Finding The Perfect Christmas Tree

(HIT) - While many would agree that nothing says "Christmas" quite like a Christmas tree, a consensus on what makes the "perfect" Christmas tree may be a little bit harder to come by. Fortunately, there are more than a dozen live evergreen varieties—and many dozens more of the artificial genre—from which to choose.

In fact, with all of the choices available these days, choosing the right Christmas tree for your family can be overwhelming. Here are some tips that can help:

Choose A Location Before Buying Your Christmas Tree

Before heading out to find your perfect Christmas tree, decide exactly where you’re going to put it. Take measurements of the area you have in mind and think a bit about how you’re going to get the tree from its current home to yours. Is there a grounded electrical outlet nearby? Would a Christmas tree in the selected location create a traffic problem when family and friends arrive to celebrate the holidays?

Select The Right Size Christmas Tree For You And Your Space

This one may seem obvious, but who doesn’t have fond memories of their father having to haul the Christmas tree back outside for a "trim." When shopping for a tree, keep your measurements handy and keep in mind that Christmas trees always seem to look smaller on the display floor at Lowes, or in the middle of a tree farm in the country.

Whether you’re planning to display your tree in a floor stand or on a table, buy one that will be at least a foot short of your ceiling height to allow room for the tree topper. Select a base size and tree width that will fit comfortably in your chosen space … it’ll be easier to decorate and less likely to topple when your home is crowded with guests. Slimline artificials—with a base width of 36 to 48 inches—are perfect for apartments, condos, and non-traditional locations like a kitchen area or entryway.

Evaluate Christmas Tree Coverage

Coverage refers to the density of a tree’s branches. It’s important to choose a Christmas tree that offers enough coverage to suit your personal taste, but that still provides enough space to decorate. A full tree may be harder to decorate with little space to hang and display ornaments. A good gauge of fullness on an artificial tree is the "tip count." Generally, the more tips the tree has, the fuller it looks.

Lighting Considerations

For artificial pre-lit trees, consider each tree’s coverage and light placement. Use the "squint test," to reveal any holes or areas that don’t seem properly lit. When purchasing lights for a live tree, measure the tree or ask a clerk for help in determining how many lights are required. Miniature lights are ideal for live trees because they produce less heat and reduce the drying effect on the tree.

New lights designed to stay on even when a bulb burns out or loosens—like those from GE® with Constant ON™ lighting technology—are particularly effective at ending the age old frustration of trying to locate one faulty bulb amongst thousands.

Match Tree Type To Lifestyle

With all of the styles and varieties available, how do you decide which Christmas tree is right for you and your family? Let your lifestyle be your guide.

Start with a budget in mind, and do your best to stay in the neighborhood! It helps to keep in mind that artificial trees—while typically more expensive—will provide years of enjoyment whereas a live tree is a one shot deal. Likewise, a fully decorated artificial will probably cost more than a similar bare tree, but may actually provide a better value if you’d have to buy lights and trimmings anyway.

Fraser fir, Scotch pine, Douglas fir … only you can decide, but the staff at your chosen retailer should be able to point out differences in quality for live and artificial Christmas trees they carry. "Lowe’s is committed to making customers’ lives easier by offering a wide selection of high-quality live and artificial trees, as well as providing a wealth of ‘how-to’ information and resources to help them prepare for the holidays," said Patti Price, vice president of merchandising for seasonal living at Lowe’s.

"Experts at each Lowe’s store have helpful tips about how to choose a tree that is just the right size and shape, plus ways to decorate and care for a tree so it will be beautiful throughout the season." For more information on how to select, decorate and care for a Christmas tree, visit any Lowe’s store nationwide or point your web browser to www.Lowes.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center

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