Christmas is right around the corner, and the staff here at Rydell Cadillac of Grand Forks is excited for the opportunity to spread holiday joy. One of our favorite holiday traditions is shopping for our annual Christmas tree. We’ve taken everything we’ve learned through the years and put together this guide to help you get the most out of your Christmas tree farm experience. Although shopping for your Christmas tree can be a fun experience, if you’ve never done it before, it may also feel overwhelming. The good news is that shopping for your next Christmas tree doesn’t have to be stressful. Keep these tips in mind and you can have all the fun with none of the worries:
Find the Right Farm
The first step in any Christmas tree hunt is finding the right farm to shop at. As a proud member of the Grand Forks community, we highly recommend visiting the Ring Family Ranch for your Christmas tree needs. They have an excellent selection of trees to choose from and by shopping locally in nearby Thompson, you help support the Grand Forks County community.
Clear Out Before You Go
Heading out the door to buy your next Christmas tree is exciting, but it’s important not to get ahead of yourself. Before you drive to the farm to find your tree, take time to clear out the space for it in advance. This allows you to bring your tree directly inside when you get home, without the need to clean up. This minimizes how long your tree remains wrapped and allows it to spread to its full size more easily.
Get Out Early
There’s no such thing as being too late to get and decorate a Christmas tree, but that doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute. Shopping for your Christmas tree early isn’t only about maximizing how long you get to enjoy it before the big day. Most Christmas tree farms make their trees available in yearly groups, so the earlier you get to the farm, the higher number of trees available for you to choose from. This increases your chances of finding a tree that is just right for your needs and tastes.
Bring Your Own Saw
Most Christmas tree farms provide saws for you to use but it can be beneficial to bring your own. This allows you to know the quality of the saw you are using to avoid any frustration from a dull set of teeth. This also ensures that the saw you use has only been in your possession, as opposed to sharing a saw which others have used, which is a good practice for hygienic purposes.
Don’t Forget a Tarp
If you’re planning to load your Christmas tree onto the top of your car after you cut it, make sure that you bring a tarp or blanket with you. Laying down a tarp underneath your tree helps you protect your vehicle from any scratches or nicks from the needles and branches of the tree. It can also make it easier to unload and carry the tree inside, as you and your helpers can hold the edges of the tarp to carry the tree, as opposed to trying to carry it by the branches.
Know Your Space
There’s no such thing as finding the best Christmas tree, as the perfect Christmas tree for your home may not be the perfect Christmas tree for another. Instead, it’s important to find the tree on the lot which you feel best fits within your space and with your taste. Knowing how much room you have, both vertically and horizontally, allows you to plan more effectively at the Christmas tree farm and find your best option.
See It From All Sides
Another important consideration that learning about the space for your tree provides is understanding the directions from which you and others will see it. While the tree may look great from the front, if you intend to place it in a location where you and others may view it from all sides, it’s important to walk around the tree and examine it from all sides. This ensures there are no spots with a surprising lack of needle coverage.
Do the Shake Test
One of the most important considerations when shopping for your Christmas tree is how fresh it is. A fresher tree will last longer, allowing you to enjoy the holiday season more fully. A simple way to test the condition of a tree is to shake one of its branches and check for falling needles. Although some falling is normal, if it drops a significant amount of needles, this may mean the tree is drying out and may not look its best by the time Christmas arrives.
Bend a Branch
Another effective way to check the freshness of your potential Christmas tree is to bend one of the branches. A lively tree can bend somewhat without breaking. A tree with brittle branches which break as soon as you apply pressure may be a sign that the tree is dying and is no longer fresh, and you may be better suited to finding a different option.
Recut the Trunk
Not every Christmas tree shopping adventure needs to end with cutting your own tree. Shopping for a pre-cut tree can be an excellent way to find a Christmas tree quickly and affordably. When doing so, ask about the option to have the bottom of the tree re-cut, or consider doing so yourself before placing it into your tree stand. A fresh cut on the base of your tree can help it absorb water and nutrients more effectively when in its stand, helping it last longer.
As Grand Forks’ #1 new and used car dealership, Rydell Cadillac of Grand Forks loves our opportunities to share our advice with the Grand Forks community. What do you think of our guide to Christmas tree shopping? Are there any important tips we missed out on? You can let us know in the comments or contact us about it. And remember, if you have any automotive needs this holiday season, make sure to stop by Rydell Cadillac of Grand Forks to see how we can help.
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