HOME & GARDEN
When to put up a Christmas tree
Many are torn between putting a Christmas tree up in November or holding out until Advent. The best route is to consider both tradition and the lifespan of your fir. Knowing exactly when to put up a Christmas tree can be unclear for many of us. Between tradition and what social media tells us, you may be torn between holding out until Advent – beginning the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, November 28th 2021 this year or waiting until Christmas Eve as you finish work! Family traditions and preferences are one thing but then there’s the question of how to ensure your gorgeously decorated Christmas tree doesn’t die before December 25. Sarah Fishburne, Director of Trend and Design at The Home Depot says ‘How – and when – you deck the halls is different for everyone! When should a Christmas tree be put up? Traditionally, a Christmas tree would be put up to mark the beginning of Advent which is a time of celebration, anticipating Christ’s birth. Many of us now put our trees up in November but there’s no hard and fast rule, it’s more down to personal preference in terms of your holiday traditions and what level of upkeep you feel comfortable with. Theoretically, you can keep a tree alive for a month, but in practice, most cut down trees will only stay fresh for two to three weeks; after that, the tree will just shut down and begin shedding its needles. ‘Because fresh-cut trees have a limited life, purchase one that was recently harvested. Most types of Christmas trees that are freshly cut usually last between four and six weeks, so be careful not to purchase too early. You may have a little more time if you’ll be keeping yours in a room that’s cool and gets plenty of natural light; heating really dries out Christmas trees, so bear that in mind. There are also various hacks you can try to keep your Christmas tree alive for longer, but if you tend to be forgetful, the safest thing to do is to get your tree during the second week of December – that way, you’re guaranteed a fresh-looking tree on Christmas Day. Firs things First 1. Take off a slither off the stump. 2. Sit in a bucket for a night and a day before bringing it in. The later you bring it in, the fresher it will be. 3. Get a stand that can hold water. 4. Feed it with lemonade, sugar water or florists cut flower food. 5. Be careful not to overfill the stand, and put your Christmas tree somewhere away from the radiator or open fires. So choose your Christmas tree wisely and dress it like a pro to enjoy it in all its glory throughout the holiday. And if you go down the artificial tree route ensure you pick the best fit for your home and get clued up on light safety. Most modern artificial trees operate with LED lights for added energy-saving and safety benefits. The local Fire Brigades also recommend using LED string lights on live trees. They don’t get hot to the touch, so they’re a lot safer. No matter if you are using a live tree or an artificial one, we recommend to always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.’ n
n 14 | Warwickshire Now | Issue 59 | December 2021/January 2022
