas. Never try to turn things excessively perfect. Love the rite of setting up your Christmas decorations, and when it’s complete, turn off the lights inside, plug in the Christmas tree lights, prepare a cup of hot floral or chocolate tea, and sit back and relax with your family members.

Christmas Table Decorations - The Number One Secret for Beautiful Table Decor

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Decorating your table for Christmas can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make it. But, there is one primary secret toChristmas table decorations you should always follow.
By adhering to this simple secret it will make your table décor far more appealing while at the same time making your job easier. By ignoring this concept your table-decorating plan can completely fall apart.So what’s the secret? Well it’s simple. All you have to do is decide upon a specific color theme and design theme, then stick to it.Let me explain…Do you want a particular color or colors? People, who especially love Christmas still rely on the old stand-bys. I will admit that red, green, white, gold and silver are still my favorites and probably always will be.Perhaps you’re in the mood for a wintery look. Simple. Just use white, blue, light shades of purple and you’re on your way. Along with candles you can add ornamental snowflakes, little snowmen, or strands of clear beads or snowy white garlands.If you have a color scheme in your home that you would like to play off of, then that can make it even simpler. You can always find candles, ribbons, napkins, beads, etc. online or at the store. Add touches of winter greenery or tiny Christmas trees to solidify the look.A Christmas wreath laid in the center of the table can be the beginning of a perfect centerpiece. It can be decorated with any object you may want to use as a theme. decorations.Continue to carry out your theme with your table napkins. Use two napkins of different colors for each place setting. Place one napkin on top of the other. You can roll them separately or roll them together, but the important thing is to tie them together. Tie them with a beautiful wired ribbon with the bell attached to the ribbon. Because wired ribbon can be shaped, it is easy to make the perfect size napkin holder. With your napkins inside your ribbon napkin holder, artfully arrange them and place them in the center of each plate. You now have bells on your napkin holders and bells on your table decorations. You can continue the theme with bells tied to the backs of chairs, hanging from the chandelier or attached to your stemware.The idea is to repeat your color or decoration. By using a theme, your Christmas table decorations will go from ho-hum to spectacular! Happy decorating.

If you have no theme in mind other than something special, then ribbons and bows can always come to the rescue. Inside the wreath, place a large candle or several tapers. The tapers can be the same height or differing heights. The choice is yours. Just make certain that the flames or hot wax do not come in contact with anything that could cause a fire. I was at a dinner party once where that happened. We certainly had a lively Christmas party that night!Hurricane lanterns placed in a row down the center of the table can take the place of a traditional centerpiece. Stemware filled with beads, nuts, berries, glass marbles, or any small festive objects can be used as well. You can use themed pieces to decorate in between. We’ll use Christmas bells as our example of a theme. Bells can be purchased in packages or they can be purchased already strung on wire. If they are on wire, they can be wrapped around the base of the hurricane lanterns, or you can attach them to ribbon and wrap the ribbon around the lanterns. Long strands of ribbon and beads can flow around the

Christmas Decoration Storage - 10 Quick Tips to Save You Time and Money When Storing Decorations

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Christmas is busy, fun, exciting, and sentimental. We love it all -- all but the part when we have to clean up and put everything away.
While it may be tempting to just throw everything into boxes and worry about sorting it out next year, you’ll be sorry when a precious Christmas decoration or ornament</b> gets lost or broken.
Following these 10 tips will help you…
A. Save timeby getting all your Christmas decorations organized so it’s quick and easy to find them next year.
B. Save space by using the right kind of boxes that can be easily stacked and organized.
C. Save money by storing your Christmas lights and decorations in a manner that preserves their quality and extends their life span.
10 Quick Tips 
1. Use Clear Plastic Storage Containers - These are great because you can see the contents without having to spend time labeling each box. Plus the plastic helps protect from moisture better than cardboard. When stacking, be sure to place the largest and heaviest boxes on the bottom and smaller boxes on the top.
2. Box the Beads - Pack the beads in small boxes such as plastic shoeboxes. If you use many strands of beads, larger boxes could become too heavy. To keep the beads from becoming tangled, place individual strands in baggies. If you prefer, you can wrap each strand around empty paper towel rolls and tape the ends.
3. Don’t Dog Pile the Christmas Lights - Don’t stack too many lights in the same box. The box will become too heavy and the lights on the bottom could be damaged. Lights can easily become tangled so individual strands of lights should be bagged separately or wrapped around paper towel rolls or something similar and placed in plastic grocery bags or large freezer bags.
4. Save Space with Re-Shapeable Decorations- Bows made of wired ribbon can be flattened and reshaped next year. Wired ribbon garlands and streamers can be tightly rolled. They don’t need to be flattened unless you need to conserve space.
5. Don’t Crush Your Wreaths- Wreaths can be stacked in larger boxes but each wreath should be wrapped with bubble wrap. If they aren’t wrapped then they shouldn’t be stacked. Bubble wrap can be purchased where office supplies are sold. Wreath boxes can also be purchased and are readily available on the Internet and in stores.

6. Wrap Christmas Ornaments Properly- Ornaments should be individually wrapped in white tissue paper or where greater protection is needed, wrap in bubble wrap. Since most ornaments are lightweight they can be stored in large boxes. If you still have the original boxes the ornaments came in, then store them in these and then place them in the <b>storage</b> container.
7. Protect Christmas Decorations from Moisture- If you live in a humid climate using plastic containers may not be enough to protect from moisture. Place packets of silica gel in each container to avoid damage from humidity. Silica gel can be purchased at arts and craft stores. If you cannot find individual packets, you can make your own by wrapping several tablespoons of silica gel in white tissue paper and securing with tape. Several packets should be placed throughout the box.
8. Guard Against Temperature Extremes - Delicate decorations such as ornaments made with photos or wax can be temperature sensitive. Store them in a climate-controlled area or they could deteriorate, melt or stick together.
9. Avoid Box Identity Loss- Attach a red ribbon or tag to each <b>Christmas storage box</b>. This will make them easy to identify next Christmas if they have been stored with other boxes unrelated to Christmas decorations.
10. Toss the Trash - Some people have a tendency to just “hang onto stuff” in hopes that they’ll find a use for it later. Don’t waste space by holding onto old ornaments you know you’ll never use again (unless of course it has some sentimental significance). Just toss out the trash.
A final note: You may also want to consider <b>Christmas ornament boxes</b> and wreath boxes for especially fine ornaments and wreaths instead of <b>clear storage containers</b>. They are available in stores and on the Internet. They are very convenient and some are even acid free for even greater protection for your fine collectables. They are more expensive, but for high quality, valuable ornaments this may be a worthwhile investment.

A little organization today will make you feel like a Christmas decorating pro next year. Happy un-decorating!

Christmas Decorating Trends for 2005

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This year, the latest craze in Christmas decorating is going back in time.  Homeowners seem to be less interested in the icicle-type lights and the use of single color strands.  Baby boomers seem to be harkening back to the days of their youth, by bringing back the full color glory of traditional Christmas lights.Lawn ornaments have become a must-have for the decorating elves in your neighborhood.  Families everywhere are installing huge lawn ornaments, many consisting of animated light patterns.  They sheer number of choices for shapes, sizes, and designs should tell you that these are very popular with festive homeowners.  I am a huge fan of the old-style bubble lights (you know…..the ones with colored water and bubbles inside), and they have returned with a vengeance. Many people seem to be gravitating back to using real trees, instead of using plastic pre-fab ones.  Who can blame them?  They smell great, and they make Christmas feel that much more real.  My family has always used a real tree.  It has become a family tradition to go out and cut the tree ourselves.

We usually wait until mid-December.  We all get bundled up in our snow gear, get our sleighs out, along with a thermos of hot apple cider, and make our way into the bush.  The kids love it, the dog loves it, and it makes for an excellent family adventure!It seems that Christmas flowers have also changed with the times.  Although the classic red poinsettia will likely be with us for the rest of time, many florists are offering their customers alternatives.  As has been the case with flowers in general for some time, florists are now adding dyes to traditional holiday flowers and bouquets.  My personal favorite happens to be a bright violet poinsettia.  My daughter prefers cobalt blue.  What is yours?Whether you are a staunch Christmas traditionalist or you are keen on changing along with the current decorating trends, Christmas decorations have never before been so varied and left consumers with so many choices.  So get out there and shop, shop, shop!  Tis the season, after all!

Christmas Decorating That Will Make Your Holidays Special

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If you are like the majority of people, you do not have a lot of time during the holidays to make special decorations. You can make your holiday decorating quick and easy and create a festive atmosphere in your home without spending a lot of time and money, leaving you more time to enjoy the holiday season with your family. Here are some holiday decorating tips that are free and inexpensive that will require very little effort:
Tableware: Use festive tableware for every meal during the month of December. Search your cupboards and drawers and get out anything that looks remotely festive. You can also shop discount and one-dollar stores and find many items for the holidays that you can use every year. You can add to your collection of holiday tableware each year and soon you will have many types of dishes that will make your holidays special.

Bows: Try decorating with bows. Ribbons tied around chairs, plants, candlesticks, drapes, stairs and doorknobs make wonderful decorations. Place bows and ribbons in many locations throughout your home for a festive look that is quick and easy. The bows and ribbons do not have to be green and red. You can try many colors or match the bows and ribbons to the colors you have in your home. Choose ribbons that you can reuse each year. Wreaths: Put a holiday wreath on every door in your home. Use real pine, holly, and grapevine and decorate with berries, fruit and pinecones. If you purchase artificial wreaths you will be able to use them year after year. Candles: Arrange many candles around the room and turn the lights off during holiday meals. You will create a special, festive atmosphere that will be remembered and anticipated by your family each year. A fire in the fireplace each night will add to the holiday spirit. You can also arrange candles in your bathroom and around your bathtub. Watch small children carefully when you decorate with candles. Holiday decorating does not have to be difficult or expensive. Simple decorations throughout your house will make fond memories for your family and will be anticipated year after year. Make sure to put out plenty of scented potpourri and scented oils in various locations throughout your home.
When the holidays are over, pack the bows and ribbons carefully so that you can use them again and again.

Christmas Decorating: Create A Lifelike Santa In Your Bathroom

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If you love to go all out with your Christmas decorating, here is a whimsical, original idea for your bathroom: Materials needed: White shower curtain, canvas, or fabric (a new canvas drop cloth works great)
Shower curtain liner (to protect curtain from moisture)
Projector*
Permanent black marker, preferably a thick one
Paint pens
 Paint
Fiberfill or cotton balls
Santa hat
Black felt (about one yard)
2 red hand towels or red fabric
*If you can draw, you may not need the projector. If you are not artistically inclined, and do not already own a projector, see if you can borrow one.
Let's get started! If you're using fabric instead of a shower curtain, you'll need to make it standard shower curtain size, which is about 72" x 72". Cut the fabric 73" x 73", fold each side over one half inch, press into place, and hem each side to make smooth edges. Purchase plastic rings (usually found near the curtain rods) and sew them to the top for shower curtain rings. If you don't already have a second rod, pick up a tension rod. They are inexpensive and simple to install.
The next step is finding a great picture of Santa Clause. Look in coloring books, storybooks, or online. Once you find a picture you like, blow it up on the projector until Santa looks life-sized. Hang the fabric or shower curtain on the wall or a door with thumbtacks or straight pins, and project the image onto it. Santa's knees should be about 6" from the bottom of the shower curtain. Stop at the knees and do not draw the rest of the legs (you will see why later).
Next, trace the image with a permanent black marker (put paper behind the curtain to keep marker from seeping through). Fill in the details for Santa's face as well as other intricate areas with the paint pens. Fill in his suit with paint. Nearly any kind of paint will do, but craft paint is the least expensive.
In order to create a three dimensional effect, use fiberfill or stretched out cotton balls for Santa's hair and beard. Apply with regular school glue or use fabric glue. Use a real Santa hat instead of painting one. These can be found at dollar stores and discount stores for very little money. Simply stitch the hat onto the curtain from the backside, or attach it with fabric glue.
Add a piece of black felt for Santa's belt. A real buckle makes a nice touch. You can remove a buckle from an old belt that you no longer wear and thread the felt through it, or you can purchase a used belt at a thrift store and simply remove the buckle to use it for this project. Stitch the felt into place or apply with fabric glue.

Hang the curtain and tuck the bottom edge inside the tub. Santa's knees should line up closely with the edge of the tub.
Here's the really fun part: Fold the red towels in half lengthwise and stitch or glue the sides together. If using fabric, cut to the size of regular hand towels (not fingertip towels) and proceed as directed above. Next, arrange the towels so that the attached edges are in the middle instead of along the side then press into place with a warm iron. This seam should face the shower curtain so it won't show. Stitch or glue the towels to Santa's knees. Santa now has three-dimensional legs that swing when the curtain moves! Make mittens and boots from the leftover black felt. Attach the mittens to the curtain and the boots to the towels. Another neat idea is to set a pair of boots outside the tub and tuck the "legs" into the boots. This looks terrific and makes the effect even more dimensional. This idea is best used in the guest bathroom or on the day company is coming, after everyone has showered, if used in the main bathroom (otherwise, you'll have to keep moving the boots each time the tub is needed). To make your shower curtain even more festive, wrap small empty boxes to look like gifts and attach them to the curtain, or sew on tiny plastic ornaments or candy canes. Just use your imagination. This is a fun, yet fairly simple project to complete, and you will get lots of compliments on this unique, whimsical decorating idea.

Christmas Crochet Patterns Advice

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It is that once a year, when good friends are dear, and if you wish to give more, why don’t you go for a crochet Christmas stocking?
One of the best things about making your own craft is that it gives you a sense of fulfillment. It gives you the kind of satisfaction that you have made a masterpiece at your own skill. And to give away crochet Christmas stockings is just one of the many great ideas that you can make out of crocheting.
It has been a long tradition that since the concept of Christmas was established, Christmas stockings are one of the most visible emblems of this wonderful celebration. And after the Dutch have introduced this idea to America in the 16th century, it has lone been acclaimed as one of the most significant emblem of the Yuletide season.Hence, to make a Christmas stocking through crocheting is doubly amazing. Just imagine how elegant and lovely your Christmas would look like if they were made with some delicate thread intricately intertwined and stitched with your bare hands.So for people who are not yet aware of the benefits that they can get from making crochet Christmas stockings1. It relieves stresshere is a list of advantages that you should know:

,
With the holiday rush penetrating deep down to everybody’s nerves, developing stress is definitely inevitable during this time of the year. The problem is that people are busier than ever, working more than the usual, just to prepare for the holiday season.Shopping alone for the gifts that you want to give away can be stressful enough. Hence, in order to eliminate all of the things that constrain you in a stressful situation, why don’t you try diverting your attention and make some crochet Christmas stockings.Psychological studies have proven that people who are engaged into sewing, particularly crocheting, these people are subconsciously diverted to other activities that are far less stressful than those that they are engaged with as of the moment. In turn, hobbies like crocheting provides an artistic channel to release the stress and for those who want to express what they feel through the art.
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Christmas Crafts for Kids

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With the holiday season soon upon us, it’s time to think about some fun crafts you can do with your children in preparation of Christmas.  My kids love doing holiday crafts, and I’m sure yours will too!  It has always been challenging to find age-appropriate crafts that all of the children will enjoy making.  My children each have a few years between them, so we have amassed quite a collection of crafts and craft ideas.  Here are a few suggestions you can use.  Consider it an early Christmas gift from me to you!Bead garlands are one of my all-time favorite crafts.  They are fun to make, extremely colorful, and great for children of all ages.  You will need some string or plastic cord, a whole lot of beads, some scissors, and some glue.  Cut the string or cord to the desired length, and thread it through the first bead.  Tie a knot around that bead, and add some glue to keep it secure.  Now add the rest of your beads.  When you reach the end, tie the string off on the last bead and add some more glue.

 Now that was fun, wasn’t it?Pine cone ornaments have also become classics in our Christmas craft repertoire.  They are appropriate for children of any age, and keep very well in storage.  You will need to spend some time collecting the pine cones.  We collect them when we are out walking the dog.  We simply paint them with silver or gold paint, and cover them with glitter.  Let them dry somewhere safe, and tie them to your tree with a piece of ribbon.  Are you getting in the holiday spirit, yet?Bell ornaments are also a lot of fun to make, and they will last for years to come.  We feel that small terra cotta pots are the best to use.  Have the children paint the pot green, and allow it to dry.  Once the pot is completely dry, attach fake jewels or beads to it with glitter glue.  Then thread a small bell with some ribbon, and pull the ribbon up through the hole in the pot.  Tie a knot in the ribbon so the bell stays secure, and add any other final touches you might like.  I am sure your kids will love these crafts as much as mine do!  Have a wonderful holiday, all!

Christmas Craft For Holiday Family Gathering

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In many countries, it is a long-held tradition to gather with the family during the days leading to Christmas to make Christmas crafts. As early as the 18th century, society women gathered with their friends to make Christmas crafts. They made, among other things, such items as small Christmas stars and paper packages, which could contain sugar almonds and other delicacies.
Family gatherings at the holidays are a combination of celebrating the new and remembering the old. The families share their different holiday greetings, memories and dreams for one another and themselves as they reflect and celebrate life. A delightful Christmas craft to make for your next holiday greeting are holiday photo coasters. These easy to make Christmas crafts are a delightful way to decorate your holiday table, use for place card holders and share images from holidays gone by.
The first step to take when making this easy to make Christmas craft is to gather photos of each family member, if possible gather picture of visits with Santa, Christmas morning and kids under the Christmas tree. Using the old and new photos for Christmas décor is a great way to combine the magic of the holiday both for the young and the old. Children love to see childhood pictures of their mom, dad, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Seeing their relatives in the same childhood situations as they are experiencing make the idea of their parents as children much more real. In addition, these delightful childhood photographs will bring up fun and interesting stories of childhood memories for the older relatives that the children might not have ever heard before.The next step is to gather the supplies and equipment necessary to make these Christmas crafts. To make Christmas crafts such as photo coasters, you will need 1/8” Plexiglas cut into 3 ½ “ square, allowing two squares per coaster. You will need to make copies of the different Christmas photos that you gathered, making sure not to damage the original copies.

You will also need 3/8” foil tape and self adhesive felt circles. The process of creating each holiday coaster is very easy. Clean all the squares of Plexiglas; making sure that each is dry prior to production. Crop the photo to fit into the square, writing names and dates on the back of each photo as you go. Position the photo exactly as you want it to appear within the coaster when completed, and then cover with the second square.Hold the squares firmly together using small binder clips to make sure that neither the photo nor the squares move. Holding the square firmly in your palm, slightly peel the foil tape and begin to apply it to the square, moving slowly wrapping it around the front and back Plexiglas square equally, removing each binder clip as you attach the foil tape. Smooth the tape and slowly keep working your way around the square, smoothing the corners as you move along. When you reach the end corner, make sure that the tape is smoothed out, using a wooden spoon handle to help remove any air bubbles that might remain. When done, attach four felt circles just under the inside corners of the photograph.

Christmas Lights

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It's only fitting, perhaps, that along with the magic of Santa Claus at
Christmas, holiday and Christmas lights also came about through the work of a
wizard - the Wizard of Menlo Park in New Jersey - as Thomas Edison was called.
It was Edison who first developed and demonstrated an incandescent electric
light bulb in 1879 that had commercial potential, an event that led the way for
the mass use of electricity and lights on Christmas tree as used today.
Before the discovery and use of electricity, candles were used to light
Christmas trees. That practice evolved into having glass covers with candles
inside them or metal lanterns that had small wicks. These were hung like
ornaments on Christmas trees. But even after Edison invented the incandescent
electric light bulb, it took many years before the large-scale manufacture of
Christmas tree lights were available commercially. It is said that the idea of Christmas lights came from one of Edison's assistants, Edward Johnson. In 1882, Johnson had Christmas tree bulbs made
specially for him. He displayed these electric bulbs on his Christmas tree at
his home on Fifth Avenue in New York City and it drew widespread attention. But
Christmas tree lights underwent many changes and improvement before General
Electric Co. introduced Christmas lights on a commercial scale. As an example,
among the earlier lights used on Christmas trees were night-lights that were
strung together to make light strings.
After the commercial introduction of

Christmas lights, sales and wide-scale use of them soared.Decorative mini-lights to be used for Christmas tree lighting were introduced in the 1970s. Since then, they have continued to be popular and are the dominant types of Christmas tree lights in the marketplace. Before that, icicle lights
were introduced as decoration for rooflines. Those decorative lights are the
most popular ones used for outdoor landscape lighting during the holidays.
Outdoor decorative lighting has evolved from Christmas tree lighting to also
become a popular way to use colorful lighting during the holidays to create
spectacular scenes.Another development in decorative lighting at Christmas time is the use of
candles. Real candles can be used, but electric candles became more popular and
safer because they present less threat of a fire hazard. Today that threat has
also decreased with the development of flameless battery candles. The battery
operation also makes their use more flexible because they can be placed in areas
where there aren't electrical outlets. Candles are usually displayed at several
windows of a house during the holidays. They produce an appealing look
especially if there are at least two sets of three windows each other where they
can be placed.Battery-operated candles can also be used during Christmas and the holidays for
other activities such as caroling, church services, school activities and for
other holiday arrangements around the home.As Christmas lights have become a mandatory feature of the holidays, they are continually being used in new ways that differ considerably from their early
beginnings. Outdoor lighting is now just as common as indoor lighting and that
is an area in which a change in the use of holiday lighting can be seen. Along
with icicle lights that illuminate rooflines and frames of houses, there are
also lights that are placed in shrubs. Holiday lighting also comes in the shape
of trees and other ornaments that can be placed on lawn to enhance the visual
appeal during the holidays.Many lawns are landscaped by lighting during Christmas and the holiday season with lighted figurines and various other items associated with the season. In
some communities, entire blocks of streets will have such elaborate holiday lawn
lighting that they attract passersby and even tourists - residents from
elsewhere - who are captivated by the spectacular visual displays of the
landscaped holiday lighting.

Christmas Decorations

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The various types of decoration used at Christmas are what gives a pretty
and sparkling look, and what puts some splendor into the season. The Christmas
tree with its myriad decorations is a standard and central decorative element of
Christmas. But the presence of the Christmas tree is also enhanced by
decorations such as wreaths, garlands, lights and figurines.Wreaths have a round or circular shape and are often used as the decorative piece on the front of a door. Variations of wreaths include berry,
grapevine, poinsettia and snow. The berry wreath will have individual and small
clusters of red berries, holly leaves with features like a gold tint, pine cones
and needle styles. A grapevine wreath has a vine-like look and may have pine
sprigs and clusters of red berry.Poinsettia wreaths showcase leaves that are red or different shades of red, and may have glittered fruits such as pear, apple and grape clusters throughout its
structure. Based on the size of a poinsettia wreath, it may also have large or
small pine cones, pine sprigs and holly leaves. And then there are snow wreaths
that have an icy look from pine cones that are sprinkled or covered with snow
and which are scattered throughout the wreath.Garlands are primarily used to decorate stairways, banisters and mantels. Garlands also have variations such as those that have a lighted Christmas tree
look with twinkling lights and tiny ornaments or tinsel to sparkle. Others such
as a mixed needle lighted garland would have branches of wide and thin pine
needle and Christmas lights. Christmas lights come in various forms and are also used in numerous ways to make homes and business places shine and sparkle during the holidays.
Christmas lights may be colored or plain, may or may not twinkle, and may be
single-stringed or have multiple strings to be hung to create a look like
icicles, which makes them very flexible in how they can be used.

To beautify houses during the Christmas season, Christmas lights may be strung around the roof line, in shrubs, placed at windows to form different patterns and placed on patios or porches to hang as icicles. Lighted candles are
also used in windows to make them visually appealing.Another type of lighted decoration seen during Christmas is in the form of figures that are placed on lawns. It's a matter of personal taste that decides how many figures to place on lawns, whether a lot or a few pieces or sometimes
just a single one may be attractive enough. Christmas trees are the standard decorative elements that are mandatory during the season. They may be real or artificial and can be placed inside or outside.
If placed outside, they should be lighted and also in a sufficiently lit but
subdued lighted area to maximize their visual beauty. Christmas trees are
wonderful to decorate because the entire family can participate in the
decorative process by placing the ornaments, baubles, lights and tinsel on the
tree. Some ornaments may even be personal, such as hand-made items or treasured
keepsake mementos. When these are placed on the tree every year, it can become a
tradition that is kept in the family and which creates a special memory as each
Christmas comes around. Poinsettia flowers, with their flaming red leaves, are also a staple
decoration at Christmas time. They can be placed wherever it's suitable to place
plants. Poinsettias are commonly used around offices in general and personal
work spaces during the Christmas season.If there's snow and a lucky 'White Christmas,' especially on
Christmas Day, then it's worth it to bundle up and with the children jump into
the snow to make a 'Frosty Snowman.' While a smiling snowman on a lawn is a
temporary decorative feature during Christmas, it's always a surprise and
delight because it means that children were out playing in the snow and having
fun.Given the many types, variations and ways in which Christmas decorations
can be used, everyone can have some pleasure and be creative in arranging some
form of Christmas decoration to add their own sparkle and twinkle to the
holidays.

Celebrate With Christmas Decorations

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Christmas is without a doubt one of the most cherished and celebrated times of the year. Most people love to anticipate the coming of Christmastime because of all the great things that Christmas means to them. One of the best ways to anticipate, celebrate, and make the most of the holidays is the use of Christmas decorations.There is nothing lovelier than entering a house at Christmastime that is filled with beautiful Christmas decorations that reflect the love of the family and the values of the season. Nothing is more special than seeing a family Christmas tree filled with homemade ornaments a strings of popcorn that the children have spent hours making. Christmas decorations can transform even the most bland house into a warm and life-filled house during the holidays and that is why I love Christmas decorations so much.Spending a Saturday putting up Christmas decorations can be a great way for a family to spend time together and build lasting family traditions at the same time. Children will learn to enjoy the work that goes into making their home beautiful during the holidays if they are included in putting up the Christmas decorations. Spend time teaching your kids the importance of Christmas and the different things that your Christmas decorations symbolize for your family. Use the hours of decorating to teach important faith and life lessons.

Once you have worked hard at putting up Christmas decorations all day, spend the evening watching old Christmas films and eating pizzas.Do you have any memories of making your childhood home beautiful with Christmas decorations? When I grew up, there was a rule in our home that we couldn't pick out a tree or put up any Christmas decorations unless everyone in the family was home. Even after my older siblings went to college we continued this special tradition. It has been fun to pass down a similar tradition to my own family.My children love to anticipate the day that we will go to the tree farm as a family and cut down the perfect tree. They love to help get the boxes of Christmas decorations out of the basement. And they especially love to sort through the Christmas tree ornaments and choose the ones they want to place on the limbs of our tree.Before the next holiday season rolls around consider ways that you and your family can celebrate by making new traditions or reviving old ones as you beautify your home with Christmas decorations.

Caring For Christmas Trees

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Christmas trees are a long time symbol of the Christmas season, but improperly cared for Christmas trees are unlikely to make it through the entire holiday season. Properly cared for fresh cut Christmas trees, on the other hand, can last several weeks. First and foremost, the key to long-lasting Christmas trees is to give them plenty of water. Many people have developed outlandish concoctions for Christmas trees, ranging from mixing things such as bleach, sugar, syrup, 7-up or vodka in the water. Research has shown, however, that plain water is the best bet for caring for Christmas trees. Furthermore, the water doesn’t have to be distilled or bottled or fancy in any way. Tap water is just fine. To further ensure the longevity of Christmas trees, it is helpful to make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk. This cut should be straight and made about an inch from the end of the trunk and the tree should be placed in water quickly. This cut helps Christmas trees better absorb water from within the tree stand. If the tree is not to be put up right away, it is still a good idea to cut the trunk of the tree and place it in a bucket of water. The tree should then be stored in a shady, protected area that is unheated. When the time comes to set the tree up, the end of the tree should be cut once again to further aid in water absorption. The type of tree stand used with Christmas trees is also important in their ability to last. For most Christmas trees, the water reservoir should hold at least ½ gallon of water, but the more water the better. Keep in mind that freshly cut Christmas trees will absorb up to one full gallon of water, or even more, in the first 24 hours after a new cut is madeRecognizing Christmas Trees that are drying out: 

. They will continue to absorb one or more quarts each day, depending on the room temperature and the amount of lights and other decorations on the tree.
One of the surest signs that Christmas trees are beginning to dry out is water absorption. For a tree that is drying out, water use substantially slows down or stops altogether. The needles of Christmas trees that are not watered regularly will dry and fall off as the tree dries. In addition, the boughs will droop and the tree will lose its fragrance. Trees kept near TV’s, fireplaces, air ducts, and radiators have a tendency to dry more quickly. It is also important to keep Christmas trees watered because a dried sap seal will form over the end of them within four to 6 hours after the water drops below the base of the tree. This makes it impossible for the trees to absorb water, even after the reservoir is refilled. This problem can be remedied by cutting the bottom of the tree once again, but this is difficult to do with a tree that has already been decorated.