Must-Know Tips and Tricks for Christmas Trees

Check the height of the tree before you bring it into the house to make sure it’ll fit under the ceiling. Then if you have to shorten the trunk, the sawdust will stay outside. Cut an inch or so off the bottom of the trunk. The fresh wood can absorb more water, so the tree will stay fresher longer. You’ll also want to measure the trunk diameter by test-fitting the stand. If the tree’s too big, you’ll need to either get a bigger stand;—or start whittling. Use a lopper to trim any bottom branches that don’t clear the sides of the stand.

To make a Christmas tree stand more firmly on deep, spongy carpet, set the stand on a piece of 1/4-in. hardboard (a.k.a. Masonite). 4 x 8-ft. sheets are available at home centers (some home centers also have 4 x 4-ft. sheets). To make the tree tip-proof, bolt the tree stand to the hardboard using 1/4-in. pan head machine screws. On wood or tile floors, cover the screwheads with duct tape so they don’t scratch the floor.

Winding the lights around your Christmas tree can be a pain. Here’s a great way to rotate the tree in its stand without scratching up your hardwood floor. Put a bath rug underneath the tree stand, fabric side down, rubber side up. You can easily turn the tree to string your lights and place your ornaments just where you want them. It makes ‘undecorating’ the tree a breeze too. Fold the rug under the tree skirt to keep it hidden. After you’re done setting up the tree, watch one of these new Christmas movies on Netflix.

Slip a tree disposal bag over the base of the tree before putting it in the stand. The bag is hidden under the tree skirt until you’re ready to haul the tree out the door—without leaving a trail of needles through the house. Just remove the ornaments from the tree, pull the bag up like a pair of pants, and you’re on your way. Don’t forget to tear a slit for the trunk so the tree can get water! Here are some fun ways to celebrate Christmas this year.

When you bring your tree home, carry it into the house and set it up in the stand before removing the netting. It’ll slip right through doors, hallways and stairwells without making a mess. You’ll find it easier to get at the tree stand screws and easier to tell if the tree is straight.

A plastic snow saucer, the kind with the flat area in the center, is great for keeping overflowing Christmas tree water from staining your floor. Place a carpet remnant under the saucer to prevent scratches on wood flooring. Dress your home up with these chic outdoor Christmas decorations.

Two or three lengths of fishing line can keep climbing cats or rambunctious kids from tipping your tree. Just tie one end of each line to the top of the tree and the other to something sturdy: a screw driven into an inconspicuous spot on the wall, moldings above windows or doors, or even a curtain rod.

If you want a tree that you can keep out of the reach of curious cats, check out this succulent Christmas tree.

Live trees are sensitive. For a tree to have any chance of survival, it can’t undergo extreme climatic changes. When a tree is brought into a warm home, it will react as if it’s spring and start growing. Once it has entered this growing stage, it will likely die if it suffers through a prolonged freeze when it’s set outside after Christmas.

If you live in a moderate climate, when the Christmas season is over, gradually get your tree accustomed to the outdoors by storing it in the garage or three-season porch before planting it. The time for heavy frost must be passed before you take it outside. When you finally plant your tree, place it in well-drained soil where it will get full sun.

If you live in a cold climate, a live tree really isn’t practical. You’d need to leave it outside on a screen porch or deck the entire time so it would stay more or less dormant. And you probably don’t want your ornaments outside. For those who have houseplants, here’s how to keep them alive in the winter.

Putting up and taking down holiday lights in a tall outdoor tree can be tricky. The easiest method we’ve found is to use a paint roller extension pole with a hook on the end. You can use a wire coat hanger or other heavy-gauge wire. Just embed it in the pole threads, bend the wire up into a hook and secure it with duct tape to keep the hook from sliding around the pole. This trick works well with these vintage Christmas decorations.

When dismantling an artificial Christmas tree, use the ribbons to tie up the boughs of each section. Or, pull out a roll of self-adhesive bandage wrap. The wrap is strong and reusable, it won’t damage the tree and it’s not very expensive. Next, browse this list of beautiful Christmas decorations.