| The selection and purchase of a Christmas tree is | | | | prevent a fire hazard later fill the stand with |
| an annual tradition for most families. Today, | | | | water even if you are not ready to decorate the |
| selecting the perfect tree is one of the highlights | | | | tree. Remember that you will most likely be |
| of many families' pre-holiday preparations. There | | | | putting color lights on your tree which is a source |
| are many types of trees used as Christmas | | | | of heat and can ignite a fire with the dried |
| trees, some of the different types are, the | | | | needles. |
| Douglas fir, Scotch Pine, Blue Spruce, The North | | | | Decorating the tree (trimming the tree) is as |
| Carolina Fraser Fir to The Noble Fir. | | | | individual as each family, further each member of |
| The selection of your tree will depend on a | | | | the family will have their ideas of what should go |
| number of factors such as your budget and the | | | | to make up the look of the final trimmings. Some |
| size of the space you will be hosting your tree in. | | | | people like the traditional star at the top of the |
| For a house a tree of about 6 feet is ideal, for a | | | | tree others like other things at the top just for |
| small size apartment or office a tree of about 4 | | | | variety. Again the body of the tree can be |
| feet is adequate. How you decorate your | | | | festooned with anything from handmade |
| Christmas tree is a matter of budget and | | | | ornaments to high priced Christmas items bought |
| personal taste. However; the purchase of your | | | | in the store. Remember this is a time of |
| Douglas Fir or Scotch Pine or Blue Spruce kicks | | | | celebration, joy and togetherness of friends and |
| off your yuletide festivities in earnest. For many | | | | family. Compromise is one of the keys to keeping |
| people, decorating the Christmas tree is a favorite | | | | the mood light, festive and in the spirit of goodwill |
| part of the holiday season. In fact, the Christmas | | | | to all. |
| tree is one of the most recognizable images of | | | | What ever you buy some time needs to be |
| the season. | | | | spent learning which species you prefer, The |
| The person more commonly credited with | | | | Douglas Fir, The Scotch Pine, The Blue Spruce or |
| bedecking the first Christmas tree is Martin Luther | | | | another kind. Obviously your final choice will be |
| (1483-1546). The tradition to decorate the | | | | determined by your budget and the size of your |
| Christmas tree is about 500 years old. A | | | | hosting space. The Christmas tree is a symbol of |
| Christmas tree is considered mature and ready | | | | a living Yuletide spirit and brings into our lives a |
| for harvest when it reaches 6 to 7 feet, the | | | | pleasant aroma of the forest. Like many other |
| most popular height desired by consumers. The | | | | Christmas traditions, the universally-popular |
| more visible and less expensive cut Christmas | | | | Christmas tree is derived from a fusion of |
| tree is the Douglas fir. The most popular | | | | Christian ideas with the older pagan traditions. |
| Christmas tree is Scotch pine. When a Christmas | | | | Whatever its origin the Christmas tree has added |
| tree is cut, over half of its weight is water this | | | | much joy and pleasure to the festive tradition |
| should signal the necessity of getting your tree | | | | over the years. |
| home quickly and erecting it in a suitable stand. To | | | | |