If you have a real tree up already...

[HaHaHmm]

...do you have any tips for keeping it going until Twelfth Night?

We wouldn't normally put ours up until about the 16th, but for various reasons we might need to put it up earlier this year...

[LapinR0se]

yes we put ours up early as I’m having a baby soon and wanted to get everything christmassy sorted well in advance.
We’re just watering it every day, hopefully it will last until at least the 25th!

[NewtsSuitcase]

Actually in lots of places the trees are likely to last longer if you get them up earlier and get them into water. They're all cut in bulk and transported to where they need to be. Some suppliers will keep them in water but plenty don't.

[Sillybillypoopoomummy]

just water it lots - ours is drinking about 1.5litres a day! (also had to put ours up early for various reasons...)

[superfab]

I (think) I did hear they have to acclimatise... so maybe move somewhere semi warm for the first week or two before you put in the warm living room? I could be wrong though...

[HaHaHmm]

Good point about getting it in water early. My main concern is that the only place it can really go in the living room is next to the radiator. Masses of water would help though - I don't think we've ever given as much as you describe, Silly.

It absolutely has to make it to 6th Jan. Our options are basically to get one and put it up in the next few days or wait until the 24th - when the best trees will be long gone!

[Nearlyadoctor]

How about getting in now and keeping it the garage/ shed in a big bucket of water until the 24th.

[soberexpat]

saw about an inch off the bottom. put it in one of the holders with space for water. ours lasts dec 2nd - jan 6th every year. as others have said, they are thirsty - lots of water!

[Howmanysleepstilchristmas]

Buy from a tree farm. Ones from garden centres/ supermarkets etc are often cut down in August or September or earlier, stored then delivered to stores in December. Home grown ones are much more recently harvested, so last longer. We get ours late November and they hardly seem to drop. Last years stayed green til I got around to getting rid of it in late February!

[Phosphorus]

We always get a real tree (non drop) on the last weekend in November.

It comes down on January 6th and still looks great. No watering or anything.

The needle drop types suffer more.

[Cleebope2]

Try to keep the room not too warm and lots of water and buy an expensive one!