12 minute read
In Your Backyard
THE TOP 4 TREES TO CHOOSE FOR CHRISTMAS
Nothing brings the sights, sounds, and smells of the holiday season into your home like a real Christmas tree. Scott Johnson, Nashville District Manager with the Davey Tree Expert Company says that while you’ll find many types of real Christmas trees at the tree lot, the key to picking the perfect tree is to consider species type, fragrance and needle retention.
“Real Christmas trees are a wonderful way to bring natural beauty into our homes.” Says Johnson. “Evergreen trees are an incredible reminder that while many plants and trees seem quiet or ‘sleepy’ this time of year, trees are actually growing and thriving yearround.”
The following four Christmas trees are among his favorites for their texture, fragrance, less-mess needle retention, and beauty:
1. FIRS, INCLUDING BALSAM AND FRASER With a wonderful Christmas fragrance, stiff branches to hold heavy decorations, and needles that won’t shed, firs are stand-out Christmas trees. However, as slow-growing trees, they are often a more expensive option. Both varieties offer needles that are soft to the touch and easy for decorating, as well as the longevity to last through the holiday season… when watered properly!
2. SCOTCH AND EASTERN WHITE PINE Pines are the most popular choice for Christmas trees, and their excellent needle retention makes them the perfect choice for anyone worried about “shedding” this holiday season. However, their flexible branches may struggle to hold heavy ornaments. Those with sensitive noses may wish to choose the Eastern White pine, while those seeking the classic holiday scent of fresh pine can choose the Scotch variety, which offers a long-lasting aroma.
3. COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE The silvery-blue hues and symmetrical shape of spruces make them an elegant holiday
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fixture. With a full bottom that winnows to a slender top, the Colorado Blue Spruce’s stout branches make it a good choice for heavier ornaments and decorations. It’s also among the best trees for needle retention, offering beauty throughout the entire holiday season.
4. DOUGLAS FIR While not a true fir, these trees can be found on many tree farms, and often at an affordable price. Douglas firs are prized for their sweet scent and dense dark green or blue-green needles that are soft to the touch.
Once you settle on the perfect tree, two tips can help you make the most of your real tree:
Water Regularly: Frequent watering helps to maintain fragrance and prevents needles from drying and dropping off. Your tree may take in a large amount of water one day and just a little the next in a cycle that seems random but is perfectly normal. Check and replenish your Christmas tree’s water every day.
“Tree-cycle” It: After the holidays, be sure to recycle your real tree. Your municipality or local recycling program may offer “tree-cycling” that often turn former Christmas trees into mulch. Just be sure to remove all non-organic décor like lights and ornaments!
Have more questions about Christmas trees or trees growing in your yard? Find out more at davey.com. The Davey Tree Expert Company provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental solutions for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners across North America. As one of the largest employee-owned companies in the U.S., Davey has been dedicated to creating and delivering sustainable solutions for 140 years.
(615) 794-7415 • TENNESSEEVALLEYHOMES.COM
This year more than ever I believe we need to truly “Deck The Halls” for the holiday season. As different as things may seem, I say bring it out, bring it on, and let’s decorate!
I love using fresh garland whenever possible, as the fragrance fills the entire home. By combining fresh and faux you can get a really fantastic look that’s full, and cut down on the expense of the fresh each year. This is especially a great idea for bannisters and mantles that are focal points in your home. Fresh magnolia and greens can be easily found. You can also ask to purchase bundles of trimmings from your local tree seller for a nominal cost.
It would not be Christmas without a fresh tree in our home. We save that honor for the great room and the tree is filled with heirloom ornaments, handmade one’s from my grandmother, and every ornament my daughter brought home that she made herself, since pre-school. I even have ornaments I made as a child and from my family’s tree. We also purchase an ornament from our travels through the year which makes hanging them fun as we remember special vacations. This tree is the most meaningful to our family. Other trees throughout the house have various themes and special meaning too, but the main fresh big tree is always our favorite.
Collecting nutcrackers with my mother was a valued tradition I am continuing with my daughter. I use them throughout the house and each has a special memory. Bringing the nutcrackers out each year and adding to the collection is a favorite decorating tradition.
I believe personalizing your decoration as much as you can truly fills your home with joy. Think about framing Christmas cards from years past to set a vignette in your home. I hang family and friend photo ornaments on their own special tree on our kitchen island. It truly makes me smile every time I am in that space. I also set up a Christmas candy and hot chocolate bar after Thanksgiving for us to enjoy through the season. The treats are fun to have and it adds a special touch to the overall holiday decor.
Whatever your plans look like this Holiday season I hope it is filled with hope and happiness. Finding joy in our spaces is more important this year than ever. Here’s looking to finding many things this year to be grateful for, and wishing you and yours a safe and beautiful Holiday Season.
JENNIFER PARKER Interior Thinking jennifer@parkerhaveninteriors.com
Holiday Hostessing 101
Seems like this magical, wonderful season, has quite a few reasons to make us pull our hair out! Whether it is the exhausting party circuit, the cooking, the relatives, gift buying and giving, or in general getting your home, your life, your kids, all set for Christmas – we could all use a few tricks of the trade to get us through with a bit more ease and a lot less strife! We may not get to use these tips during a pandemic this year, but save this page for 2021 because, Lord willing; we will all be ready to PARTY all season long! Cheers to a safe and fun holiday season. Article reprinted from previous issue.
BY SHELLY ROBERTSON BIRDSONG
As your resident harried hostess, I am an endless supply of entertaining tips for the busy working mom. You all know that exhausting moment in December when you crawl in from work after sitting in Christmas shopping mall traffic for over an hour? And what to your wondering eyes should appear, but your neighbors and … your other neighbors… and your husband’s golf buddy… and your cousin Suzy, with six kids in tow… It’s the holidays - so spread some instant cheer with these tips to keep your home and kitchen holiday guest ready at a moment’s notice! And every time a bell rings … you can get your holiday hostess with the most-est wings!
In order to make it through the holidays without spending every day planning for and preparing for guests, do these few things starting December 1st. Yes, a little forethought and pre-planning will make the next thirty-one days much easier I promise!
fKeep the house clear of those pesky tree needles and stray mistletoe balls and invest in a cordless vacuum that you can keep charged and ready to pick up minor messes at a moment’s notice. Even the kids can manage it and help!
fBuy five good candles in varying holiday scents at the start of the season; something Fir Tree, something Winter Snow, something Cranberry, and scatter them in your common area rooms. Keep lighters close by and accessible so as soon as the doorbell rings unexpectedly, you can light and create a festive and non-smelly atmosphere right away!
fIf you are really ahead of the game – bake cookies and freeze the dough in ready-made balls to quickly pop in the oven. Or…make sure you buy three or four rolls of pre-made in your favorite holiday flavor – peanut butter, sugar or gingerbread, to slice and bake with no muss or fuss!
fSpeaking of pre-planning: keep on hand cans of frozen orange and lemon concentrate and brew up some tea by the gallon, add sugar to your liking. This too can be kept frozen. Guests coming? 32 HOLIDAY 2020 Mix all that together and add some fresh cranberries or sprigs of basil for color. It’s fabulous Tea Punch! This can be a great mixer for champagne or vodka if you need to pligh your guests with holiday “spirits.” It’s also a good idea, especially if you know you will entertain throughout the holidays or will have a party or two to attend yourself, to just go ahead and buy a case of wine – mix red, white and champagne - and you are ready to serve or take a bottle as a hostess gift at any moment!
fSpeaking of hostess gifts, again, forethought here: Buy 5-10 cute, unique, maybe with the date on them, tree ornaments when they are on sale at the start of the season for around $3-$5; get small gift bags, tissue paper and cards. Wrap in advance and have in the closet. Co-worker got you something and you never even considered getting her a gift? Well here you go you super sweet person you! Gift on the go!
fBuy holiday or just red, green or white cocktail napkins, hard plastic or holiday plates and cups – and keep them tucked away for that moment when you haven’t run the dishwasher in over a week. If you are lucky enough to have crystal or glass wine glasses – go ahead - pull that stuff out! And maybe think about polishing the silver the beginning of November…Those trays and serving pieces can come in handy and make you uber Martha Stewart looking for at least four months before they need to be polished again!
fLastly, and really a year-round trick of the trade of hostessing – buy mixed nuts, multi packs of crackers and keep hard cheeses and/or brie or specialty cheese on hand at all times and voila- add some olives, grapes, jam or other favorite crudité and you have a ready-made and seemingly fancy and well thought out party tray! Especially if you serve it on a silver platter.
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Holiday Diffuser Recipes
Whether an avid oil user or a newbie, diffusing essential oils is a great way to experiment with the different combinations of scents. This time of the year, we all want our home to smell festive and oils are a safe and natural way to achieve this. The hardest part can be getting started. Luckily you only need a diffuser (can be purchased online at various sites like Bath and Body Works, Whole Foods or Amazon) and some oils. There are many different brands of oils, so you may want to do some research to find which ones suit your needs and nostrils. After that, it’s time to concoct. Here are a few of my favorite blends to get you started.
FIRESIDE 2 drops Cypress
SNUGGLES 3 drops Cinnamon 3 drops White Fir 3 drops Clove
MERRY AND BRIGHT 3 drops White Fir 2 drops Grapefruit 2 drops Frankincense HOLIDAY JOY
CIDER 3 drops Sweet Orange 2 drops Cinnamon WINTER WONDERLAND 4 drops Peppermint 3 drops Bergamot
CANDY CANE 4 drops Peppermint 2 drops Spearmint
1 drop Clove 3 drops Frankincense 3 drops Sweet Orange 2 drops Peppermint
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Alyson can help you navigate the housing market as well as the school systems along In addition, she is a liaison for the Professionwith other factors that come with starting al Development Committee. Misty has served fresh in a new area. as an instructor for local REALTOR® associations for the past five years.
With work experience in architecture and construction, Alyson is dedicated to understanding your needs and looks forward to working for you. Misty and her husband, Jeff , have two children. Jeff, also a REALTOR®, is in the construction business.
