The Christmas season is right at our doorstep, which has us gearing up for all of our favorite holiday routines and traditions. I’ll get the string lights on the house while the weather is still mild, plan all of the new recipes I want to try, organize decor, and prepare to go-go-go until 2017 (which is when I intend to pause, wrap myself in something warm and woven, and catch up on some good reads). Getting the tree and dressing it up is usually our first task of the holiday season, and I’m here to share some safety recommendations that will help you keep your tree on the up-and-up (literally), as well as some ideas for decorating it in style.

How to Choose the Right Tree Stand

The base that holds your Christmas tree upright is one of the most critical items to own. A wide base is important for stability, and the wider the better. I prefer a round disc-like stand versus a model with individual legs. 

The volume of water that the stand can hold is important to consider too. You’ll be adding water on a near-daily basis, so many manufacturers make this chore easier by molding an easy-access spout into the tree stand – you can monitor water level and pour water directly to the trunk with fewer chance of spills.

Lastly, be sure that the bolts that hold the tree in position are easy to maneuver; when you’re laying on your stomach under pokey branches trying to evenly twist the fasteners, you’ll thank yourself for splurging on an ergonomic, easy to twist design.

Protect the Floors

A tree skirt isn’t only decorative, a means to disguise the stand. A tree skirt that extends the full diameter of your tree will also protect the carpet or floor below from fallen needles and sap drips. To prevent your floors from spilled (or leaked) water from the tree stand, it’s always a good idea to place the stand in a large, opened plastic garbage bag, which remains bunched around the stand. 

How to Prevent the Tree From Tipping

Even if you think you secured your tree is perfectly vertical, monitor how the tree settles in its first few days in the stand, and as you add the weight of ornaments. If you’re seeing the tree angling outward into the room, take measures to correct it. We have young kids in the house but we don’t block off access to the tree entirely, however we do add a small wedge under the stand to angle the tree ever so slightly back into a corner, so that if a branch gets pulled, it’s not likely to crash on anyone (my husband and I test it by tugging on branches ourselves). If the tree tips under the weight of the ornaments, it’s also good insurance to have the tree tip backwards into a corner, where it can be cradled until you tend to it.

For very tall trees, consider stabilizing with hardware, such as a fishing line wrapped around the trunk of the tree, which is then anchored to an eye hook installed in the drywall. 

How to Make the Pine Needles Last Longer

The most essential steps to a long-lasting Christmas tree includes cutting the lower 1-2” of trunk when you bring it home, and never letting the tree stand run dry. Hydration is key, and trimming the end of the trunk improves the tree’s ability to consume water.

Avoid placing the tree near a heat source. The heat will speed up the drying of the branches and cause the tree to drop its needles at a faster pace. 

Supplements may help extend the life of your tree too, although as far as I know there’s no evidence that soda water, aspirin, or corn syrup do anything to extend the tree’s life. Miracle-Gro does have a preservative that claims to support tree longevity, and it’s cheap, priced at just a few dollars at most gardening shops.

Prevent Broken Ornaments

Many ornaments – even heavy ones – come with string loops as hooks. Prevent fragile ornaments and ornaments that weight down branches from sliding off and breaking by attaching them securely using wire. Metal ornament hooks are usually flexible enough to wrap in a tight loop around the branch, and if you need extra support, trim a length of florist wire to lock that ornament right onto the tree.

And Don’t Skimp Out Now: Choose the Perfect Theme For Your Tree

Decide on a theme, and change it up year after year if you want. Go monochromatic, classic, vintage, or load it up with all of the crafty, handmade ornaments that you can dream up. Check out DIY Network's page filled with everything Christmas for more ideas that you'll love.