Christmas lessons learned...

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Warm_in_NH

Warm_in_NH

Minister of Fire
Dec 17, 2013
1,193
central NH or N.E. CT.
1. While a Blue Spruce really looks nice and gets many compliments once it's decorated and set up, it is like wrestling with a porcupine. By time the lights were on it, my hands had about 200 pin pricks each and were puffed out and bright red. I know, glove, ever try putting lights on neatly with gloves, doesn't work. Sap, lots of sap from a Blue Spruce, learn from my mistake, go with something different. Suggestions?

2. If there's a bare spot or "hole" in the foliage of the tree, save the tree trimmings (if you're as neurotic as I am, you buy an oversize tree and trim it to shape and size) find a trimmed branch that fills the void, drill a hole in the trunk of the tree, widdle the end of the branch, insert into trunk, no more hole.

3. Use rolled up newspaper or cardboard tubes to wrap strings of lights around when putting them away. they neatly unroll next year.

4. When debating whether or not to host the scheduled party you have planned for the day once you realize your Rottweiler is very ill and expelling liquids from both ends, don't host the party. As inconvenient as it may be to cancel, the combination of a big sick dog and a house full of guests is much more inconvenient.

Anyone else have any holiday wisdom to share?
 
How I decorated this year.
Bring down decorations from the attic.
Have kiddos spend the day with a babysitter that loves to decorate for Christmas.
Come home to a decorated house.
Put boxes back in the attic.
 
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We always get a grand fir. It's the best smelling tree for sure and very soft needles.
 
Warm_in_NH said:
1. While a Blue Spruce really looks nice and gets many compliments once it's decorated and set up, it is like wrestling with a porcupine. By time the lights were on it, my hands had about 200 pin pricks each and were puffed out and bright red. I know, glove, ever try putting lights on neatly with gloves, doesn't work. Sap, lots of sap from a Blue Spruce, learn from my mistake, go with something different. Suggestions?
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Growing up, my parents always had two trees, both blue spruce. My job was installing / removing lights on both, so I know your pain well.

At my own house, we've pretty much stuck with doug fir. They're full, nice smell, branches reasonably strong for hanging ornaments, and much easier on the hands.
 
When we go tree cutting, we don't pay as much attention to the variety but try to find a tree with appropriate height, size, shape. The biggest criteria is that it will not survive in it's present location anyway - highway right of way, under power or phone lines. All requirements can be found close to home and free:) The tree hunt and retrieval is all part of the family tradition. Can get interesting depending on the vehicle available... Chev Spark was the vehicle left for the kids so they had it hanging out the back while holding the trunk from inside. Lucky it was less than 1/2 mile from home;lol

As to needles, take advantage of the direction of growth and it will be less painful...

Edit: Fill the bare spots with unique ornaments ... I have some glass blown ones that are long so they need the gap to hang properly. Those types of spots used to accommodate the antique ornaments but many broke when the tree wasn't tied off secure one year:(
 
As a Christmas tree farmer I feel obligated to respond. We grow Balsam Fir exclusively as they are a very full, strong tree with very soft needles. Blue Spruce are awful to have touch your skin. We tried a few and cut them down before they reached mature height. Can't help regarding the empty spots in the tree. If a tree is sheered properly it should be very full with no bare spots. I see you are in NH, we are in the seacoast area. Not a plug for our farm, but just means you should have no problem finding that variety of tree in your area.
 
Warm_in_NH said:
Anyone else have any holiday wisdom to share?
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We bought a quality faux ( :) ) tree. You heard me right...fake tree! I have to say I love it. No needles, no water, fireproof... Those real trees just can't wait to give you a good jab or spill a half gallon of sugary water all over your floor as revenge. And they've made great strides in scented ornaments these days as well. Put back in the attic yesterday, didn't even have to vacuum.
 
Usually had the fake trees growing up. Left the lights right on them, simple. Didn't do a tree at all for years, then since I go married, we've gotten back into the tree thing. To me, it's part of the holiday ritual, going to the tree lot on a cold day or evening, maybe a 50 gallon drum burning, some white lights strung up, all that BS that helps me get into the holiday spirit.
This year we celebrated at the house in CT (here in NH I have 2 tree farms within a mile of my house). We set out to find a tree two weeks before Christmas. Drove up and down all the roads in town, no trees, drove to a couple surrounding towns, no trees, said screw it, we'll just go to the box store and grab one, sold out. Now as this is going on, my temper is wearing thin, wife was of little use for suggestions even though it is her home town, so we drove some more. As we crossed the state line into Mass and I swung into a pull off to turn around, my wife noticed a small sign for a tree farm directly across the street. We pulled in, there were two trees left, or we could cut our own, but note the earlier part of running out of patience so that wasn't happening. I should've made note that it wasn't that cold out but the old timer running the place had on multiple flannel shirts and thick leather gloves, but I quickly learned why when we got home.
It was just as painful taking it down, at least it was very fresh and left few needles on the ground, however, they were still firm enough to put hundreds more holes in my hands taking the lights back off. Can't wait to throw it on the outdoor fire pit and get my revenge.
 
jatoxico said:
We bought a quality faux ( :) ) tree. You heard me right...fake tree! I have to say I love it. No needles, no water, fireproof... Those real trees just can't wait to give you a good jab or spill a half gallon of sugary water all over your floor as revenge. And they've made great strides in scented ornaments these days as well. Put back in the attic yesterday, didn't even have to vacuum.
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What does one do when the lights start burning out in a few years? They look hard to replace.

For soft needles get a douglas or grand fir. No gloves needed.
 
Warm_in_NH said:
To me, it's part of the holiday ritual, going to the tree lot on a cold day or evening, maybe a 50 gallon drum burning, some white lights strung up, all that BS that helps me get into the holiday spirit.
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Warm_in_NH said:
Now as this is going on, my temper is wearing thin
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:)

begreen said:
What does one do when the lights start burning out in a few years? They look hard to replace.
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I don't have one of those pre-lighted trees. I'm doing like everyone else, buying sets of lights every couple years as the strings go. I have my ritual too. Get a nice beer or a brandy and go to the attic and bring down the tree. Ahhh, the spirit of Christmas just wash over me.
 
fake prelit tree here, setup and teardown easy as pie. Had it over 5 yrs not a single light has burnt out yet!!!
With cats and a dog I'd rather not do the real tree thing, plus I grew up in a house that always had a fake treee so it doesnt bother me in the least.
I anyone in my family want the real cutting wood expierience they can come by and help me split and stack!
 
Some things aren't supposed to be quick or easy... like spending time with your family hunting for a Christmas tree!
 
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or sitting with family by the fire having a stiff drink instead!
 
Or decorating said tree with the not so little kiddies anymore while the Christmas music is playing. To each his own no?
 
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jatoxico said:
Or decorating said tree with the not so little kiddies anymore while the Christmas music is playing. To each his own no?
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Of course, but I do have fond memories of trekking thru the woods while hunting trees with my parents. I hope someday my kids will say the same.
 
jatoxico said:
We bought a quality faux ( :) ) tree. You heard me right...fake tree! I have to say I love it. No needles, no water, fireproof... Those real trees just can't wait to give you a good jab or spill a half gallon of sugary water all over your floor as revenge. And they've made great strides in scented ornaments these days as well. Put back in the attic yesterday, didn't even have to vacuum.
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It may be a bit finicky on my part, but most likely the artificial tree you purchased was fire resistant, not fire proof. Most artificial trees are labeled to be fire resistant, but not all . . . and even then they too can catch on fire since typically the materials they are made out of can ignite.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/12/21/artificial-christmas-trees-can-be-a-fire-hazard/
 
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Adios Pantalones said:
We didn't decorate at all this year. It took no time. Clean up was a sinch. We stll had an amazing holiday
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Same here . . . then again we haven't really decorated for years or done much in the way of traditional celebrations . . . a few years back we even stopped giving and receiving gifts . . . preferring instead to focus on what was most important to us in terms of celebrating the holiday. Getting together with some friends was a highlight for the season.
 
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firefighterjake said:
It may be a bit finicky on my part, but most likely the artificial tree you purchased was fire resistant, not fire proof
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I'm sure you're right, I didn't choose my words too carefully. Guess the idea is that it's better than a dried up dead pine. I was mostly kidding in that post but didn't want to kid much about that since it's a serious subject.
 
jatoxico said:
I'm sure you're right, I didn't choose my words too carefully. Guess the idea is that it's better than a dried up dead pine. I was mostly kidding in that post but didn't want to kid much about that since it's a serious subject.
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It's a common mistake anyways . . . much like folks who are constantly talking to me about their "carbon dioxide" detectors in their house . . . which I know is most likely a carbon monoxide detector . . . a small, but nonetheless common mistake.

And yes . . . dried up "live" or "real" Christmas trees are a legitimate fire safety concern . . . a well watered Christmas tree on the other hand can be quite difficult to ignite . . . even with a propane plumber's torch . . . on live TV. Just saying . . . ;)
 
firefighterjake said:
Same here . . . then again we haven't really decorated for years or done much in the way of traditional celebrations . . . a few years back we even stopped giving and receiving gifts . . . preferring instead to focus on what was most important to us in terms of celebrating the holiday. Getting together with some friends was a highlight for the season.
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We haven't stopped buying for each other, but it's been pared way back. It's funny, but with my wife's travel schedule we and up moving holidays/anniversary celebrations around a bit- it's really not a thing. The day on the calendar isn't the focus either :)
 
Adios Pantalones said:
We haven't stopped buying for each other, but it's been pared way back. It's funny, but with my wife's travel schedule we and up moving holidays/anniversary celebrations around a bit- it's really not a thing. The day on the calendar isn't the focus either :)
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Same here . . . I always have the day off, but as a nurse my wife is always working holidays and/or sleeping through them due to work the night before or to get ready for the next night.
 
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The whole house was sick the week of Christmas. Christmas Eve, I went to a local tree farm that was closed,,except for the few trees left. I got a gorgeous douglas fir for $30. Half price. Love it. I'm keeping it up till the needles fall off. :)
 
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