5 tips for buying the perfect Christmas tree
My family has used a $25 plastic Christmas tree for years but it’s time for a change.
This is our artificial tree we used last year.
My oldest child has grown approximately a billion inches this past year, so he’s almost taller than the tree now.
My son can place the topper on this artificial twig without using a stepstool. And considering our living room has 9-foot ceilings (#humblebrag), that tiny trifle has got to go.
But because we aren’t quite up for the cut-down-your-own adventure, here’s what I learned when picking out a real tree in Charlotte.
(1) Pick a place close to home
There are so many tree lots scattered around town, but as in all real estate, the most important feature is location. A shorter travel time from the lot to your home means that evergreen treasure is less likely to fly off your roof during transit.
(Just pretend Jerry’s talking about trees, not mattresses.)
And for those of us with minivans, the sliding doors won’t close with the twine in the way. The tree will have to be secured with the doors already closed and the windows open. Unless the weather is unseasonably warm, a quicker ride is the way to go.
(2) Pick a fresh tree
It’s time to channel your inner canine and use most of your senses to pick out the perfect tree.
Look for green, bright needles and eschew trees with brown spots.
Smell for that piney, fresh scent. But don’t expect to be blown away. Transplants (read: Yankees) know trees from here don’t have as strong of an odor as those up North. But they don’t get to pick out Christmas trees while wearing shorts, so it all balances out.
Touch the trunk and don’t be afraid of sap. That means it’s a fresh tree. Yes, it’ll be messy. But that’s part of the fun, right?
Ask questions, such as where the trees are from and when they were cut. The fresher the tree, the longer it’ll last.
But don’t taste the tree. That would be weird and not helpful.
(3) Pick out a tree stand first
Bring the stand with you to the lot. Because (real) trunk sizes are not universal and your perfect tree may be too thick to fit in your stand, most tree lots will crank up a trusty chainsaw and shave that tree’s trunk to fit.
If you’re crafty, you can ask for those shaved branches to make your own wreath or garland or maybe a broach or a little hat.
And measure your space. When we got home, we realized we could have gone bigger.
(4) Pick a price
Bring cash. Know how much you want to spend. And it’s OK to haggle. The price listed on the tree isn’t necessarily the final price.
(5) Pick a friend
Although the guys at the lot will help you get that ornament holder up on the roof of your car, it’s up to you to get it in your house. If you want optimal results, it’s not a one-person job.
But setting it up should be a snap. Certainly faster and easier than putting together that artificial nightmare.
Photos: T. Ortega Gaines/Charlotte Observer; Elizabeth Foster; “When Harry Met Sally”
This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 11:18 PM with the headline "5 tips for buying the perfect Christmas tree."