Holidays & Entertaining

Make your fresh-cut tree last longer

Bringing a fresh-cut tree into your home is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. There is just something about the way it smells that brings a smile to faces young and old. To keep your tree healthy and green for as long as possible, take a look at these tips from The Home Depot Canada:

Choosing “the one”

Run your fingers along the needles and to give the tree a shake. If the tree is fresh, the needles should be pliable and few should fall off. Make sure the trunk of the tree is straight and at least six inches long so it will fit easily into a tree stand. A tip would be to measure your tree stand ahead of time to determine the maximum trunk size it can accommodate. As well, make sure to measure the ceiling height at your home before buying the tree.

Trim time

Once you have the tree at home, cut about one-quarter inch off the bottom so that it can absorb water more easily, which is crucial to its survival. When purchasing it, ask a Home Depot associate to do this for you. Once home, place your tree upright in the tree stand, unwrap and prune branches as needed. Even if you don’t want to prune the entire tree, you should always trim the lower branches to make for easier access underneath.

Make decorating a family affair

When decorating the tree, try choosing a colour scheme that matches your home’s décor. If you prefer a classic look you may opt for traditional colour accents. However if your home is more eclectic try a modern mix. The Martha Stewart Living holiday collections have beautiful ornaments in all colours and sizes including ‘Celebrate’ (gold and brown), ‘Arctic’ (blue and silver), and ‘Winterberry’ (red, green and gold). Having a complementary colour scheme makes decorating easy.

By following these simple tips, not only can you be sure to pick an attractive tree, but you can also keep it fresh for three to four weeks in your home. More information about decorating can be found online at www.homedepot.ca or at a store location in your neighbourhood.

www.newscanada.com

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