Real Xmas Tree advice.

[**streety**]

For the first time ever, I've got ourselves a real tree!   About 6 to 7 ft.  It's lovely.

It's in its proper pot with some water in the corner of our front room.  I'm wondering if I've bought it too early.  Apart from keeping the water topped up I would welcome any other advice 🙂

[aernethril]

Essentially, it doesn't matter when you buy your Xmas tree as it's already been cut, so leaving it later doesn't make any difference.

So once you have bought it and you want to put it up, you should cut about 2 inches off the base and then put it into a water contained holder as you've done.

It's probably not the best to have it near the radiator, but if that's the only place you have, then there's not a lot you can do about it.

Keep it topped up with water and just sit back and admire your creativity - and very lovely it is too.

[aernethril]

Add your pic to this thread too - it's a very worthy addition

http://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Family-Home-and-Garden/Christmas-trees/m-p/2365888#U2365888

[**forum-decorum**]

Streety,

When it does start to drop it's needles you will be finding them for weeks and weeks after, imbeded in your carpet. If I were you I would put something down under the tree to catch the needles, they can be extremely annoying especially if you have little ones and animals running around.

OH has decided he is not going to put one up this year, I am fine with that.

[aernethril]

Something like this???

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331045849915?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[**streety**]

Thank you.  
I intend to hoover regularly!   Luckily we dont tend to have the radiator on for too long.   I usually plug in a halogen heater at the other end of the room if we need it.

I was put off getting one after the one at work creates a carpet cm's deep of needles every day, but they are so nice and when we went to get out our 4ft fake, my heart sunk.   It was lovely in our flat but here it looked rather pathetic and as we had a **bleep** xmas last year I wanted to make this one a bit more special for the kids, so we went for it.  This one was a lot cheaper than I expected too which was a bonus.

[merc1_clocks]

 It looks beautiful streety

[ilove2patch]

It does look lovely. I got some needle drop spray years ago when I used to buy real trees. It wasn't very good though. I am sure it will be fine if you keep the atmosphere damp underneath it.

[chickengrandma-2008]

About 20 years ago I had a real tree, with roots and we planted it in a bucket of soil.  Each day I'd give it a little water (it was difficult to get near it as all the presents around the bottom stuck out about 6ft all round)  The tree still looked good on Christmas day and we all gathered round to hand out the presents.  All was fine until we got to the bottom layer of gifts.  The paper felt a bit damp and the gifts inside were mouldy!!  As was the carpet!!  There must have been a hole in the bucket!!        

[cookiecookuk]

my only advice from past experience get an old table cloth /quilt cover or something simalar and place it under the tree now and after christmas pull most of the needles of onto the cloth before you attempt to take it outside then roll the sheet up and put it straight in the bin other wise the tree  will drop needles every inch between where it is now and outside..

i love real trees but they are a pain

[captainbovine]

aaawww Streety, that looks fab!! I just love your fairy, she's gorjus! have you had it a long time?

I just can't seem to find a nice looking fairy, so I'd rather go for a jolly one.

[**streety**]

Its an xmas Elf Captain.   I tend to find my decorations at christmas markets throughout the years.  Some of them are ones the kids have made.
The Kids always decorate the tree themselves, all I did was put the lights on for them. 
I must say they do a good job

[captainbovine]

they do, and the elf is so cute!!

this year I have a small angel with fluff around the bottom of her frock, and on the very top a gold star. Next year I'll look for something better.