First real christmas tree.. what do I need to know?

[Webbb]

Moved house so can finally have a real tree. 🌲

Unfortunately, it needs to be in front of a radiator but I've googled it (read lots of MN threads) that say it will survive if watered every day.

Choosing from a local place probably 6th/7th Dec. Could maybe do the following weekend if people don't think it'll make it to new years day, when I take it down.

I know I need to saw off the bottom and stand it in a bucket of water outside for a day.

What stand do I need? Where do you get a good stand from? What else do I need to know?

Thank you!

100% this. I don't know how I managed before I got one.

Also, top tip: if you have a duvet cover that is either old and tatty or dark coloured, when you come to take the tree down, put it on the floor with the opening as wide as possible, lift the stripped tree from the stand into the cover, gently pull the cover up till the whole thing is inside, then you can move it outside without it shedding every remaining needle indoors for you to hoover up....

Get a Fraser fir, they smell the best!

Can you get a lodgepole pine? They may not be available locally to you, but you can get them delivered. They are completely indestructible. They last a couple of months, water every fortnight or so, happy by a heater. Drop maybe ten needles over a month. They have longer, soft needles so not prickly (which may be bad if you have cats).

Unwrap outside, we brought one in, and unwrapped it, to find a mouse living inside! Very cute, but a pita to catch!!

Beware that if your house is warm not only will you be surprised by how much water the tree drinks, you may also be surprised at just how many bugs hatch out and fly around your room!

Would you want to consider a rooted one?

We have been using ours for 7 years now. Just carry it out in its pot and stick it in a corner of the garden. Bring it back in to acclimatise beginning of December. Started as a four footer, now five and a half. It's like having a free Christmas tree every year.

Wow, what brilliant and helpful responses, thank you all so so much! Here's what I've learned/have/will do:

...

-Will get a Nordmann, from a farm, will choose one unwrapped, then put on top of a bedsheet in the car

-Have ordered a Krinner stand as suggested

-Will turn down radiator slightly, not too much as it's the only one in the room and I'm a cold person, but will water every day, twice a day first week

-Buy it, cut bottom off, stand in bucket in netting for a few days (maybe a week? Buy on 1st, put up following weekend?)

-Put inside a duvet cover to remove from the house

-Hope and pray no mice or bugs live inside!

For some reason I'm very excited about your first real tree.

Just to re-assure you, in the probably 10 years we have a real tree I've never noticed an issue with creepy crawlies or worse. I've also been very lazy with it and just shoved it in the garden (without water) until we've been ready to have it inside then whacked heating up and forgot to water it. They're pretty hardy things. Have fun!

Thank you, @Normaja! Very reassuring.

Another question!

How many lights do I need for a 6 foot tree please?

(previous fake tree has built in lights, so I've no idea)

I put 1000 on our tree and it’s always 6/7 ft.

But it does depend how bushy it is. I normally get a frasier as they are narrower and smell great.

Make sure your tree lights have black (or dark coloured) wire.

Buy yourself at least one gorgeous and meaningful decoration every year. Ours is an eclectic mix of mementoes, and my mum bought me one every year when I was a child so the oldest is from the 1970s.

I have a rooted potted one which l’ve had for years. It’s now in a larger pot than the one it came with and comes inside each Christmas. The rest of the year, it’s happy in the back garden.

1000! Ok now I know. Dark string, got it.

@BrieHugger we've built up an amazing collection over the years which makes me very happy! We try and buy one with the date on each year too (usually from the Disney store)

Can you have too many lights?