The traditional Christmas tree is the common fir. But before the holidays, you can also find pine and fir in the markets.
Many people prefer pine in the first place because of the low price. Pine, unlike spruce, has thin and long needles. So it looks more fluffy and not as prickly. Pine tends to fall off more slowly than spruce and has a stronger pine aroma, which is accompanied by an active release of sticky resin. This can cause some inconvenience. Check site
The most expensive Christmas tree is considered a fir. It has a fairly long and lush needles of rich green color, which also almost does not prick. Therefore, to decorate this tree – a pleasure. And fir lives longer at home than spruce and pine. It almost never shatters.
But even this seemingly perfect Christmas tree has a drawback. A fir has a very faint smell of needles compared to the others. So don’t forget to buy a fragrance.
Despite some differences, all of these trees are called Christmas trees. Yes, and the principles of their selection are not different.
- Buy on time
People are split into two camps on this issue. One believes that the live Christmas tree should be put closer to the holiday, not before December 27. Otherwise, the tree just will not last until the old New Year.
Others believe that putting it off is not worth it. The fact is that the trees are cut down about a month before the New Year. And after that they are stored in the cold, without water and without any recharge. So it is better to take your spruce home right away.
Both have their own truth, but we still advise to take care of the purchase of a Christmas tree in advance. The closer the holiday is, the less choice there is. And one more thing: plan your Christmas tree shopping in the morning. You’ll need good daylight.
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- Use a tape measure
Before you go to the bazaar, measure the space you can give to the Christmas tree. Write down the parameters and take a tape measure with you. Don’t count on being able to determine the dimensions by eye. A tree that is too small can get lost in the mix, while one that is too large will jut against the ceiling or simply look unwieldy and out of place.
Find a Christmas tree market near you.
A Christmas tree market is an affordable yet reliable place. In large cities, hundreds of outlets open before the holidays. They start working no later than December 20, and close a few hours before the chimes. So you are sure to have time to walk the rows.
It is better to choose the nearest sales outlet, because it is safest to bring the tree to the apartment by yourself, without using transport.
You can take a risk and use online services. For example, on the site sadovod.org you can see a detailed description of the Christmas tree, photos and video review, and arrange for delivery by courier or self-delivery.
- Рay attention to the trunk
So, you’ve taken your measurements and found yourself at a Christmas tree market. There are dozens of trees around you. The first thing you have to pay attention to is the trunk. It shouldn’t be too thin. For an average spruce, pine or fir with a height of 1.5-2 meters the minimum diameter is 6 cm.
There should be no mold or dark spots on the bark. But the presence of resin, on the contrary, is a good sign. This is an indicator of the quality and health of the tree.
- Smell the Christmas tree.
A healthy tree should have a pronounced scent of needles. If you are used to the smell at the market and don’t smell it, take a few needles and crush them in your hands. If you do not smell even in this case, it is better to pass by such a tree.
- Pay attention to the color
How to choose a Christmas tree: pay attention to color.
Deep green color, bluish hue – the signs of a quality tree. Yellow and orange, on the other hand, indicate that the tree is old and dehydrated. Such a tree is unlikely to fall off before the New Year holidays.
- Stroke the needles.
Run your hand over the twig. If there are no needles left in your fingers, that’s a good sign. And yes, you shouldn’t be in pain. The needles of a healthy tree are soft and supple.
- Bend the branch.
The strength of the branches is just as important as the freshness of the tree itself. Weak ones will simply not be able to withstand the weight of toys and will fall under their weight.
Don’t be afraid of the salesmen’s leering glances, take one branch and bend it a little. Like needles, it should be elastic. If it breaks, the test has failed.
Also, pay special attention to the lower branches, they should be pointing upward.
And a few more tips
Be careful when transporting it. Immediately after purchase, tie the tree with ropes, cover it with a cloth or bag and take it home. If you don’t have a car, a small trunk or backseat is not a good idea. It is better to transport the tree on the roof of the car.
Do not take the tree from the street into a warm room right away. This temperature difference is destructive. It is better to leave the tree in the entrance for a while.
Take the tree in the apartment to the front of the head. This is not a folk omen, just so you do not break anything.
Do not put a live Christmas tree to the radiator, the fireplace, and to any other heat source. This will dry the tree out, and the needles will fall faster than you expect.
Take care of the tree. Put it in a bucket of water or soil and spray the crown to keep the needles fresh and fragrant for as long as possible.
How to choose an artificial Christmas tree
This option has a lot of advantages. First, an artificial Christmas tree, with the right approach, will last you more than a year. This is much more economical than buying a live tree every year. Secondly, your conscience will be clear, because this way you do not harm the environment. And most importantly: The needles don’t fall off of a plastic tree at all!
- Ask for certificates.
Artificial Christmas trees can be toxic. And it’s not just the constant smell of plastic in the house, but also harm the health of family members. Therefore, be sure to ask the seller papers that confirm the quality of the materials used. This document is usually called a certificate of compliance. You can also ask for a certificate of fire safety.
Pay attention to the material.
Most often artificial Christmas trees are made of PVC, fishing line, soft plastic or fiber optic. The price of the product will vary depending on the material. So, the most budgetary option is a Christmas tree made of PVC film. In general, such a product quite well imitates the appearance of a living tree. The main thing is to carefully fold the Christmas tree after purchase and try not to crumple it, as it is easily deformed and hard to repair.
The fishing line is a little more expensive. But a Christmas tree made of this material looks spectacular and festive due to its fluffy branches. But do not expect the resemblance to natural wood.
Soft plastic is more expensive than fishing line and PVC film. But it has all the above advantages. Such an artificial spruce is externally similar to a live one. And at the same time it is quite fluffy.
The fiber optic Christmas tree is connected to the network and glows like a garland. It does not even have to be dressed up, it creates an atmosphere of celebration by itself. The Christmas tree is safe for your apartment because it has a minimum voltage of 12 volts. Costs such a Christmas tree is more expensive than other artificial trees.
- Examine the product
Examine the Christmas tree carefully in good light. It should be free of smudges of glue. Caress the product “against the wool” and pull the needles. They should not break at the first touch. Also a quality artificial Christmas tree should not smell like plastic.
