As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to plan your holiday decorations. A natural Christmas tree is a gorgeous addition to your home, but it can require some upkeep. If well cared for, a natural Christmas tree can last the entire holiday season. However, there is some planning needed for purchasing, caring for, and cleaning up after the tree. Here is your complete guide to owning a natural Christmas tree!
Picking up the pine needles
When you get your tree to its stand, it is essential to clean up all pine needles that have fallen onto the floor around your home. The needles’ sap can become sticky if left alone for too long, which can stick to the carpet and make cleanup even harder. Keeping a skirt spanning underneath the reach of the tree branches will keep needles off the floor when your tree is set up for the season.
Water
Christmas trees require more water than you may think. That can mean up to a gallon of water a day. When purchasing a tree, make sure your tree stand can hold the appropriate size tree and the water it will require. Additionally, plan on watering your tree every day.
Cleanup
Since the needles can be a pain to clean up, it is important to wrap the entire tree to contain the needles while transporting it to the trash. Garbage bags will work for small trees, but for larger trees, you can try using a bedsheet. Christmas trees can also be recycled, but you need to make sure the tree is completely bare; all ornaments, lighting, or any other decoration needs to be gone.
Natural Christmas trees have uses beyond just serving as a decoration. Try using pine needle clippings as an addition to a simmer pot! Oranges, lemon, cinnamon sticks, and pine needles in a pot of boiling water will make your home smell amazing. The tree itself will add a natural Christmas smell to your home all season long. However, if this seems like a hassle, you can always opt for an artificial tree!
