My Christmas Tree

The picture above is of my Christmas tree.  If you can tell I was sitting on the couch, with my Pug on my lap.  Her name is Martini and she was enjoying looking at the tree with her mommy.  It was a very special moment and I absolutely adore my Christmas tree this year!  Here are a few ideas for my perfect Christmas tree:

• Personally, I prefer colored lights.  I love white lights used outside, but on a Christmas tree I just have to have colored.  This year we purchased LED lights, and ended up having to buy several boxes to make it go evenly over the entire tree, from top to bottom.
• The tree we have was purchased at Target.  It was the most expensive tree we have ever purchased, as I believe it was around $100 on sale.  I believe it is 7 feet tall and very thick!  It is definitely the most beautiful tree we have ever had, and we plan to use it for several years to come.
• Unfortunately we had to purchase a fake one.  As we have three dogs and one cat, that all live indoors, we couldn’t risk all the potential issues that could arise from having a life tree
• We love lots of ornaments!  We have several collections of balls – colored, glass, glittered and so on, most of them from Target.  Different shapes and sizes to create visual interest.  Another great place to pick up ornaments is Hobby Lobby – they usually have 50% off sales and have a WONDERFUL assortment of ornaments.
• We also have about 10 Hallmark ornaments.  I just love Hallmark ornaments!  My mother in law starting giving us one a year since we got married, and we also exchange some between ourselves.  We have everything from the leg lamp for A Christmas Story to a beautiful gold key that says “Our First Home” that we received the year we bought our home.

Garden accents for the holidays

(ARA) – As autumn fades and winter draws near, homes begin to reflect the approaching holiday season. For many of us, the cooler weather also signifies a lifestyle change.

In the south, cooler temperatures make this a great time of year for gardening and outdoor entertaining. For northerners, winter brings snow sports and indoor activities. Regardless of your region, you can decorate for the approaching holidays by bringing the beauty of the outdoors in. Use natural elements from the yard and garden to create a festive decor to not only recycle nature’s bounty, but also perk up your home for winter entertaining.

Outside:
In the north, annuals and perennials are done for the year. But, there are still plenty of other ways to add color and interest to an outdoor space. After removing all the remains of the summer flowers, take a long look at the remaining landscape and add focal points.

Is the front door the main area of interest? Feature a lovely evergreen with a light dusting of snow. Solar landscaping lights in containers work great next to the front door with a spot light angled to accent that beautiful tree. Want the apartment balcony to express a festive spirit? Set the mood and accent the desired focal points by incorporating other creative lighting. Try a string of festive lights across the balcony and evergreens in decorative pots.

Live evergreens of every size and shape are abundantly available in most areas at this time of year. You can easily plant them in yards in warmer regions, or pop them into a container to be placed on the front steps or along the walkway to welcome guests.

Many types of these evergreens are available in most home improvement stores nationwide. Add your own lights for a personal touch. Create your own topiary form by using chicken wire to structure a simple cone shape. Then, simply tuck in some moss or a few branches of greenery. Ask for some discarded branches that have been trimmed from Christmas trees at the local nursery or tree farm. Place your topiary in a large pot and wrap with twinkle lights to welcome guests to the front door. Come spring, transplant these trees in the yard with Miracle-Gro Garden Soil.

Inside:
Invite guests with fragrances of the season with well-placed potpourri or bits of cut evergreens. Pair the freshly cut boughs of evergreen with holly to accentuate the celebratory atmosphere of the season. Wire them together to make a garland with florist wire or tape. Then, place on the mantle, hang over the banister or use as a centerpiece for a table. Incorporate fruit such as apples, oranges, lemons, limes or pomegranates into garlands or floral arrangements for a fresh, fruity twist.

Use elements from nature that are unexpected for a splash of creativity. Dried flowers can simply be tucked into the boughs of a Christmas tree for an extra pop of festivity. Nuts are for more than just snacking; add them to the decorating mix for a surprise. Drill holes through acorns, walnuts or pecans and string them into a woodsy garland. Do not forget to use potted plants for decorating as well. Small live herbs trimmed in topiary forms can easily add a festive feel and fragrance to your home. Potted plants also make great hostess gifts and provide a beautiful bloom all year long.

This holiday season, do not leave the beauty of the garden outside. Welcome guests indoors with bits of the outdoors as fabulous decor.

Putting the 'art' in artificial Christmas trees

(NC)—Artificial Christmas trees have come a long way in recent years. The holiday décor experts at Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse recommend considering a variety of technologies and trends available today when selecting a tree that suits your personal needs and tastes.

Lights:

Whether they are multi-coloured, white or twinkling, the options for creating different looks with lights are endless. Try some of the new options that save time while decorating, such as a pre-lit tree that comes with the lights already strung, or the one-plug tree which lights the entire tree with one pole-to-pole electrical connection – eliminating the need to search for electrical plugs in each section of the tree  

Shape:

Trees today can be narrow, full, tall or short and accommodate different size spaces and ceiling heights. Remember to consider the height of the tree with a tree stand and topper on when selecting the tree that meets your room requirements. Self-shaping trees are also a great option, as they’re ready to go out of the box and maintain a full and realistic look, allowing for more time spent decorating.

Style: 

While traditional Christmas trees continue to be popular, those looking to step outside the box have options with the assortment of spiral, topiary and berry-adorned trees available. Trees today also come in different colours and branches are made of different materials, providing options for textures and overall look.

Once selecting your tree, drop by your local Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse for a full assortment of holiday décor, including unique ornaments, toppers, stockings, tree skirts and more.

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Unfortunately QBE Regional companies General Casualty and Unigard often see an increase in fire claims during the holiday season. Property insurance experts Cindy Woodford and Jon Farris have several tips for homeowners that can help prevent a fire from ruining your festivities.

Trimming the tree
Last year more than 33 million American homes included a natural Christmas tree during the holidays and these same trees account for hundreds of fires annually, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. For example, one Unigard policyholder plugged five strings of lights into a single outlet; the resulting Christmas tree fire caused nearly $300,000 in damage.

Typically shorts in electric lights or open flames from candles or matches start the fires. Farris, homeowners assistant vice president for General Casualty, notes that if your tree is fresh and well watered and hasn’t dried out, the chances of a fire are much slimmer. A fire-resistant artificial tree is an even safer choice.

“It can be hard to tell just how old a pre-cut tree is. On a fresh tree, the needles should be hard to pull out or break, and they shouldn’t fall out when you shake it. The trunk butt should also be sticky from resin when you touch it,” says Farris.

He also advises cutting about two inches off the bottom of the trunk to help it absorb water. Most importantly, water the tree daily to keep it green longer. Placing the tree at least three feet away from heat sources like a fireplace or heat register is also recommended.

Candles
Candle fires peak during the holiday season. Many fires start when a burning candle is left unattended or placed too close to combustible decorations, like greenery or wrapping paper.

To help reduce the threat of a candle fire, Woodford, homeowners vice president for Unigard and QBE Regional insurance companies, advises keeping candles at least one foot away from other materials. Only place them in holders that are nonflammable and heat-resistant.

Also keep candles out of the bedroom. Forty percent of fires start in bedrooms, often when the flame ignites bedding or mattresses, says consumerreports.org.

The chemicals used to produce candles and wicks can also affect your health. A small percentage of wicks in older candles may contain lead. These wicks emit lead into the air when burning, increasing the risk of lead poisoning. This threat is even greater in children, and even low levels of exposures can be dangerous over time. Other petroleum chemicals used in candle wax can also cause adverse health reactions.

If you have older holiday candles among your collection of holiday decor, check the wicks for lead. Inspect the wick for a metal-core in the center or contact the manufacturer. Don’t burn the candle if you suspect the wick is lead. Soy candles are another alternative to paraffin or petroleum-based candles and have fewer health effects and are better for the environment.

Lighting up the house
Whether they flash, blink, twinkle or just shine, holiday lights are another common cause of holiday fires. To reduce the chances of an electrical fire, only use lights that have been tested for safety and contain the label of an independent testing laboratory, such as the Underwriters Laboratories. Inspect old lights for cracks, broken sockets or exposed wires and either dispose of or repair them. Invest in light-emitting diode (LED) lights for your holiday decorating. LED lights are more energy efficient and safer because they aren’t combustible like ordinary lights. Don’t leave the lights on when you’re away from home or asleep. Never use lights on a metallic tree. Faulty lights can cause electrocution. Keep lights and wires away from children.

“The last thing anyone wants to experience during the holidays is a fire,” says Woodford. “Even though this time of year can be busy and stressful, take the time to decorate and celebrate safely.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent