I finally got the lights on our Christmas tree. We went out to Elizabeth Christmas Tree Farm in Brickersville (sp?), PA to find our live tree. They didn't have many to choose from this year in the size range we go for, 9-10 feet. I ended up taking down a 10 1/2 foot tree. This might be the biggest tree we've ever brought into the house, it's really wide. I have it pushed back into the corner of the room and the branches on the backside are smashed up against the wall and still it seems to be coming out into the room more than other trees we've had. So did I put enough lights up? I think I need more up top. :) I think I have around 1,400-1,500 bulbs strung in the tree. That might be a record for me.
Next step is to bust out the ornaments. Last year our tree fell over! It smashed some of our good ornaments, but it wasn't a total loss. I think what happend was I didn't have it perfectly balanced and after it sucked up 4-6 gallons of water it got heavier, and also with the addition of a lot of ornaments, it just went over. From that point on I now wire the tree to the cabinent that sits behind it, which is attached to the wall. I will never have another tree fall over. Nothing worse than seeing your Christmas tree (a big live one) smashing to the floor with broken ornaments under it, shattered all over the carpet. That kinda takes away from the whole Happy Holidays thing. :)
Here are some photos from the tree farm, last picture is our tree, before I sentanced it to a slow death by drying out: http://picasaweb.google.com/wadefulpng /TreeFarm2007
I'd also like to state that while I feel bad about cutting down a live tree, I do realize I am supporting a Christmas tree farm, which as long as they have paying customers, they will replant more trees and there will awlays be trees there. If people didn't come buy live trees and cut them down, they would most likely sell the land to be developed with houses, made into a golf course, etc. So when you buy a live tree you are helping to support tree farmers that will continue to grow trees on their land.
Pissed-Off-Plunger
Fake Trees FTW.
But really Wade, you outdid yourself. Now you're going to have to buy enough presents to fit under it.
WadeFulp
I like live trees better than fake, but live trees are A LOT more work, and you have to check their water 2-3 times a day, especially when you first bring them in. This thing has already taken in 3 gallons. We have the presents taken care of.
What's really cool is we have one of those iRobot Roomba vaccums, and it does a pretty good job of picking up the needles. So everyday it automatically starts up and vacuums my downstairs and will keep up with the dropped needles. :) Last year I had to drag out the big vacuum all the time. I'm hoping this won't drop many needles though.