Use these tips to make Christmas tree maintenance stress-free.
13 Christmas Tree Hacks That Will Make the Holidays Less Stressful
Published on Nov. 05, 2024
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Tighten Bolts the Easy Way
Tightening the bolts on most Christmas tree stands is a pain, literally, and it takes forever. To save time and your hands, get a little help from your electric drill. Start by using a hacksaw to cut off the little ‘L’ at the end of the tree stand bolts. Chuck the ends of the bolts into your drill and tighten them. You’ll have your tree locked down in minutes.
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Secure the Tree
If you’re concerned about your Christmas tree standing firmly on your carpet, put the stand on a piece of 1/4-in. hardboard. You can get 4 x 8-ft. sheets, or smaller, at any home center. If you really want to lock it down, use 1/4-in. pan head machine screws to mount the tree stand to the wood. If you have wood or tile floors, just put some duct tape over the screw heads so they don’t scratch the floor.
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Knee-Saving Watering Technique
Watering your Christmas tree is essential. “Using plain tap water every day is the best way to keep your tree green as long as possible,” says Piepenbrink. “The first few days, you may even want to check twice a day to be sure it’s taking as much water as it can.”
But squeezing under a tree with a watering can is a little difficult; so to make watering easier, hang a funnel with a plastic tube attached to the end of it from a tree branch (or you can even use a thick cardboard tube). Then, run the tube along the trunk and into the water reservoir.
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No-Spill Christmas Tree
“With all the watering needed to keep your tree alive, you’re risking a terrible rust stain if you don’t create a barrier between the stand and your floors,” says Piepenbrink. One easy method is to use a plastic snow saucer, the kind with the flat area in the center, underneath the tree stand. If you have wood floors, use a carpet remnant or an extra bath mat to put under the saucer to prevent scratches.
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Buy a Tree Bag
Slip a tree disposal bag over the base of the tree before putting it in the stand. Don’t forge to tear a slit for the trunk so the tree can get water. The bag is hidden under the tree skirt until you’re ready to haul the tree out the door—without leaving a trail of needles through the house. Just remove the ornaments from the tree, pull the bag up, and you’re on your way!
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Use Automatic Lights
To prevent fires, the American Christmas Tree Association advises that your Christmas tree lights should be rated UL or ETL/ITSNA for safety, and to always turn lights off before going to bed. Use smart lights or lights with a built-in timer to make this job easier. Simply set the turn-off time, and you’ll never run the risk of forgetting to unplug them each night.
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Hook for Tall Trees
Putting up and taking down holiday lights on a tall tree can be tricky. The easiest hack we’ve found is to use a paint roller extension pole with a hook on the end. You can use a wire coat hanger or other heavy-gauge wire. Just embed it in the pole threads, bend the wire up into a hook and secure it with duct tape to keep the hook from sliding around the pole.
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Soft Artificial Tree Binding
When dismantling our artificial Christmas tree, we always used the ribbons it was originally packed with to tie up the boughs of each section. Last year, the ribbons finally wore out and we couldn’t find a strong enough replacement. Instead, we came up with a terrific substitute—self-adhesive ‘bandage’ wrap. The wrap is strong and reusable, it won’t damage the tree and it’s not very expensive.
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Easy Tree Stand Rule
Here’s a simple hack for buying the correct size tree stand. “An easy formula is: for every foot in height, expect an inch in diameter of your tree trunk. So if you’ve got a 7 foot tall Christmas tree make sure your tree stand can accommodate up to a seven-inch diameter trunk,” says Piepenbrink. Typically, the trunk will be a bit smaller, but the inch to foot rule makes it easy to ensure you’re prepared!
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Skip the Skirt
With all the expenses this holiday season, here’s a quick hack that will save you money on that expensive tree skirt or collar. Piepenbrink says, “Hide your Christmas tree stand with decor or presents! If your packages are already wrapped, tuck them under the lowest boughs to hide your stand.” Plus, without the skirt or collar, the water reservoir will be more accessible when it’s time for a refill.
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Trim the Trunk for Better Watering
When purchasing your tree from a tree lot, “make sure your tree man cuts two inches off the bottom of the tree trunk, allowing it to drink more water,” says Walsh. Water absorption is crucial during the first few days to ensure a long-lasting tree. And keep the water coming! A freshly-cut tree will soak up about a gallon of water in a day.
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Reduce Watering with Granules
If you buy your tree early in the season, or live in an extra dry climate, here’s a hack to keep your tree hydrated. “There is a product called Tree Moist that prevents dry-out. It’s a solution that turns the water into a non-toxic, safe-for-tree gel that encourages hydration,” says Walsh. The granules are said to reduce tree watering frequency, which also makes it handy if you’ll be out of town for a few days.
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Use Tree Cuttings for Extra Decor
If you need a few branches removed off the bottom of the tree, ask the tree lot employees to trim the tree for you. “Most locations can prune for your desired size or shape,” says Walsh, “And insider tip for decorating your home: don’t forget to bring your clippings home to repurpose them into a DIY holiday wreath or a festive tablescape!”
About the Experts
- Greg Walsh is the owner of Greg’s Trees, known for delivering holiday spirit to New Yorkers for over 36 years. The tree lot promises festive and fresh decor, and a wholesome shopping experience where you might even catch a glimpse of Greg himself decked out as Santa.
- Emily Piepenbrink is an artist, designer, and Christmas enthusiast. Her blog, Merrie Company, is devoted to colorful Christmas decor, original Christmas tree ideas, and easy Christmas DIYs. Her advice has been featured in Vogue, Women’s Heath, Good Housekeeping, and more.
