December 1st is my most preferred day in the entire year.  This is the day I begin putting up Christmas decorations. 

I love doing this more than almost anything else.  When November rolls around, I start thinking about it and picturing in my mind how I want things to look.  But I exercise self control and will not allow myself to begin decorating until the fist day of December, no matter how badly I want to. 

I got hooked when I was just a child.  Everyone always decorated for Christmas, inside and out.  It made everything seem so cozy and warm and welcoming.  We always went all out with decorations.  It got the whole family involved and it was great fun.  All those memories I’m sure is what makes it so enjoyable still to this day.

In getting ready for Christmas, choosing the Christmas tree is by far the best!  The Christmas tree has to be a real one for me.  It’s just not Christmas without the smell of the tree in the air.

Some people opt for going out and cutting their own Christmas tree.  However, this isn’t something I enjoy.  I tried it one year, but with the cold wet snow and the arguing over which tree and if it would fit in the house was not pleasant.  I opt to choose a precut tree.  There are still a lot of good ones to choose from when taking this route.
 
When choosing your Christmas tree, you’ll want to take a few things into account.

Tip #1- Determine where the tree will be placed in your home and get height and width measurements that you can work with.  This is actually a rather important aspect.  Tree size can be misleading in the big out doors and these measurements will be useful when choosing your tree. 

Tip #2- When choosing a tree, check for dryness.  Some trees have been cut for a while and not watered properly after harvesting.  All types of evergreens lose some needles, but if tree needles seem brittle and fall off easily, keep looking.  A freshly cut tree in good condition will have needles that easily bend.  This will be important when hanging ornaments on your tree.

Tip #3- Once home, firmly secure the tree in a stand, suitable for its size.  Place it in the appropriate room and water it.  Watering the tree regularly will keep it moist and fresh through the Christmas season.

Tip #4- When decorating the Christmas tree, make sure all the decorations and lights are in good condition so as not to pose a safety hazard.

Most importantly, keep the true spirit of Christmas and don’t let the hustle and bustle mess up the fun.