The Christmas tree

Which tree to choose?

Spruce, the most fragrant. It is the traditional tree of Christmas. Its strong point: its price (the cheapest) its intense fragrance and natural sound. Its weak point: its fragility: it “fades” quickly and has a short lifespan: 15 days max, especially if it is installed in a well heated room. Its thorns are fine, sharp and easily prick the little hands that install the garlands. If you choose a spruce top, keep your children waiting to buy it

Nordman, the most resistant. He moves handsome, sturdy, well supplied and its success grows from season to season. The Nordman holds a month or more and you can get rid of it after the holidays. Its thorns are wide and well attached to the stem. They are also slightly rounded at their end and do not sting. The only criticism we can make is that it doesn’t have that good smell of wood.

Nobilis, the most luxurious. As supplied as the Nordman, the Nobilis has this beautiful gray-blue-silver color and a very pleasant lemony scent. Like his cousin, his thorns are stubborn and he resists better than a spruce top.

Flocked, the most colorful.Covered with artificial snow white or colored, it is very resistant, can even be kept from one year to the next, but it is also artificial. Many children and adults prefer a real tree, simply green.

Christmas tree: how not to go wrong

A beautiful fir is a fir cut as late as possible : you can check this by examining his foot at the cup which should be damp and not very sticky. Also do the following test by sliding your fingers on the stem: if too many thorns fall, the tree is already old (some have been kept for a few weeks in the warehouse). In the House, keep it away from heat sources and spray its branches regularly.

How much does a Christmas tree cost?

They are variables depending on their origin and size (up to 4 meters), from cheaper, spruce (from 10 euros per meter) at more expensive, the Nobilis. The range is generally between 15 and 200 euros, or even more if you have it delivered and installed.

How to decorate the Christmas tree?

First option, you buy ready-made decorations : at Truffaut, Ikea, Loisirs et Créations, in toy stores, Christmas markets… and of course in supermarkets. Second option, you make them yourself with your children, by organizing little Christmas crafts, they’ll love it! For example, you can paint pine cones, make papier-mâché balls, paper garlands, or make gingerbread figures, it won’t cost you much and you will spend have a good time with your little ones.

Also know that the more loaded and kitsch it is, the more the branches collapse under the garlands and Christmas balls, the happier the children are. Forget the idea of ​​a designer or monochrome tree that only pleases parents and let them decorate it as they wish.

A tree bag?

He moves practical, decorative (gold colored) and charitable since for any purchase of a Christmas tree bag sold for 5 euros (recommended price), 1,30 euros is donated to Handicap International. Another advantage is that it cleanly wraps your tree so that it can be thrown away. What’s more, it is biodegradable. You will find it in all supermarkets, florists.

Christmas tree: beware of the risk of fire

30 seconds is enough for a tree to ignite. To avoid this, make sure your tree is stable and keep it away from heat sources. Buy garlands that comply with the NF standard and check that the bulbs are properly screwed in, thatno electric wire is stripped. Connect the sockets to a power strip and do notkeep your tree lit when you are away. (www.attentionaufeu.fr)