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Your Complete Guide To Choosing The Perfect Christmas Tree
The festive season is upon us, and one of the most exciting traditions is selecting the perfect Christmas tree for your home. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned pro, understanding your options will help you make the best choice for your family. Here's everything you need to know about choosing between the two most popular varieties and getting the size just right.
Spruce vs. Nordmann: Which Tree is Right for You?
The Classic Spruce
The Spruce is your traditional Christmas tree, complete with that iconic conical shape and wonderful pine scent that fills your home with festive fragrance. These trees are shaped at the end of their growth period using a machete knife, giving them their classic appearance.
Timing is key with a Spruce tree. It's recommended to bring it indoors just one week before Christmas, as it will begin to drop its needles once inside. However, there's a clever trick to help combat this: mix full-fat lemonade with water and add it to the stand or pot. This mixture acts like the flower food you get with cut flowers and helps prevent premature needle drop.
The Spruce is versatile and works well outside, in a porch, or indoors, just remember that indoor timing guideline!
The Family-Friendly Nordmann
If you have young children or pets, the Nordmann might be your perfect match. Shaped during its growth period, this tree features softer needles that are both family and pet friendly, no more worrying about prickly fingers or curious paws.
The Nordmann's standout feature is its needle retention. Unlike the Spruce, the needle drop indoors is minimal, meaning you can bring it inside from the beginning of December and enjoy it throughout the entire festive season. In fact, if you move it back outside after Christmas, a Nordmann has been known to last until Easter before the needles drop!
Getting the Size Right
When it comes to size, 175-200 cm is the most popular choice for homes. Trees are measured from the base to the leader (where the branches separate out at the top).
Before you fall in love with a tree, remember two crucial considerations:
You need to get it through your door and into position
You'll need enough height to place a fairy or star on top
Measure your ceiling height and doorways beforehand to avoid any festive frustrations!
A Sustainable Choice
It's worth noting that Christmas tree plantations operate on a 10-year growth cycle and are designed as a crop to have minimal environmental impact. So when you choose a real tree, you're supporting sustainable forestry practices.
Final Thoughts
Whether you opt for the aromatic traditional Spruce or the long-lasting, family-friendly Nordmann, choosing the right Christmas tree comes down to your specific needs and circumstances. Consider your timeline, your household (especially pets and children), and your space, and you'll find the perfect tree to make your Christmas magical.
Happy tree hunting! 🎄
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