Measure the height of your ceiling. Don't forget to account for the height of your tree stand, tree topper and the area in which you plan to put your tree.

Choose a tree with a shape that fits where you will be placing it in your home. Some people prefer short fat trees, others long, skinny trees, still others prefer the "perfect" cone shaped tree. Whatever your preference it alway saves a lot of time and aggravation by making sure ahead of time that the will fit!

Check tree for freshness and make sure that the tree has a fresh cut in the trunk of at least 1".
Get the tree into water as soon as possible after the fresh cut. Otherwise the trunk will scab over, and prevent the tree from absorbing water to maintain freshness through out the holiday season. Continue to give the tree as much water as it needs. A tree will absorb as much as a gallon of water or more in the 24 hours after it is cut, and one or more quarts everyday after. Maintaining a steady water level prevents the needles from drying out and dropping off. Water will also keep the tree fragrant. Do not allow the water pan to empty or go below the tree base

Limbs should be strong enough to hold ornaments and strings of lights and be sure to keep trees away from sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). This can discolor your tree and shorten its lifespan, and it can also be extremely dangerous.

VERY IMPORTANT - Turn off tree lights when you go to bed or leave the house. Use only UL-approved electrical decorations and extension cords, and check to be sure no cords have frayed since you last used the lights. Never burn a tree in a fire place or wood stove. Pine trees have a lot of sap which can flash and cause a chimney or house fire. Safety First!

The plant we know today as the poinsettia has a very interesting history. Native to Central America and Southern Mexico. The Aztecs used the plant for decorative and practical uses. The poinsettia may have remained a regional plant had it not been for the efforts of Joel Roberts Poinsett. The son of a French physician, Poinsett was appointed as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico (1825-1829) by President Madison. Poinsett had attended medical school but his real interest was in the field of botany. (Mr. Poinsett later founded the institution which we know today as the Smithsonian Institution).