Christmas trees are a wonderfully festive tradition that the whole family can enjoy. Although artificial Christmas trees are popular with many people, cut Christmas trees are still the traditional favorite, providing the pine smell that we have come to associate with Christmas. It is important, however, to take care of your Christmas tree so that it neither becomes a fire hazard nor makes a mess out of your house!
Christmas trees can be cut down by the person buying the tree, at a Christmas tree farm, or they can be purchased pre-cut at many lots in most cities. For people wanting the freshest cut Christmas tree possible, the Christmas tree farm is the way to go. Either way, it is important to get your cut Christmas tree into water as soon as possible, so that it doesn't dry out.
When you bring your cut Christmas tree home, you should slice off the end of the trunk, to allow the water to best be absorbed by the tree. If the end is not cut off, the tree will not get the water. Monitor the water level, adding more water when necessary, because if the tree dries out, you will have to cut another slice off of the trunk. Watering your tree will help it from becoming a fire hazard, as well as helping it preserve its good looks.
One of the disadvantages to a cut Christmas tree is that it will inevitably drop needles. If you vacuum up these needles once a day, even just using a hand-held vacuum, they are much less likely to be tracked into every room in the house. Breaking ornaments can cause a mess too, as well as be a hazard for small children, so make sure that glass and other breakable ornaments are not within reach of toddlers or pets.
Although a cut Christmas tree is a delight to have in the house, it can quickly become a fire hazard. Don't try to keep a tree too long, as it will become dried out and easy catch on fire. Also, Christmas tree lights should only be plugged in when someone is in the room, to reduce the risk of fire. Alternatives to cut Christmas trees are living trees that can be replanted, and artificial Christmas trees.
