Washington County Weekend Post

People have visited forests to select their Christmas trees for cen- turies. While tree sellers conveniently stationed in store parking lots and artificial trees displayed in various retailers have led fewer people to ven- ture into the wilderness, the Christmas tree is still an important com- ponent of holiday cele- brations. Long before the spread of Christianity, evergreen plants and trees held spe- cial meaning for people during the winter. Boughs and garlands were hung in homes and over doors and windows to repel evil spirits and illnesses. On the winter solstice, the greenery would represent that spring would once again arrive and banish win- ter's dreariness. Germans who decorated trees inside of their homes are credited with starting Christian Christmas tree tradi- tions during the 16th century. Early Americans were late to adopt Christmas trees because early Puritan settlers thought the tra- dition — as well as carols and other concepts — were Pagan influences. It took the popularity of England's Queen Victoria and her German Prince Albert appearing around a deco- rated Christmas tree to eventually win over much of Europe, Canada and the United States. Trees are very popular today. According to StatisticsBrain, 10 mil- lion artificial trees are sold in the United States each year, while 34.5 mil- lion real tress are sold annually. Such trees require decorating, and the following secrets and tips can help celebrants do just that. • Prune the tree first. Be sure to shape the tree as desired, since natural trees will have branches sticking out. Wear gar- dening gloves to avoid being covered in sap. • Position trees away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, vents or radiators, which can cause the tree to dry out prematurely and become a fire risk. • For added safety, anchor a tree to a wall or ceiling, so it will not tumble over onto chil- dren or curious pets. • In homage of the first German Christmas trees, decorate with nat- ural ingredients, such as berries and pinecones. Also, use apples, nuts and marzipan candies. • To free up more space for presents, place a nar- row tree stand inside of a waterproof planting container. Place the tree inside. This will provide a more streamlined look that's neater than a tree skirt. • The more lights the bet- ter, especially on dense trees. • For a whimsical approach, match the tree decor to home decor and the color of furniture. • Make handcrafted ornaments with the whole family. • Hang the most delicate pieces toward the top where they won't be dis- turbed. • Step back and enjoy your handiwork, which will also give you a chance to find any blank spots that need filling in. Tree trimming is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the holiday season, and there are no rules other than safety guidelines when it comes to decorating. HL17A364 1 1 - 1 9 - 1 7 • W a s h i n g t o n C o u n t y P o s t R e t a i l • 3 258239 013 Commercial & Residential $29.95 and up, 6-16 ft Starting at $24.95, 6-12 ft Rick's Tree Lot Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours! Celebrating Over 60 years of tree growing! Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9am "Cut Your Own" until dusk CHRISTMAS TREES Available Friday, Saturday and Sunday After Thanksgiving NOFFKE TREE FARMS 10341 N. GRANVILLE RD. - MEQUON, WI 53097 (Located on the Corner of Granville Rd. & Donges Bay Rd.) PRE-CUT or CUT YOUR OWN Handmade Wreaths & Swags, also boughs and accessories. Enjoy a cup of Hot Chocolate or Apple Cider in our indoor shop! 262-242-5157 Visit our Website @ www.noffketrees.com We have a large selection of Balsam; Fraser, Scotch, White Pine and Colorado Spruce. Present this ad for $ 3 00 off any tree purchase. 258093002 r r s TM Balsams & Frasers Sheared & Unsheared Naturals White Pine • North Carolina Fraser Fir Canaan Firs • Black Hill Spruce • ("Charlie Brown ") Handmade Wreaths • Garland Roping • Boughs • Swags Distinctive Kissing Balls • Cemetery Wreaths w/Stand 258132003 s Free Popcorn, Hot Chocolate & Snacks $ 5 Off Any Single Item $35 or More 1 coupon per visit • not valid w/other offers $ 10 Off Any Single Item $85 or More 1 coupon per visit • not valid w/other offers Table Tops 3-4ft. LANDSCAPE SUPPLY LLC All Reasonably Priced Starting at $20.00 QUALITY FRESH CUT CHRISTMAS TREES Full Service Tree Lot 4ft to 18ft (262) 338-8800 OPEN DAILY 9am - 9pm 5470 River Rd, West Bend South of Paradise Roundabout pmflandscape.com 2017 Christmas Trees & Holiday Florals Directory Festive tree-trimming tips and techniques

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