First ever real tree

[Confuzzlediddled]

So, as per the title, at the grand old age of 45 I've ordered a real tree this year!

Grew up with artificial and that's what I've had myself for the last 25 years, we need a new tree and so this year we're having a real one, as we're nicely settled in a new home which has a fireplace and it's going to look lovely!

What do I need to know? What is the best type of stand? Do I need to switch off the radiator at that end of the room? Do I need to saw bits off? That will be fun, I'm disabled and I live in a house full of dyspraxics!

Please educate me, before I chicken out and cancel the order

We would just get a big pot and fill it with bricks to balance the tree. I think we also had a tree stand thing. Haven’t had a real one in years. It does get quite messy with the needles. Don’t think you need to switch the radiator off

You need a stand that holds water and appropriate for the height of tree. Miost have a few screws that tightened into the tree to keep it upright - tricky job if you have limited mobility; if you've ordered your tree will they put it up for a fee?
You do not want it near a heat source, but it can be in a heated room. Top it up daily. If it's fresh no need to cut the bottom. Hopefully you ordered a low needle drop tree like a Nordman Fir.

Congratulations!! 49 here and never had a fake one!!
All my dc on leaving home were impressed upon to follow with tradition!!
Even the bah humbug ds gets one!!
We do lower the radiator in the front room. And get a proper stand. £10 or less.
Water daily with sugared water.
Take in inside the net. Take out wrapped in a sheet.
Enjoy!!

We never use a stand as the water receptacles are always tiny and they need a lot of water (think how much your cut flowers need). So we use a big bucket, put the tree in then fill with gravel to stabilise. Then we tie the top of the tree to a beam you could just fix a hook) in the ceiling with a ribbon to stabilise it. Then we use a tree skirt to hide the bucket. Keep watering it. Also don't put it remotely near your fire (massive fire risk due to the oils in the needles) and turn off any radiators near it as they can dry out and drop. We've also got a little 4ft one that we bring in from outside every year and put it in the dining room, so if you don't want a big one you can make one last several years (and don't need to faff around with gravel!)

I like the idea of sugaring the water - going to steal that tip for this year!

We don’t use a skirt - I just wrap nice Christmassy paper round the bucket.