Know where to put your tree<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you’re investing in a real Christmas tree, it\u2019s worth knowing the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts of tree placement. This is particularly important if you\u2019re tempted to place your tree front and centre, to show it off in all its twinkly glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA bay window will likely be the desired place for a Christmas tree,\u201d explains Emily Simmons, creative director at innovative interiors brand Ruggable<\/a>.<\/p> \u201cHowever, although a real Christmas tree does need sunlight, too much direct sunlight can dry the tree out and block natural light coming into your room when placed directly in front of the window, which can make your room darker and colder.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, Simmons suggests placing your real Christmas tree to the side of the window or nearer a window that isn’t a south-facing one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis way, your tree will still get the light it needs, without giving it too much direct sunlight,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe natural light will be able to dazzle your tree decor as well, adding to the festive feeling in your home.\u201d<\/p> It\u2019s also important to keep real trees away from other heat sources like candles, room heaters and radiators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEven a slight increase in temperature can accelerate the drying process of the tree, heightening the risk of fire,\u201d explains property expert Thomas Goodman from MyJobQuote<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEnsure a safe distance of at least 3ft between the tree and heat-emitting elements. This distance mitigates the tree\u2019s exposure to heat, reducing the likelihood of drying out prematurely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it\u2019s always tempting to go big when it comes to your tree, it\u2019s important to think about protecting your floors. <\/p> \u201c6ft Christmas trees, often weighing over 100 pounds, pose potential damage to carpet and hardwood floors,\u201d Goodman warns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen choosing your tree, opt for a robust, broad-based stand to evenly distribute its weight and therefore minimise damage. To safeguard carpeting, place a protective mat or thick fabric beneath the tree to prevent indentations. For hardwood floors, utilise a rubber pad under the stand to shield the surface.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Should you discover marks left upon removing the tree, Goodman suggests creating a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGently apply this to the affected area, lightly buff with a microfibre cloth to eliminate the marks, and ensure thorough drying to preserve the floor’s shine,\u201d he adds. <\/p> Sick of scrambling under the Christmas tree or moving furniture out the way to switch off your lights every night? It\u2019s time to get light smart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA smart plug can be used for any plug-in device, making it controllable remotely,\u201d explains Katie Georgeson, of 4lite<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis allows you to operate Christmas lights instantly from your smartphone or voice-controlled smart devices, with no need to fumble under the Christmas tree getting spiked by pine needles and bumping baubles off their branches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And in these cost of living laden times, smart plugs can also save on energy and therefore electricity bills as they actually turn sockets off, rather than leaving them on standby, which saps energy. Be gone vampire appliances<\/a>! <\/p> We may have only just dug out this year\u2019s Christmas decorations, but it\u2019s worth spending time thinking about putting them away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPreparation is key and this should begin from the year before,\u201d explains Jess Martin, decorations expert at Ginger Ray<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt might sound simple but organising your Christmas decorations well at the end of the season will make decorating next year a dream.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Martin suggests taking it one step further to save some serious time on either side – packing away this year and re-decorating next Christmas. Take a roll of cling-film and wrap it around your faux decorated tree to keep everything in place whilst it\u2019s in storage until next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWrap your lights and garlands around pieces of cardboard and tuck in at the end of the length to keep from tangling,\u201d Martin continues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Christmas](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Untitled-design-33-700x525.jpg\")
Protect your flooring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"gold](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/gold-christmas-tree-stand.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBe light smart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Untitled-design-30-700x525.jpg\")
Get prepped for next Christmas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"habitat](\"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Habitat-christmas-stair-garland-hallway.jpg\")